STADIUM ADDS HEINEKEN CUP FINAL TO 2006 EVENTS LIST
It will be the second time the stadium has hosted the top European tournament’s prestigious final and it will be the fourth time in 11 years the final has been played in Cardiff.
It means the Millennium Stadium will host eight major rugby occasions during the 2005/06 season, starting with the WRU’s 125th anniversary season match between Wales and New Zealand in November and culminating in the return of the Heineken Cup final 10 years on from the inaugural final at the old Cardiff Arms Park in 1996.
“It will be great to have the Heineken Cup final back in Cardiff and it will round off a fantastic season of international rugby at the Millennium Stadium,” said WRU chief executive David Moffett. “With four games in the Autumn Series, three RBS Six Nations home matches and then the Heineken Cup final, rugby fans throughout Europe will have plenty of top class action to watch at the Millennium Stadium. We could have more than 600,000 fans at the eight matches which will mean further financial windfalls for the Welsh economy.
“We are delighted to have been part of the ‘Team Wales’ partnership approach that won the bid to bring the Heineken Cup final back ‘home’ to Cardiff. The Millennium Stadium is arguably the premier rugby venue in the world and it is no surprise that when it comes to hosting major sporting events, the Millennium Stadium is top of every governing body’s list.”
Paul Sergeant, the Millennium Stadium general manager said, “Together with all the other partners in this bid, our collective goal is to create an unforgettable weekend of rugby for supporters from all over Europe.”
Sergeant has wasted no time in setting the ball rolling for next year’s Heineken Cup final with tickets on sale from today (Tuesday May 17). Reservations are also being taken for corporate hospitality.
“The 2002 Heineken Cup final between Leicester Tigers and Munster still stands as our record gate at the Millennium Stadium. We had to install extra seats and we had a crowd of 74,600 that day,” said Sergeant. “That will be our target for 2006 and we would love to see one of the Welsh regions reach the final.
“Cardiff made the inaugural final in 1996 so, 10 years on, it is time that one of the regions followed suit and brought the Heineken Cup to Wales for the first time.”
Gareth Thomas will be bidding to become only the eighth Welsh player to pick up a Heineken Cup winners medal in Edinburgh this weekend when he turns out for Toulouse against Stade Francais Paris in the 10th anniversary final at Murrayfield. The last Welsh winner, Rob Howley, has agreed to become an Ambassador for the 2006 final.
“Winning the Heineken Cup with London Wasps last year was without a doubt one of the major highlights of my career,” said Howley, who scored the winning try at Twickenham against Toulouse. “It is a brilliant tournament that offers as a superb level of competition between domestic and Test match rugby for the players and fans.
“I intend to spread the gospel of the Heineken Cup, the Millennium Stadium and rugby as a whole during my year as an Ambassador for the final and I am looking forward to seeing the cream of European rugby battling for the right to be crowned champions in Cardiff next May.”
Tickets for the 2006 Heineken Cup final are on sale from today on 08705 582 582 or via www.ticketmaster.co.uk priced at £45, £35, £25, £15 for adults and £25, £20, £15, £10 for concessions.
There is also a Family Four Pack at £99.
Reservations are also being taken for corporate hospitality – call 029 2082 2408 / 029 2082 2410 / 029 2082 2411 / 029 2082 2413 for information.
