Principality stadium

[HelenHen]

I'm taking my kids to their first 6 Nations match next year.

Accommodation is already quite expensive. Is it a reasonable option to drive to Cardiff early that morning and park for the day? We won't be in a rush after the match.

If not, can anyone recommend Accommodation close to Cardiff with good transport links, that may be reasonably priced?

Finally, we've been to many club matches, and sometimes if you hang around for a while, a few players come out and sign autographs/pose for photos for kids. Does this happen at international matches?

Any other tips and suggestions would be welcome 🙏

Thank you

There's trains coming down from the valleys but they get full on match days plus hotels still put their prices up.

One option could be park and ride, Transport for Wales has a lot of information about it on their website. Again they are likely to be busier during match days so definitely plan ahead.

tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/road/park-and-ride/cardiff

Thank you. Can you suggest any specific towns please? We don't mind travelling early in the day to beat the crowds.

You could try parking in Newport, there's a pay and display car park at Newport Civic centre which is right next to the train station, then get the train from there.
That's what I normally do for concerts. Trains to and from Cardiff are every 15 - 29 minutes

It's not that hard to park if you're early. We have used park and ride previously, or street parking off Tyndall Street, or one of the city centre multi storeys. If you want a sit down lunch definitely book somewhere. Have a great time, Cardiff on a match day is something else!

Thanks again. I've just had another look and managed to book future inn Cardiff Bay for the night before at a reasonable price. We'll get there early on the Friday and have a full day, then drive home after the match the next day 😊

Thanks for the tip about booking for lunch.

I'm so excited for this 😆

Have a wonderful time -the atmosphere in the Principality is really special!

You need to get photos of the DC with Shenkin (or current) Regimental Goat. Forget the players!

Leave the car at Future Inn on match day as the roads in the town centre around the stadium will be closed (though you could park in a multi storey at the other end of Queen St).
There is a rail link between the Bay and Central, or you could walk it depending on how old the DC are (mile and a half, flat easy walking). Trains will be crowded post match.

Thanks. I have been to 6 nations matches before. I've been to the principality before for concerts. But I have never been to a 6N match at the Principality. My kids have never been to either. They will be ridiculously excited.

Does anyone know if there is any chance of meeting players though?

Perfect, thank you. We will probably walk in. Theyre 10 & 12. Definitely leaving the car though. Hopefully it will be OK to leave the car as we will be checking out that day. I'll check with the hotel.

It really will be so special and the atmosphere and singing will be spine tingling . The Welsh can sing 😊

Have a great time.

Yes, it always looks spectacular. I was surprised that the tickets were easy enough to get.

The whole city is alive on international day, you'll have a ball

Will you have time to perhaps to the stadium tour or scaling the roof? Not sure if you can do those the day before/after the match.

You'll not want to go anywhere else after experiencing match day in Cardiff.

If you use an app like Just Park you can book a parking spot in advance and walk to the stadium. We've always parked and gone to matches and it's never been a problem as long as you're ok with a 15-20 min walk.

Probably not. I think we'll have enough time in the stadium, given that our time will be fairly limited.

Is there much else out by the Future Inn that we could explore the day before? Or should we head into the city centre?

It's a fabulous stadium, such a good atmosphere. You'll have a ball. 😊
Make sure you book somewhere for food well in advance too as Cardiff isn't massive and everywhere gets booked up.

Another way to do it would be to park at the Bay and get a water taxi in. That's good fun! Lots of food options in the Bay too.

Will do, thank you. We will have breakfast at the hotel anyway, so will probably just grab a hot dog or something around the stadium. I will look at booking something for afterwards though because we'll have a decent drive.

Should I book food for the Friday too?

Oh wow, I love this. The kids would love this too 😊 it would definitely add to the excitement of the day. Thanks

@HelenHen just saw you've booked hotel at the Bay so this would be a great option!

We've been to Cardiff for the 6Nations a few times, and always booked an Airbnb for 2 nights. Cardiff is such a lively city to wander around, it has everything - rugby, pubs, castle, shopping, bay...

We have just booked for Edinburgh Murrayfield in Feb, and been a bit shocked at the prices over 6N weekends!

We’ve done this often - you can booked pre paid parking close to the stadium and drive.

If you’re keen to meet the players, one of the teams usually stays at St David’s hotel in the bay. We normally go there for dinner after and meet the players.

Ooohh fantastic, thank you