WRU to open new Cardiff city venue

The Welsh Rugby Union has acquired the lease of a three story building situated in a prime location in Cardiff City centre directly adjacent to its Millennium Stadium site.

The building will be officially opened in November, before the first Test of the four-match Invesco Perpetual Series - which will be contested between Wales and New Zealand - and will house the new WRU Store, handling both merchandise and ticket sales, a fully licensed Bar and Cafe/Hospitality area which will target City Centre trade throughout the year, but particularly on match-days, and become the new base for Millennium Stadium tours.

Full plans for the development of the building, formerly known as Yates Wine Lodge, are set to be revealed at a grand opening on Thursday 5th November which will be accessed by invitation only.

But the WRU today revealed a new hospitality package hosted in the new building which makes more tickets available for matches against New Zealand, Argentina and Australia.

The package will include a premium location match ticket, complimentary bar of beer, wine and soft drinks, limited edition gift and match programme, and, for the All Blacks game, internationally renowned rugby star Jonathan Davies as guest speaker.

"This building is alongside the Millennium Stadium and really puts the Welsh Rugby Union right at the hub of the Cardiff City Centre," WRU Group head of finance Steve Phillips.

"The WRU will have a significant presence within the hustle and bustle of day to day City life with our fully stocked shop offering the entire range of our official merchandise and a bar/cafe which we hope will be a real 'must visit location' for City dwellers and visitors alike.

"The plans for the building are impressive, it is in a prime location and should become a thriving venue in a busy part of Cardiff by the week and on event days we also have great expectations of the match experience we will be able to offer."

The listed building, which has been leased on a long term basis and has been completely renovated and will also house the main reception for the WRU and become a focal point for the many visitors - up to a thousand a week - that the Millennium Stadium receives.

A new name for the building will be revealed on opening night when the first pieces of an ever-changing array of rugby memorabilia will also be on display.

The new 'public face' of the Welsh rugby will be free to enter on non-event days and will boast a brand new hospitality service for the upcoming Invesco Perpetual Series, starting with the visit of the All Blacks.

"The first big match customers for the new building will be those fans who take up hospitality packages for the New Zealand game, which cost as little as £199 (excl. VAT) and guarantee premium tickets complimentary bar and the full Millennium Stadium experience," added Mr Phillips.

"Only a limited number of places are left for what is the last remaining official outlet for match tickets for the All Blacks fixture and the end of series clash with the Wallabies, with general tickets to both matches sold-out."

Hospitality packages are being sold this year, for the first time, on an individual basis with customers being offered the opportunity to share boxes, and, with extra tickets now available due to the opening of this new venue, fans have a unique opportunity to see history made when Warren Gatland's Wales take on the All Blacks, and receive VIP treatment at the same time.

If you are interested in purchasing hospitality for all games including this new venue, please call the hospitality team on: 08443 722722 or www.millenniumstadium.com/hospitality.

Remaining tickets for the Samoa and Argentina matches in the Series are available from www.wru.co.uk. Tickets for Wales v Samoa on Friday 13 November are priced at £15 for adults and £10 for children and tickets for Wales v Argentina on Saturday 21 November are available at £35, £45, £50 and £55.