Following the outstanding success of the 2003 Final that was staged at the Welsh capital city’s stadium during April, the Rugby Football League (RFL) has confirmed that they have reached agreement with the Millennium Stadium Company to return the prestigious fixture to Cardiff for a second successive year.
Although the date has been agreed with the RFL’s Challenge Cup broadcast partners, the BBC, a kick off time has yet to be confirmed.
Richard Lewis, the Rugby Football League’s Executive Chairman, said: “We are delighted to confirm that the Millennium Stadium will host the 2004 Powergen Challenge Cup Final.
“Everybody connected with the game was delighted by the way in which the 2003 Final was staged by the stadium and the welcome afforded to our fans by the Welsh people.”
He added: “We have waited to see how playing the Powergen Challenge Cup Final in Cardiff was received by the Rugby League public in particular and sports fans in general as well as being properly de-briefed following the 2003 event before confirming the placing of the 2004 Final.
“More importantly the fact that the newly laid pitch for this year’s FA Cup Final proved very successful means that the 2004 Powergen Challenge Cup Final can be played a week before the FA Cup Final.
“We are due to return to Wembley in 2006 but we have built into this new agreement the option of playing at the Millennium Stadium in 2005 and 2006 should Wembley’s rebuilding run into any unforeseen delays.”
A crowd of 70,000 plus packed into the Millennium Stadium to see Bradford Bulls beat Leeds Rhinos in the first Powergen Challenge Cup Final to be staged in Wales on Saturday, April 26.
“The feedback we got from players and fans of both teams about the historic first staging of the Powergen Challenge Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium was all very positive and we’re delighted such a prestigious event will be returning next year,” said WRU Group Chief Executive David Moffett.
“With an option to return for two more years, we hope the Millennium Stadium will be a real home-from-home for Rugby League fans while they await a return to a rebuilt Wembley.”
Paul Sargeant, the Millennium Stadium General Manager said: “The Powergen Challenge Cup Final is one of the biggest events in the UK sporting calendar and it is a feather in the cap of the Millennium Stadium to win the right to host it once again next year.
“With the RFL having an option to return for 2005 and 2006, we will be doing all we can to ensure that next year’s event is an even bigger success than it was this April for the teams, the fans, the stadium and Cardiff.”
Mike Thompson, Powergen’s Sponsorship Manager, said: “The reaction we have received from fans to the Millennium Stadium has been very positive and we’ re looking forward to going back in 2004 for another exciting day in Rugby League”.
Councillor Marion Drake, the Cardiff Council cabinet member for culture and sport, says: “We are delighted that the Powergen Challenge Cup Final will once again be held in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in 2004. The 2003 Final was a wonderful event, which was well supported by Rugby League supporters and we are delighted that we can hold the event next year.”
