Information
Wales men’s side will take on the Baa-baas for the first time since 2012 in what will be incoming head coach Wayne Pivac’s first match in charge of Wales.
Pivac, who will take over the Welsh reins following this year’s Rugby World Cup, will oversee his side for the first time in Cardiff and will be up against his predecessor in his opening match with Warren Gatland named as head coach of the Barbarians for the fixture.
Gatland, who has been at the helm of Wales for the past 12 years will leave his role following the conclusion of this autumn’s RWC but will make an immediate return to the Welsh capital and the Principality Stadium for the clash.
For Wales Women it will be a first-ever outing against the Barbarians in what will be a showcase of Welsh rugby in Cardiff. The Barbarians launched a women’s side in 2017 and have had a heavy Welsh flavour in each team that has taken to the field since but this will be the first time Wales Women face the famous side in black and white hoops.
*The Wales Women v Barbarians match will kick-off at 11:45am. The Wales Men v Barbarians match will kick-off at 2:45pm. One ticket covers entry to both matches.
With the men’s kick off taking place at 2.45pm, there will be a full city centre road closure from 11.15am until 6pm on grounds of public safety.
Those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to leave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listed at principalitystadium.wales before they travel into the city.
Road closures
From early in the day, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed as a result of the need to prepare Gate 5 and protect queuing fans.
The following roads will be closed as part of the full city centre road closure which will take place at 11.15am.
- Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street.
- Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street.
- Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted via Fitzhammon Embankment.)
- Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted.)
- The following roads will be closed in their entirety: Duke Street, Castle St, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road.
Additions:
Civic Centre: Access to part of the Civic Centre will be controlled throughout the day, with access allowed only for event parking, limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks.
Roads affected include: King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road.
Please note:
If there are any safety concerns in connection with crowds queuing to go into the venue prior to gates opening, there may be a need to close Wood Street and Westgate Street earlier, along with lane restrictions adjacent to Gate 1 on Cowbridge Road East.
If there are any safety concerns relating to the queuing system at Cardiff Central Train Station, then Wood Street, Westgate Street, Park Street, Havelock Street, St Mary Street, Penarth Road, Saunders Road and Customhouse Street will remain closed until safety concerns are remedied.
Trains
Network Rail is advising all customers that there are no planned engineering work for this event.
Passengers are advised to plan their journey in advance at www.nationalrail.co.uk or by calling Travel Line Cymru on 0800 464 0000.
Transport for Wales is advising all customers that trains in the Cardiff area are expected to be busy all day. Those travelling into the city to watch the match are advised to leave plenty of time for their journey.
There will be a full crowd management system at Cardiff Central. All Valley Lines’ services will depart from the rear of the station at the Penarth Road car park. Services will have extra capacity where possible.
Cardiff Queen Street Station will close to outbound customers at 4.30pm and there will be a post-match queue system in place at Cardiff Central. For more information on Transport for Wales’ services, please visit https://tfwrail.wales/wales-v-barbarians
Civic Centre Event Day Parking
Getting there: Exit Junction 32 of the M4, head south on the A470 towards the city centre and follow signage to the civic centre.
Cost: £12 in you pre-book through the following link: click here or £15 payable on the day at the car park (cash only).
Parking time: The car park will open at 8am and closes at 12 Midnight.
Civic Centre Event Day Parking (Coaches)
Cost: £25 payable on the day or £25 if you pre-book: click here
Parking time: The car park will open at 8am and closes at 12 Midnight.
Event Park & Ride at Leckwith
Event Park & Ride is available at Leckwith and can be accessed from junction 33 off the M4 and then follow signs to the site.
To pre-book Park & Ride visit – click here
If customers pre-book Park & Ride, they are required to print the pre booking confirmation and hand it to staff at site on arrival. The drop off point is Fitzhamon Embankment.
The Park & Ride is 1.5 miles from the city centre which take approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
If you pre-book, the cost is £8 or £10 payable on the day (cash only)
Staff will arrive at the car park at 8.30am, with the site opening at 9.00am and the first bus leaving at 9.00am. The last bus will leave the pick up at the pick-up point at 6.30pm with the car park closing at 7.00pm.
Event Day Parking at Sophia Gardens
Sophia Gardens (cars)
(Approximately, 0.5 mile walk to the Principality Stadium, Gate 2).
Sophia Gardens Event Day Parking
Getting there: Exit junction 32 off the M4
Cost: £15 payable on the day at the car park (cash only)
Parking time: Car park opens at 8.00am and closes at 12 midnight
Please note: Sophia Gardens car park will be staffed until 7.00pm all vehicles are left on site at the owner’s risk. Cardiff Council will not be held responsible for any theft or damage to motor vehicles or personal possessions. Any vehicles left in the car park after closing time will be fined.
Bus
Local buses:
Cardiff Bus is advising their customers that city centre services will be displaced at 11.15am until 6.15pm. Buses displaced from stops within the closure will relocate to either Churchill Way for the east, Greyfriars Road for the north or Tudor Street for the west.
Please visit the relevant bus operator’s website for more information about your specific bus routes.
For Cardiff Bus services, please visit: https://www.cardiffbus.com/principality-stadium
National Express:
National Express coaches will use Sophia Gardens as usual.
Motorways and trunk roads
As with all major events, ticket holders are encouraged to plan their travel well ahead and make allowances for busy motorways and trunk roads. The M4 corridor and approaches to Cardiff are expected to be very busy.
Can you cycle or walk?
Those who live locally in Cardiff may want to travel by bicycle or walk. Research shows us that 52% of car trips made in the Welsh capital are less than 5km. This is a distance that can be comfortably cycled in 20 minutes.
We also know that 28% of Cardiff residents who currently do not cycle would like to do so.
When the roads are congested this makes cycling an even more attractive option as travel by bicycle would be quicker than a car during rush hours or during big events.
Shopping Parking
Shoppers are advised to make use of the dedicated Shopping Park & Ride sites at Pentwyn or County Hall. Or city centre car parks are also available: North Road Car Parks, St David’s Shopping Centre, John Lewis, Capitol Shopping Centre, and NCP (Adam Street, Dumfries Place and Greyfriars Road.)
Disabled parking
Disabled drivers are advised to use Sophia Gardens. Disabled parking is also available at various private car parks.
Please check individual websites for availability.
Taxis
St Mary Street taxi rank (outside the House of Fraser) will close at 11.15am and will re-open from 6.00pm.
