Cardiff on Match-Day

[HelenHen]

Is it a reasonable idea to drive to Cardiff a few hours before kick off on Match Day? (6 Nations at Principality)

We don't mind getting there well before kick off, and won't be in a rush to leave after the match either.

Where would be a good place to park if we did this?

If its not a good idea, is there a village or town near to Cardiff, with good match day transfers, where we could stay for a night or two?

Also any suggestions of things to do in Cardiff (with kids) would be welcome please. They haven't been before.

Thanks 😊

Just giving this a little bump for you.
There must be either some Cardiff MNers on here, or some people who have travelled for matches before.

Thank you. Since I posted, I managed to find a decent hotel in the Cardiff bay area at a reasonable price for the night before the match.

We will have a full day the day before though, and would love any suggestions of things to do

If you are staying in the bay and don't mind some more outdoor activity, there are speed boats which go out beyond the barage for a fun adventure.

You can walk/train/bus it into town from the bay and visit the castle or museum before the match, both are decent. Town will be buzzing with a great atmosphere too. Depends what kind of rugby session you are aiming for but there's loads of great places to eat, booking essential on match day.

Have a great time!

Thank you. That all sounds awesome.

Is there anywhere you could recommend that we go after the match that would be kid friendly, showing the next match and serving food? (Bonus if the food is good 😁 )

Mmmm now that is proper tricky. Are wales playing?

how old are the kids and what game are you seeing?

Yes 😆 sorry I know I've given you the impossible. I'm just wondering if such a place exists. Otherwise we'll eat anything

Wales are playing in the principality. The Tv match would be england/Scotland

They're 10 and 12 and we're going to see Wales v Ireland (supporting Ireland)

The six nations are a big deal in wales and people come from all over to watch the game in the pubs of Cardiff, Ireland also like to party and there will be thousands of Irish fans who come to make the most of a weekend away. The atmosphere will be fun, lots of singing & people dressed up ect. The pubs will be packed so you may be better off heading back to the bay for food after the game. There are lots of restaurants & pubs serving food there that will be great for kids.
all of the pubs will show the England game, although most people will be supporting Scotland.
they usually have a fan zone with big screens ect to watch the games on which is set up with families in kind but I’m not sure if you need to book tickets.
some of the pubs (like weatherspoons) put their prices up when there is something going on in the stadium, which is nice lol.
the streets around the stadium will be closed to traffic for most of the day so it’s a bit easier to walk places than drive. You can get a train to the bay which is one stop. Or it’s not that far to walk.
the day before you could do the castle, or in the bay they do speed boat rides etc. the red dragon center in the bay has cinema, bowling, restaurants etc

Also if you did want to eat in town (what we call the city centre), there are restaurants like Nando’s, tgi Fridays ect in st David’s shopping centre which won’t be as busy as places around the stadium. You will probs still need to book though.

Thank you so much. That's really helpful.

I've just spoken to the hotel though and they've advised that I couldn't leave my car there after checkout, which is annoying.

So it looks like I'll have to move my car the morning of the match, or stay elsewhere. If I move the car, are there car parks near future inn that would be easy to access on match day? Alternatively Premier Inn South is pricier, but I think I could pay to leave my car there for longer.

Can you please help me figure out which would be the best option? Future inn looks close to the bay, but premier inn seems to be in some kind of estate. Is either location better than the other, or a safer walk to town?

Sorry for the very specific questions, but I really stress over these things 😬

The pubs will be playing the match and it will be pretty full on post-match in town. I wouldn't count any of them as child friendly tbh!

St Fagans museum if open I think most children would enjoy.

Behind premier inn in the bay is a big carpark which would be easy to move the car too.

Future Inn is by the Red Dragon Centre, which has a huge car park. Travelodge is also in the same place. You can buy something in the centre and your parking will be validated for free, or you can just pay and display. You'll have good choice of public transport from there (train or bus) whereas you'll have to walk or drive from Premier Inn South.

Thanks, that's great. I think I'm all sorted now.

Yeh I think I know what you mean. I went to a concert at the principality years ago and I remember the pubs being a lot of fun... too much "fun" for children though 😆

I reckon we'll do all the sightseeing and restaurant eating the day before... but on match day, just slowly make our way back to the car taking in some fast foods. I'm not sure about England/Scotland. It could be that we have to miss it.

Thanks, I'm just looking into this one. I hadn't spotted that premier inn. I might change our hotel and stay there. I love a premier inn 😂

That's brilliant, thank you so much. I think the Q-park by the premier inn is also looking like a good option. I might just use it from the Friday morning. I don't really want to be moving the car at all

Future Inn car park outside the hotel is free if you are staying but you need to log your car when you arrive.

Transport in and out of Cardiff when there's rugby in the Principality stadium is horrendous, as is parking. Staying over the night before is a good idea.

There’s usually a Park and Ride service in County Hall on Match days - it’s just behind the Future Inn.

Most of the parking is gone now in county hall as they are getting ready to demolish the building. Not sure what the plans will be for park & ride next year.

two words : Good Luck ! Cardiff is both wonderful and hideous on match days, particularly when Wales are playing. Please make sure your kids are good with and in crowds before going.

Thank you. I appreciate and understand your concern.

I have taken them to other crowded events like concerts and other sporting events before. This will certainly be bigger, but they've been to 30k ish events before with a big crowd afterwards. I've been to principality for concerts before and I've been to even bigger stadiums for sports before, so I know what to expect. I am not concerned about that side of things, which is why I want to be as prepared as possible before I go.

We will get to the stadium super early, and will be in no rush to leave at the end.