MILLENNIUM STADIUM TO HOST 2006 COMMUNITY SHIELD

Welsh Rugby Union | Club & Community Published 11:03 am 5th Apr 2006 post

It will be the sixth season in a row that Wales will host the curtain raiser to the big football kick-off and the Football Association’s return to the Millennium Stadium for their showpiece event will make it 44 major fixtures staged in Cardiff since Wembley closed.

The Millennium Stadium has hosted six Carling Cup and six Football League Trophy finals, is preparing for its sixth FA Cup final in May and will also entertain the three Football League play-off finals for the sixth year in a row next month. The FA Cup semi-finals were also staged in Cardiff last year.

“We have kept in close contact with the Football Association throughout the past 12 months and we are delighted to once again be hosting their two prestigious events, the FA Cup final and the Community Shield at the Millennium Stadium,” said Millennium Stadium chief executive Paul Sergeant.

“We always said we would do our best to remain open for their business while the new Wembley is being constructed and we are delighted to be in a position to help out once again this year.

“The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff and Wales have all left their mark on the Football Association and Football League events as custodians of their finals in the past six years and it has been hugely beneficial to us all.

“We know the difficulties that Wembley are experiencing and they have our sympathy and full support. The new Wembley is going to be a magnificent stadium that will play a key role in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

“That is another event that the Millennium Stadium is delighted to be playing a small part in and we will be using the experience we have gained over the past six years to good effect in pushing ourselves forward for a while range of events in the future.

“Our events list continues to grow and the interest from sporting bodies, sports and music promoters and conference organisers in what we have got to offer is building day by day.

“We have greatly enjoyed the business provided by the Football Association and the Football League since 2001, and learned a great deal from working with them. If they wish to return in 2007 with any of their events, we would love to have them back.”