Visitors to Cardiff Arms Park

The Cardiff Arms Park is home to both the Cardiff Blues and Cardiff RFC. The stadium is located in the heart of Cardiff City Centre and next to the National Stadium.

Since 1870 the Cardiff Arms Park has played host to rugby games. In 1956 the ground hosted the Commonwealth Games and in 1966 the stadium played host to the first floodlit game. In 2013 a new artificial pitch was laid at the stadium to help aid community development.

World renowned nations and famous faces of Rugby Union have run out at Cardiff Arms Park over the years. Now is your chance to join in their footsteps, as you visit this iconic Rugby Union venue.

The Cardiff Arms Park could not better placed for visitors to Cardiff. It is in the centre of the city and close to all amenities. Cardiff can be reached easily from all major cities in the United Kingdom. It is around 120 minutes from London, 60 minutes from Bath, 145 minutes from Leicester and 210 minutes from Liverpool.

The location of the Cardiff Arms Park makes it very accessible for visitors to Cardiff. It is recommended that you arrive by Public Transport. Parking is not available on site at Cardiff Arms Park on a matchday.

Cardiff Central train station is a 5-minute walk away from the Cardiff Arms Park. Exit the station through the front and walk straight on. In front of you is the BBC building and Pret café. Pass these and you will see a Tesco Express, Boots and Greggs on your left-hand side before you reach a road. Cross over and head right, you will notice an Army Careers Office on your left-hand side and directly opposite on the other side of the street is O’Neill’s. Turn left here and down Westgate Street. Follow the road down and you will pass a number of bus stops, the WRU shop and gates two and three of the national stadium. The first entrance to Cardiff Arms Park will be on your left (Quay Street Entrance), 150 yards down the street will be the second entrance (Angel Entrance).
Top Tip: Make sure you have a valid train ticket before you board, as barriers are always operational at Cardiff Central. Failure to have a valid train ticket may result in you receiving a large fine.

Car
Exit the M4 at junction 33. Follow the Cardiff Link Road (A4232) and exit at the second junction, signposted Cardiff City Stadium and Away Fans. At the roundabout, take the left lane and pass the Athletics ground on the left, with both a retail park and Cardiff City Stadium on your right. At the next set of traffic lights go straight over, passing underneath a railway bridge and a Chinese restaurant on your right. At the next set of traffic lights turn right onto the A4161. At the next set up traffic lights, near a large catering store, head straight over and you will reach more traffic lights, here you will see the Cardiff Arms Park floodlights in the near distance. Go straight at these lights and over the bridge and stay in the right lane. Here you will see the Holiday Inn on your right and the Angel Hotel directly in front of you. Turn right and then right again into the car park at the Cardiff Arms Park.
Top Tip: The postcode is CF10 1JA. Avoid driving into Cardiff if possible. Traffic can be very heavy, and your journey may take longer than anticipated.

Parking
No parking is available at the Cardiff Arms Park on matchdays. Two NCP car parks are located close to Cardiff Arms Park (Cardiff Stadium and Westgate Street) however, these can be very expensive and busy on a matchday. For more information on these car parks visit https://www.ncp.co.uk/parking-solutions/cities/cardiff/. Other car parks are available in the City Centre and are mainly used by shoppers. The largest multi storey facility in the city centre at be found at the St David’s Shopping Centre. This has 2,000 car parking spaces and part of the third floor is for disabled car users. For more information on parking and costs here please visit https://stdavidscardiff.com/car-park
Top Tip: Avoid trying to park in Cardiff City Centre between 1st December and 5th January each year. Many large shops in the city centre have sales before and after Christmas. You will struggle to find a parking space.

Bus
The majority of the bus services in Cardiff are operated by Cardiff Bus. The city centre has no bus station and, as a result, buses run from different bus stops across the city. The following map shows where buses operate to and from. https://images.cardiffbus.com/2020-01/cardiff%20city%20centre%20dep%20list%20jan20.pdf. Cardiff Arms Park is located on Westgate Street, an abundance of buses use this street on its routes. To find out which bus suits your needs, visit https://www.cardiffbus.com/plan-a-journey.
Top Tip: If you are taking multiple bus journeys on the same day it maybe cheaper to get a day ticket. These can be obtained from the driver on board.

Plane
Cardiff Airport: The closest airport to the Cardiff Arms Park is Cardiff International. The airport has links to many cities across the United Kingdom, Europe and even as far afield as Qatar. Should you fly into Cardiff, the cheaper way of getting into the City Centre is via bus. The T9 bus leaves Cardiff Airport every 20 minutes and takes approximately 60 minutes to get into the City Centre. You can alight at Cardiff Central train station, ask the driver if you are unsure, he will give you a shout when you reach the destination A single ticket costs £5.00 and can be purchased aboard. A bus/train service is available, but this is less frequent and costs around £8.00. Taxis are available but will cost you around £50.00 each way.
Top Tip: If you travel on a Saturday or Sunday on the T9 bus there is no charge.

Bristol Airport: Bristol Airport is around 50 miles away from the Cardiff Arms Park. This airport is served by both Ryanair and Easyjet. National Express run a direct service from Bristol Airport to Cardiff, however this is not frequent and needs to be booked in advance. The most popular route from Bristol Airport is via bus, and then train. Take the A1 bus outside the terminal to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station, a ticket can be purchased on board. Then take a train to Cardiff Central, they depart every 30 minutes.
Top Tip: Try and avoid the rush hour in Bristol. The traffic does not move quickly and the train costs to Cardiff are dearer in peak times. If you sign up to Bristol Airport’s newsletter, you often get sent vouchers for 10% off the A1 bus.

The Cardiff Arms Park can best be described as a traditional stadium that has no bad view. The stadium is divided into four stands, North, South, West and East. The capacity is 12,500.

The West stand contains viewing platforms for disabled supporters at pitch level and above it are several boxes for hospitality purposes. Behind this stand is the River Taff.

The East stand has some seats at pitch level, along with viewing platforms for disabled supporters. Above this is also hospitality boxes. This stand is designated as a family stand, featuring the Reception and Club Shop built into it.

The North Stand is split into terracing and seating. The terracing rises from pitch level up and the seating section is above this. Both areas are covered, and this is where away supporters tend to congregate. On most occasions at Cardiff Arms Park the away fans tend to purchase tickets to the left of the hallway line, in both the seating and terracing sections (see below). Food and beverage kiosks are outside of the stands. Toilets are also available.
Top Tip: The majority of Cardiff Arms Park is contactless payment only.

The South Stand is split into terracing and seating. The terracing is also split into two areas, as the players tunnel and changing rooms separate the terracing. The separate is via a line of stewards that man the area underneath the terrace. Toilets and bars are available. Within the South Terrace (Taff End) is where you will find The Cardiff Blues Brothers located on a matchday and The Cardiff Blues Brothers Lounge.
Top Tip: The club sell a set limited amount of tickets in each part of the terracing for safety reasons. Be sure to select the right part of the terracing when you purchase tickets.

Viewing platforms are located in the West and East Stands of the Cardiff Arms Park. The West Stand has both indoor and outdoor accessible platforms. The East Stand has a covered outdoor platform. Trained stewards are on hand to help with any requirements you may have.

On matchday disabled access is via the Gwyn Nicholls gate, this entrance is located just off Westgate Street and opposite the Angel Hotel.

Accessible tickets can be purchased by calling the ticket office on 02920 302030, visiting www.eticketing.co.uk/cardiffblues or visiting in person. The ticket office can also be emailed on enquiries@cardiffblues.com
Top Tip: Wheelchair and carer, along with visually impaired tickets, are sold on a two for one basis at the normal matchday category price.

On a matchday, both before and after the game, the Cardiff Blues Brothers can be seen in its resident Cardiff Blues Brothers Lounge. The lounge is located in the South West Terrace of the Cardiff Arms Park. The lounge is open to all South Terrace ticket holders before and during the game.

The lounge is a comfortable area to enjoy socialising and watching the TV before the main event on the pitch. In the future, the Cardiff Blues Brothers are hoping to add a games console for people to relax and enjoy themselves before the game. The lounge is located next to the Cardiff Blues home dressing room, quite an atmosphere can build up in here before the game!

During the game, the bar within the lounge is open to South Terrace ticket holders to purchase several draught beers and soft drinks. Cardiff Blues Brothers members, upon production of their membership card, are entitled to discount at the bar.
After the game, we say ‘Croeso’ and ‘Welcome’ to all ticket holders, as live entertainment can be enjoyed in the lounge. A great atmosphere continues long after the match has ended. Come join us in sharing stories and create new memories. We hope our Welsh hospitality and warmth will leave a lasting impression on young and old alike. We welcome you as guests to Cardiff Arms Park, and hope you will leave as brothers.
Top Tip: The bar does not accept cash; however Pound Sterling and Euros can be exchanged for vouchers from a member of the Cardiff Blues Brothers Committee on site.

Tours of the Cardiff Arms Park are undertaken by the club. They take place every other Thursday at 11.30am and 2.30pm. The tour lasts approximately 75 minutes and costs £10.00 per person. Please get in contact with the club if you wish to attend.

If these dates are not suitable for your party, please get in contact with the Cardiff Blues Brothers and we will see how we can best assist you.

Are you part of a team that is touring South Wales and would like to visit the Cardiff Arms Park or take in a game? If so, please get in contact with us, we would love to meet you and give you a warm welcome. We have links with numerous local rugby clubs and would be willing to point you in the right direction should you need any local knowledge.

If so, let us know you are visiting. We will be able to recommend places for you to savour the Welsh International Matchday atmosphere. If, you do not have a ticket for the game, why not come and join us? Send us an email in advance and we will let you know where we are planning on watching the game.

Where do we start?! Next to the Cardiff Arms Park is arguably the best sports stadium in the world, and opposite this is the iconic Cardiff Castle. No matter what time of the year you visit Cardiff there is always something to see and do. Cardiff has something for everyone from Nature, History, Shopping, Sport, Politics, Culture and Conservation. Should you require a tour guide during your visit to Cardiff, let us know! Alternatively all other information on the city of Cardiff and what it has to offer is available at https://www.visitcardiff.com

Should you have any questions regarding this guide, or you wish to get in contact with us, please do so. Our email address is secretary@cardiffblues.com

We look forward to welcoming you to Cardiff Arms Park!