I love rugby days. Cardiff, the Welsh capital, truly comes alive on match day. Alongside red dragon painted faces and daffodil hats, there is an array of characterful drinking and dining restaurants within stumbling distance. There are plenty of hotels and places to stay, it is easy to navigate, and there are world-class attractions to see. Check out the rugby fans guide to Cardiff.
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Locals and visitors alike will tell you that there is nothing better than the atmosphere in Cardiff on an international rugby day! Even if you’re not the biggest fan, the energy, fun and entertainment that lasts throughout the day and into the night is second to none. To take the strain out of planning your time in Cardiff, South Wales, I’ve put together everything you need to know about rugby matches in Cardiff in this rugby fans guide to Cardiff. All you’ll need to worry about is the final score.
Rugby Match Cardiff
Principality Stadium (formally the Millennium Stadium)
Wales is one of the proudest rugby nations. The Principality Stadium sits up to 74,500 supporters and is one of the world’s most incredible venues. It is the second-largest rugby football stadium in the world, with a fully retractable roof. It was built to host the 1999 rugby world cup and is the home of Welsh international football, Welsh rugby and has even hosted the FA Cup Final, Olympic football matches and several Speedway events. The Millennium Stadium gates are spread out. There are seven of them, so check which direction you need to head in beforehand.
Cardiff Arms Park
Next door to the Principality Stadium is the Cardiff Arms Park. The historical park is now home to the Cardiff Blues. It was initially called The Great Park, after the swampy meadow behind the Cardiff Arms Hotel – which was built by Sir Thomas Morgan during the reign of Charles I. The first game with spectators was in 1891. It has had several redevelopments over the years. The Cardiff Arms Park capacity is 12,125.
The Six Nations Championship
February and March mean one thing for rugby fans in the UK, the Six Nations. The men’s, women’s and under-20s teams take part. Every year Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy battle it out to be the winner. It used to be called the Home Nations Championship before France joined in 1947 and Italy in 2000.
Autumn Internationals
Giant of the southern hemisphere, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia tour Europe during the autumn. The rugby union teams take on Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland on the weekends in November. Each team typically plays three or four test matches.
Rugby at Cardiff – Getting around
Train
Cardiff is a compact city, and it is effortless to get around. The Principality Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park are a 5-minute walk from Cardiff Central Station or 10-minutes if you decide to get off at Queen Street. The station does get busy after the match, and a queuing system will be in operation. Also, the trains stop running around 11pm, depending on your final destination. If kick-off is at 8 pm, plan your travel times accordingly. It is advised to book tickets in advance with Transport for Wales.
With stops in The Valleys, Taffs Well, Radyr, Whitchurch, Llandaff North, Cathays, the train stops at Queen Street and Cardiff Central in the city centre. You can also get to Cardiff Bay. Transport for Wales now offers Multiflex, which gives you 12 journeys for the same price as 5 returns. And, who doesn’t want to save money? Especially when you can spend the savings on rugby!
Bus
Cardiff Bus has many routes across the city. You can pay in advance or by card. Please have the correct fare ready if you pay with cash, as they do not give change. Extra services are provided on match days, but there may be different stops and routes due to road closures.
You can travel to Cardiff by coach from most UK cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh. The National Express Coach terminal is at Sophia Gardens, about a 15-minute walk to the stadium.
The Megabus also has stops in Cardiff, outside the Cardiff University Students Union and on Greyfriars Road. There are over 90 destinations, and you can expect free WiFi and charging points for your gadgets. The buses are easily recognisable by their distinctive blue and yellow branding. Fares start from £1.
Taxi
There are various taxi ranks around the city centre, and if they have their light on, you can flag them down. All fares should be on the metre unless you are leaving the city boundaries. If the driver tries to negotiate the fare, please get out and find an official taxi. Pre-booking is highly advised. Uber is also in Cardiff.
Cardiff Taxi Firms:
Dragon Taxis – Telephone 02920 333333
Premier Cars – Telephone 02920 555555
Cardiff Taxis – Telephone 02920 777777
Fly
Cardiff is about a 30-minute drive from Cardiff Airport. An express bus service, the T9, operates from the terminal to the city centre. A bus also connects you to Rhoose train station, which takes about 30-minute. Bristol Airport is also close and takes around 50-minutes by car. Again, bus and rail transfers are available.
Rugby Cardiff – Food, drink and entertainment
Bars and pubs in Cardiff
You can expect queues forming outside some of the city’s more popular drinking dens before midday. Be warned, the Welsh love to drink – 18 things you learn when you drink with Welsh people.
Pubs
Many of the best bars, pubs and restaurants are a stone’s throw away from the stadium. For pre-game drinks, The City Arms is outside the Principality Stadium and has a great selection of Welsh ales. There’s also Tiny Rebel serving their own microbrewing creations.
No matter who’s playing, The Prince of Wales on St Mary Street always draws a crowd. Further along the street is Brewhouse, who usually have match day offers, O’Neils (there may even be live music), The Philharmonic, which is popular with the trendy crowd, The Yard, and The Borough. For an authentic Cardiff rugby experience, head to The Old Arcade on Church Street, which feature walls covered in rugby memorabilia.
Cocktails
The Cardiff Castle end of St Mary Street has stylish bars for wine and cocktail lovers, including The Libertine, The Alchemist and Temple Bar. Nighthawks is opposite the castle and Bootlegger on Womanby Street. There’s also Mill Lane with Peppermint, Mocka Lounge, Las Iguanas and Retro, who play the best music from the 90s.
For something different, how about NQ64? It is an arcade bar filled with UV lighting, neon paint, and retro arcade games. The classic consoles, Nintendo, X-Box, PlayStation, Sega, are free to play too. All of the cocktails are named after games and characters too.
All you can eat in Cardiff
Best places to eat in Cardiff City Centre
There are over 75 restaurants in the city centre, so you’ll find a restaurant to suit any taste, from Thai restaurants to steak to vegan. Make sure you try some Welsh food, including a Welsh Rarebit. Most bars and pubs that usually serve food will have a reduced menu on match day. This will probably be easy to eat with your hands like burgers, hotdogs, pizza and chips. If you would like more formal dining, you will need to book a table in advance, and you may be asked for a deposit.
Get 50% off food in Cardiff
So, did you know you can get 2 for 1 on meals or 50% off food with a Tastecard? There are independent and chain restaurants to choose from and a variety of cuisines. Get a 2-month free trial here:
Breakfast
Uncommon Ground is a family-run speciality coffee bar in the Royal Arcade with a relaxed vibe and hearty options like breakfast burritos. Or Little Man Coffee has over 25 roasters to try with basement bakes. Bottomless brunch is also popular. Depending on the restaurant, you have one or two dishes off the menu with unlimited prosecco for 90 minutes. Some also include lager, cider and cocktails.
Lunch
For quick eats, head to Cardiff Market, which dates back to the 1700’s. Get some cockles from Ashton Fishmongers, seasoned with salt and vinegar. Ffwrnes Pizza offers great value wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked while you wait. Cardiff is also known as the City of Arcades, and here you’ll find quaint cafes. For grub on the go, New York Deli has enormous sandwiches. Or sit in the quaint tea rooms of Waterloo Tea or Coffee Barker.
You could even book an afternoon tea. What could be better than sandwiches, scones, and cakes washed down with tea or coffee. Here’s everywhere you can get afternoon tea in Cardiff. Don’t forget to check out the street food in Cardiff, burgers from Hubbox or pizza and cider in The Stable.
Dinner
There are so many fantastic independent restaurants producing quality, affordable food in Cardiff. You’ll find your favourite chain restaurants too. If you’re looking to make an impression, this list of Cardiff restaurants will give you brownie points. For something really memorable, try Chapel 1877, a top-class restaurant housed in a renovated church. Or, The Potted Pig, which is in a former bank vault.
Of course, if you’re visiting Wales, you need to try Welsh food. From a mouth-watering lamb cawl to a Welsh-inspired pizza, Cardiff is overflowing with authentic dishes. Welsh rarebit, laverbread – seaweed from the west coast, Welsh cakes, bara brith and Glamorgan sausages are traditional Welsh foods. Welsh lamb, leeks and mussels are seen as some of the best Welsh ingredients.
Cardiff nightlife reviews
There are big UK chain clubs like Tiger Tiger. However, Cardiff institutions are Live Lounge, where there is live music all day (except when the game is on) and a DJ until the early hours. Clwb Ifor Bach, known as the Welsh Club, is an alternative venue with three floors of music from indie to drum and bass. Most bars and clubs are open until 2am – at least. Some close at 6am. Cardiff is known for its nightlife.
Before you call it a night, another ‘famous’ place is Caroline Street, known locally as Chippy Lane. Every local has their preferred chip shop. Do you choose Dorothy’s or Tony’s? A delicacy is chicken curry off the floor (chicken curry off the bone) served on a generous portion of chips. There’s also kebab houses, pizza and fried chicken.
Where to stay
This rugby fans guide to Cardiff wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t inform you that hotel prices can be raised on match day. If you know when you’d like to travel, try to book in advance, and as soon as possible. However, there is a vast array to accommodate all budgets. Mrs Potts and NosDa Hostel are great for travellers on a budget, with dormitory-style accommodation.
A short walk from the city centre, Cathedral Road has characterful bed and breakfasts such as Lincoln House and Cathedral 73. Whereas Cardiff Bay is just a train stop or a short taxi ride away.
The Copthorne
The Copthorne, part of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, is a traditional 4-star hotel in Cardiff that is ideally located between the city centre and the coast of Barry Island. Ideal for business travellers, couples or families, it is a perfect base. You can expect free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and modern in-room amenities. Book early and save up to 20% off:
The Hilton Cardiff
For a luxurious stay, The Hilton Cardiff, in the heart of the city centre, has beautiful amenities, including a pool and health club. With Hilton Honors, you get exclusive perks when you stay at more than 6,700 hotels around the world. Members receive Points on every stay, which can be turned into free nights.
Plan a Trip with Expedia
Booking a hotel via Expedia is a seamless experience that offers convenience and choice at your fingertips. With just a few clicks, you can browse through a wide array of cosy boutique hotels to luxurious resorts, tailored to your preferences and budget. Compare prices, read reviews from fellow travellers, and explore amenities, ensuring you find the perfect place to stay for your trip.
Create your Itinerary
Using TripAdvisor when booking a hotel allows you to access a wealth of reviews and ratings from fellow travellers, helping you make an informed decision on where to stay, while also providing recommendations and insights on planning things to do during your trip.
The surrounding areas
Don’t be afraid of staying out of central Cardiff either. Penarth, Barry, Caerphilly and Merthyr Tydfil are the surrounding areas connected by regular buses and trains. You can also plan with LastMinute.com. Stay at great hotels at a fraction of the price.
In Bridgend, The Best Western Heronston Hotel & Spa is a 30-minute drive away. The hotel is in a semi-rural area. You’ll be near both the coast and the countryside. The leisure club and spa offer an indoor heated pool, spa treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, spa pool, and a fully equipped gym with free parking and free WiFi.
The award-winning business, Sykes Cottages, has properties across the UK, and the ones near Cardiff are beautiful. From cosy lodges with traditional woodburning stoves to contemporary accommodation with a hot tub. With all the amenities you could need, including parking, WiFi and many dog-friendly places, check out Sykes Holiday Cottages.
Things to do
The capital city may be relatively small but packs a punch with visitor attractions. A visit to Cardiff Castle is a must, and it is a 5-minute walk from the rugby stadium. But there are plenty of castles in Cardiff to visit.
Nearby, you’ll find the National Museum of Wales. The museum has something to offer everyone, from impressionist paintings to gigantic dinosaurs. Entry is free, and there are daily 35-minute tours from 12.30pm each day. If you can, head to St Fagans Natural History Museum on the city’s outskirts to get a real feel for Welsh life. Check out my things to do in Cardiff reviews.
Book a Tour
Embarking on a tour with Viator promises an enriching and hassle-free experience that’s hard to beat. You’re not just booking a tour; it’s an expertly crafted itinerary curated by locals and seasoned travellers, ensuring you uncover the hidden gems and must-see attractions. From walking tours to culinary adventures and everything in between, Viator offers an extensive range of options tailored to diverse interests and budgets.
FREE Visit Cardiff Checklist & Guide
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