The Welsh Rugby Union has today revealed the date, kick off times and ticketing details for Judgement Day 2014 – the annual meeting of the four Welsh regions at the home of Welsh sport.
In another double-derby extravaganza on Easter Sunday 2014, Cardiff Blues take on Scarlets at 2pm and Newport Gwent Dragons will face the Ospreys at 4.45pm.
Tickets to watch the back-to-back rugby games are now lower than last year’s prices with an additional saving of £5 per adult and £10 for families booking this Christmas.
Rugby fans looking to snap up the early bird offer can secure their tickets immediately via WRU.CO.UK. The discounts will be applied to adult tickets at £15 (now £10) and a family of four pass – 2 adults, 2 children – at £40 (now £30).
The unique event, in conjunction with RaboDirect PRO12, S4C and BBC Wales, is the second of a four year deal which sees the Blues and the Dragons play their ‘home’ fixtures against alternating regional rivals on the same day at the iconic stadium.
Once more, season ticket holders for the Blues and Dragons are eligible for a free ticket to support their teams who will be hungry for home glory this time round.
Over 36,000 fans turned out for the inaugural event when West was proved best, with Scarlets beating the Dragons and Ospreys edging past the Blues.
With additional savings on tickets for 2014, the next Judgement Day event is set to be bigger and better than last year.
Cardiff Blues flanker Sam Warburton said: “Rabo Regional derbies are among the most competitive games you’ll ever play at club level and as a player they’re games you’ll always want to be involved in.
“Judgement Day is a fantastic occasion for the fans and great value for families; two games of rugby, a great atmosphere and sheltered from any poor weather conditions, it guarantees to be a great day out.”
Judgement Day will be played under the closed roof at the iconic city-centre rugby venue which is renowned for its carnival atmosphere.
Warburton added: “For me the Millennium Stadium is the best venue. I always love going back to the Stadium. It’s my favourite venue and a brilliant place to play.”
Newport Gwent Dragons number eight Toby Faletau said: “It’ll be great to go up against Ospreys and it’s really exciting for the players and the fans to be at the Millennium Stadium. With all four regions in one place, and the great support of our regional rugby followers it’s going to be a fantastic occasion and all the players will be looking forward to it.”
The WRU and the four Welsh regions have promised another special festival of regional rugby which is set to feature Wales and British and Irish Lions stars Sam Warburton, Richard Hibbard, Jonathan Davies and Toby Faletau.
“Judgement Day is coming on Sunday 20 April,” said Craig Maxwell, WRU Head of Sales and Marketing. “And to make this one even bigger and better than last year, we’ve reduced the ticket prices and will be offering a special early-bird discount on Christmas bookings.”
“Fans who book their place now can get their hands on tickets at £10 for adults and £30 for a family of four. Tickets are valid for the two games of regional rugby in one action-packed afternoon and, as we know from last year, the event promises to be a fantastic festival of rugby entertainment with fans from all over Wales heading to the Millennium Stadium in their regional colours over the Easter break.”
The WRU website (WRU.CO.UK) offers fans the option to purchase a matchday ticket across all pricing categories (£15 adult, £10 children, £40 family) with the additional early discounts until January 2014.
For added convenience, fans have the option to take advantage of the WRU’s new ‘print at home’ initiative. Tickets will also be available from ticket offices at the Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets in the New Year.
The RaboDirect PRO12 games will be broadcast on BBC Wales (Cardiff Blues v Scarlets, ko 2.00) and S4C (Newport Gwent Dragons v Ospreys, ko 4.45).
David Jordan, Tournament Director said: “After the success of the inaugural event at Easter last year, we very much look forward to another exciting RaboDirect PRO12 rugby bonanza”.
S4C’s Director of Content, Dafydd Rhys said: “The RaboDirect Pro12 season is building up to an exciting crescendo and the Judgement Day event will come at a key period as the Welsh regions jostle for places in the table. We’re delighted to be covering this big Welsh sporting event again this season – and we’re looking forward to bringing the excitement of the Millennium stadium to S4C’s audience across Wales.”
Richard Thomas, Head of Marketing, Communications & Audiences at BBC Cymru Wales said: “It’s great that Judgement Day is being repeated. Our audiences can look forward to another double instalment of East v West and just as the crowds responded in their thousands last year and created a real sense of occasion, we look forward to an even bigger and better spectacle this Easter. We’re very clear that games with a vibrant and partisan atmosphere go down well with our TV audiences and double header derby occasions in the Millennium Stadium certainly deliver on that front.”
