The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed it is set to open the doors of Principality Stadium to 8,200 supporters for each of the Summer Internationals 2021 fixtures against Canada and Argentina.
This marks the first-time supporters will be allowed back into the stadium to watch international rugby in over 14 months since the postponement of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations Wales v Scotland game due to the Covid pandemic.
Tickets will go on sale to WRU Member Clubs from tomorrow (Tuesday) with a limited allocation of tickets made available per club, reflecting the reduced stadium capacity.
A commitment date for Clubs has been set for Monday 21st June before the WRU is able to move forward with priority on-sale for Debenture holders, Premium members, and if tickets are available, Official members.
Any remaining tickets will be offered for public sale at the end of June. All tickets will be sold in a maximum of pairs to extended household bubbles.
Steve Phillips, WRU Group CEO says, “There is nothing like the atmosphere at Principality Stadium on match day and I know our players are keen to get back out in front of a crowd. Opening the stadium to a reduced crowd is a positive step forward which will enable supporters to return and enjoy live international rugby once again in Wales.
“We’re happy that we’ve established a ticketing strategy which allows us to allocate tickets to all WRU Member Clubs, partners and other entitlement groups in a fair and reasonable way given the reduced stadium capacity.”
WRU is also pleased to announce it will make an allocation of tickets across all three games available to key workers including those on the front line of the pandemic and the armed forces.
Mark Williams, Principality Stadium Manager says, “This has required months of complex planning, but we’re delighted to be in a position where we can finally welcome fans back into the stadium. The layout of our stadia and the public concourses determines the maximum capacity we can hold in line with Welsh Governments requirements of a 2metre social distance. With the maximum number of spectators set at 10,000 by Welsh Government, for us, this means a maximum capacity of 8,200 fans with the required social distancing measures in place.
“We’re still working through a number of factors such as phased entry and due to the limitations within the concourses we’re unable to open the internal Food & Beverage outlets to fans or serve Food and Beverages within our hospitality boxes.
“We continue to work with Welsh Government throughout the process and collaboratively with all key stakeholders from Cardiff Council, Transport for Wales and Public Health Wales to deliver these events successfully and safely.”
The green light for the return of fans has brought forward the WRU’s roll out of its 100% digital ticketing strategy.
In addition to the data from digital ticketing enabling effective track and trace as required by Welsh Government, digital ticketing will form part of a guiding set of principles which supporters will need to follow upon purchasing a ticket.
To access their digital ticket, supporters will need to download the Principality Stadium Ticketing App which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Play Store and agree to a Spectator Code of Conduct and answer a health questionnaire prior to the digital tickets being issued.
Within the stadium, supporters will be required to maintain a social distance of 2 metres, masks must be worn upon entry and when moving around the stadium, however, once supporters are seated masks can be removed. Supporters will also be encouraged to use the hand sanitizer stations positioned through the stadium’s public areas.
