The Principality Stadium, formerly known as the Millennium Stadium, is the national stadium of Wales, located in Cardiff.
The Principality Stadium, formerly known as the Millennium Stadium, is the national stadium of Wales, located in Cardiff. Opened in 1999, it was built to replace the National Stadium and to host the 1999 Rugby World Cup. It has a seating capacity of 73,931 for rugby and football matches and 78,000 for boxing events. The stadium features a fully retractable roof, making it a multi-purpose venue. It was the first in the UK to have this feature and the second in Europe.
The stadium is owned and operated by Millennium Stadium plc, a subsidiary of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). It was designed by Bligh Lobb Sports Architecture and constructed by Laing, with a total cost of £121 million, partially funded by the Millennium Commission. It is primarily the home ground of the Wales national rugby union team and has also hosted the Wales national football team games.
Major events include the 1999 Rugby World Cup, the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final, and the 2012 London Olympics football matches. It has hosted diverse events such as rugby league, motorsports, boxing, concerts, and conferences. It served as a temporary hospital, the Dragon's Heart Hospital, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The stadium's record attendance is over 78,000 during an Anthony Joshua boxing match. It is also used for popular concerts and cultural events, featuring artists like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and U2.
Notable features include 124 hospitality suites, a modular grass pitch, and efficient bar facilities capable of serving large crowds. Its location on the former Cardiff Arms Park site necessitated creative design to fit within the limited space. Renamed in 2016 under a sponsorship deal with Principality Building Society, the stadium remains a key venue for sports and entertainment in the UK.
