Football Ground Guide: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff City FC

Contents
What's The Cardiff City Stadium Like? External View (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Ninian & Grange Stands (photo) Where To Drink? Grandstand and Canton Stands (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park Looking Towards The Canton Stand (photo) By Train Admission Prices Grandstand (photo) Local Rivals Programme & Fanzines Ground Layout Fixtures 2012-2013 Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Other Places Of Interest Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Cardiff City Stadium Location Map


What's The Cardiff City Stadium Like?
After 99 years the club have left Ninian Park and moved to a new stadium, which is situated only around a quarter of a mile away (for those that were familiar with Ninian Park, the new stadium is more or less located behind the large open car park, that was situated behind the Main Stand). The stadium which cost £48m to build has a capacity of 26,828. Inside it is a lovely looking stadium and has some great facilities, but like a number of other new stadiums that have been built over the last ten years, it is functional, but lacking in that ‘wow’ factor. All four stands are of the same height and the stadium is completely enclosed with all four corners having spectator seating. Three sides of the stadium are identical, all being single tiered, all seater affairs. The roofs above these stands are situated quite high above the seating areas, with a large back wall, part of which contains Perspex panels to provide more light to the playing surface. The Grandstand is a little different, having a second tier of seating that overlaps the back of the lower tier. In this area at the rear of the lower section there is a row of executive boxes. Whilst at the back of the second tier there is visible a glassed frontage to and area used for corporate entertainment. The team dug outs are located at the front of this stand. There is a medium sized video screen in corner of the stadium between the Ninian & Grange Stands (above the away fans section), but doesn't quite look big enough for a stadium of this size. On my visit, the pictures being shown on the screen of the game, were a couple of seconds behind the playing action, which was a bit annoying. Above each end is a small digital clock displaying how many minutes have elapsed in each half of the game. In view of its multi purpose nature the stadium has in each corner a large access tunnel. The stadium is shared with Cardiff Blues Rugby Union team. Outside the stadium there are the entrance gates that once welcomed visiting players and officials to Ninian Park. Beside the gates is a plaque in remembrance of Scotland and Celtic Manager Jock Stein who passed away at Ninian Park shortly after a Wales v Scotland World Cup Qualifying game in 1985. For the stadium buffs, then as you come off the A4232 and head towards the stadium then on your left you will pass the new Cardiff International Sports Stadium. This has a capacity of 5,000, with one covered seated stand that holds 2,613 spectators. Although chiefly the home of Welsh Athletics, the stadium is also used for football with Welsh League Two side Cardiff Bay Harlequins playing their home games there. Future Developments The stadium has been built in such a way that it can be easily expanded. This would be achieved by temporarily taking off the roof and adding additional blocks of seating to three sides of the stadium (the Grandstand would remain as it is). Originally it was planned to expand capacity to 32,000, but it is now believed that 35,000 would be feasible. If Cardiff City remain in the Premier League then works could well start at the end of the 2013/14 season. Top Of Page
External View
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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are located in one corner of the stadium, between the Ninian & Grange stands. Up to 1,800 fans can be accommodated in this area. The Club operate automatic turnstiles, where you have to put your ticket (which has a bar code on it) into a slot reader, which then allows the turnstiles to admit you. As you would expect from a new stadium the view of the playing action and facilities are good. The acoustics are also good, with the stadium having a loud p.a. system. The concourses are spacious, have televisions to keep you entertained and serve the usual fayre of food as well as alcohol. Food on offer includes various Pies (including the Chicken Balti pie £2.90), Cheeseburgers (£3.30), Hot Dogs (£3.10) and Chips (£2.50). Domenic Brunetti a visiting Nottingham Forest fan adds; I was impressed tho as the entrance to the away end as you are kept well out of harms way as home supporters are kept well separated. Inside the facilities were really good and clean. The concourse was of a good size and the food and drink kiosks plentiful, with little queuing time. I noticed that all the signs inside were written in both English and Welsh. Our seats in one corner of the stadium gave us great views of the game and the giant big screen behind us meant we could see replays of the goals (although unfortunately we lost 3-0!). The move to the new stadium, marks a new era for Cardiff City and there was no doubt on my visit to the ground, that things seem more relaxed than before at Ninian Park. Even so I would still advise to be cautious around the stadium and the city centre and to keep colours covered. Inside the stadium away fans are kept separate from home fans, by an area of 'no mans land' to each side. Whilst outside there is a fenced in compound, which is also used to accommodate the away coaches, but again keeps fans separated after the game has finished which should avoid most problems. Top Of Page
Ninian and Grange Stands
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Where To Drink?
There are no bars in the close vicinity to the stadium that I could see. As the stadium is close the old Ninian Park supporters will tend to use the pubs they did previously, most of which can be quite intimidating for away supporters and are not recommended. One suggestion that I have received is the Gol Centre on Lawrenny Avenue (off Leckwith Road, See Google Map below) which has amongst other facilities a bar. Gwilym Boore informs me; 'We are a 5-a-side centre located about an eight minute walk from Cardiff City Stadium. We charge £4 to park at the centre but this is returned to customers in the form of a bar voucher which can be used against purchases of Hot Dogs, alcoholic and soft drinks, tea and coffee and confectionery. We also encourage FREE use of our pitches by visiting children'. Plus further along Lawrenny Avenue is the Canton Rugby Football Club, which has a bar, large screen television showing Sky Sports and also offers free parking. Otherwise it is probably best to drink in the city centre and then go on up to the stadium. Alcohol is also available inside the ground in the form of Fosters, Strongbow and the local Brains SA Smooth Bitter, all at £3 per pint. Top Of Page
Grandstand and Canton Stands
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How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
To avoid driving through the centre of Cardiff, leave the M4 at junction 33 and take the A4232 towards Cardiff/Barry. Keep on the A4232 towards Cardiff and then leave the dual carriageway at the B4267 exit. At the end of the slip road, turn left at the roundabout, signposted 'Cardiff International Athletics Stadium'. The stadium is situated a short distance down this road on the right. Please note that parking in the nearby retail park is limited to 90 minutes as is being enforced. Also be sure also to park your car properly, as I have been informed that traffic wardens are out in force on matchdays. A visiting Scunthorpe fans adds; 'If you pass the ground on your right and then turn right at the next lights (about 250m) and proceed up this road for about 300m, you will see HSS Hire (plant hire) on your right. Turn right in front of this and it leads you into a fenced off area adjacent to Turnstile 7 (the away entrance). You can go straight into the ground without leaving this area. It was also well marshalled on our visit. It is not big enough for teams with big support, but I think it would take around 200 cars. Cost was £5.' Pre-booked coaches get preference for this area, so if your team are bringing a number, then the space for cars may be limited.' How to get there by coach: To avoid driving through the centre of Cardiff, leave the M4 at junction 33 and take the A4232 towards Cardiff/Barry/Airport. Keep on the A4232 towards Cardiff and then leave the dual carriageway at the 3rd exit B4267. The 1st exit is the Welsh Museum of Life....2nd exit is Culverhouse Cross. Just before the 3rd turn off you will see the stadium (slightly to your left). Taking the outside lane (of 2) on the slip road, as you approach the lights, you need to be in lane 3 (of 4). You will be bearing round to the right (keeping the pavement on your left) you are taking the 1st turning off this roundabout into Hadfield Road. Travelling approximately 800 meters down Hadfield Road you will then turn left into Bessemer Road. Travelling down Bessemer Road to the traffic lights at its "T" junction with Sloper Rd you turn left. Approximately 400 meters down Sloper road as you pass the bus depot on your right on your left you will see "HSS Plant Hire". Turn Left Here into the protected compound. Thanks to Malcolm a Cardiff Cabbie for these directions. Map showing the location of the new Cardiff stadium (at the bottom of this page). Top Of Page
Looking Towards The Canton Stand
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By Train
The nearest train station is Ninian Park Halt, which is only a five minute walk from the stadium. This station is on a local line (city line-direction Radyr) which is served by trains from Cardiff Central, which run every thirty minutes on Saturday afternoons. On leaving Ninian Park Halt station proceed along Leckwith Road and you will see the new stadium over on your left. Alternatively if you are away fan turn left into Sloper Rd and then turn right into the protected compound at HSS Plant Hire, which leads to the away turnstiles. Alternatively as Barry Hodges informs me; 'Grangetown station is around a 15-20 minute walk away from the New Stadium and is served by more frequent trains from Cardiff Central, that continue onto Penarth or Barry Island. On leaving Grangetown station turn left, cross the main road and then turn right into Sloper road'. If you are an away fan then turn left into the protected compound at HSS Plant Hire, which leads to the away turnstiles. If for any other turnstile than gate 7, walk on 50 metres, turning left, into the car park towards gate 6 or around the stadium, to the right for lower gate numbers, ticket office or club shop. If you a bit more time on your hands, then you can walk to the stadium from Cardiff Central, which takes around 25 minutes. As you come out of the entrance to the station, bear left and at the bottom of the station approach road, turn left. Continue straight on into Ninian Park Road, for around a mile passing the Millennium Stadium on your right. At the end of Ninian Park Road turn left and then left into Leckwith Road. You will then shortly be able to see the stadium over on your left (the away turnstiles are on the left hand side of the stadium, as you view it from here). Alternatively a taxi to the stadium from Cardiff Central costs around £7. Top Of Page
Admission Prices
Ticket prices are not listed here as the Club have introduced something called 'Dynamic based pricing.' In essence the Club set a starting price for a ticket for a particular game and area within the stadium. But once the tickets are on sale the Club can then put up the prices of the tickets if the fixture or area of seating is particularly popular. I can understand that the Club are trying to encourage fans to purchase tickets early (i.e as soon as the tickets go on sale at the starting price), but I feel somewhat uncomfortable that these can be subsequently hiked up as the Club sees fit. Currently this scheme does not apply to tickets for the away section. Away Fans: Adults £21 Over 60's/Under 21's £14 Under 16's £13 Family tickets: 2 Adults + 2 Under 16's £40 Top Of Page
The Grandstand
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Local Rivals
Swansea City and from a little further away, Bristol City. Top Of Page
Programme & Fanzines
Official Programme £3. The Thin Blue Line Fanzine: £1. Ramzine Fanzine: £1. Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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Fixtures 2012-2013
Cardiff City FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website). Top Of Page
Disabled Facilities
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website. Top Of Page
Record & Average Attendance
For the New Stadium: 26,588 v Nottingham Forest Championship League, April 13th 2013. For a Cardiff Match at Ninian Park: 57,893 v Arsenal Division One, April 22nd, 1953. Average Attendance: 2011-2012: 22,100 (Championship League) 2010-2011: 23,194 (Championship League) 2009-2010: 20,717 (Championship League) Top Of Page
Other Places Of Interest
A popular destination with visiting supporters prior to the game is a visit to the Millennium Stadium (or Stadiwm y Mileniwm in Welsh). Although no longer hosting the domestic football cup finals, it is still one of the best stadiums in Britain. The stadium offers regular tours on most days throughout the year and is only a couple of minutes walk from Cardiff Central railway station. The tour itself costs: Adults: £7.50 Children 5-16 years: £4.95 Children Under 5's: Free Concessions (OAP's Students, Unemployed, Proof required): £4.95 Family Ticket: 2 Adults + 2 Children £19.50 I have been on the tour myself and would definitely recommend it. It lasts around 45 minutes and is one of the better tours that I have been on, full of interesting facts, coupled with a sense of humour. You can book the tours by calling: 02920 822 228 or book online via the Millennium Stadium website. Top Of Page
Fans Reviews
Joe White (Bristol City) 16/2/13 James Prentice (Doing The 92) 15/12/12 Thomas Sperrink (Wolverhampton Wanderers) 2/9/12 James Clyde (Reading) 17/5/11 Daniel Lang (Nottingham Forest) 1/11/09 Steve Minney (Nottingham Forest) 1/11/09 David Bedlow (Derby County) 29/9/09 Top Of Page
Hotel Accommodation
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. Access their Cardiff Hotels and Guest houses page. Remember that you can use the above link or panel below to book any other hotels that you may need for business or leisure, either in the UK or abroad. Top Of Page
Map showing the location of the Cardiff City stadium, railway stations and listed pubs.
Instructions for using the map: - Use the bar on the left of the map to zoom in / out using the + / - keys. - Click and drag an area of the map to move around or use the up/down, left/right arrows - Click the Satellite button to see aerial view photograph. Top Of Page
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me duncan@footballgrounds.net and I'll update the guide.

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