That is when the next great cross-border rugby cup final will be played and the 24 teams from six nations competing in the 13th Heineken Cup tournament will be hoping their luck holds and they make it through to the Welsh capital.
It will be the fifth time Cardiff has hosted the European club rugby showpiece event and already almost 12,000 tickets have been snapped up before a ball has been kicked.
“The 2008 Heineken Cup final promises to be one of the Millennium Stadium highlights of the year,” said WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis. “The level of advance ticket sales underline the enormous popularity of the final with supporters and I am sure we will have yet another Heineken Cup final weekend to remember.”
The last two finals at the Millennium Stadium both attracted capacity crowds of over 74,500. However, last season saw the Heineken Cup final attendance record raised to 81,076 at Twickenham Stadium – a world record for a club rugby match.
“Last season we saw a new high of over 716,000 spectators go through the turnstiles for Pool matches, an increase of almost nine per cent on the old record, and during the latter rounds of the Pool stages of this season’s competition we will welcome supporter No. 8,000,000,” said ERC Chairman, Jean-Pierre Lux.
“The competition has gone from strength to strength over the last 12 years in enhanced playing standards, intensity and interest from the supporters.
“It is great coming back to Cardiff, the city that hosted the inaugural final in 1996, and I am sure the 2008 final will be another grand and festive occasion.”
The last time the Heineken Cup final was in Cardiff the Welsh economy benefited to the tune of more £25m – the single richest sporting event staged in Wales. On that occasion it was Munster, backed by a travelling army of over 30,000 fans, who triumphed, beating Biarritz Olympique 23-19.
The other three Cardiff finals saw Toulouse, Brive and Leicester Tigers lift the trophy in 1996, 1997 and 2002 respectively.
In total, the Millennium Stadium and its predecessor, Cardiff Arms Park, have hosted five Heineken Cup matches: four finals and last season’s Cardiff Blues v Leicester Tigers Pool match.
Those five matches were watched by 239,243 fans and another full house for the Cardiff 2008 final will take that figure through the 300,000 barrier.
Tickets for the Cardiff 2008 Heineken Cup final (kick-off 5pm) at the Millennium Stadium are now on general sale through the ticket hotline (UK tel: 0844 847 1530, outside UK +44 208 616 5111) or through http://www.ercrugby.com/ and http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/
Tickets are priced at £20, £35, £45 and £55 with concession prices for juniors at £22, £24, £32
