Will we be seeing another late-night Six Nations kick-off in Cardiff? Well, if ticket sales were anything to go by, with just over 63,000 fans in a stadium with a capacity of over 75,000, it would seem it is not a popular choice – remarkable in one of the most rugby-obsessed cities in the world.
However, the problem is that Cardiff is not made for late-night rugby. One of the reasons ticket sales were so low compared with the usual demand at the Principality Stadium was that fans living in more rural parts of Wales, including the rugby heartlands of the Valleys, had no way of getting back from the match on public transport. Tickets are sold via clubs – the heart and soul of Welsh rugby – but it wasn’t a viable option for many who would usually attend.
Remember that Cardiff is a relatively small city and hotels as an option for many fans are not feasible as many in the city centre hike their prices up as high as £400 for the night. According to frustrated fans, even a one-night stay at the local Travelodge would have set them back £200.
Add to that the taxi surcharge to increase fares by 25 per cent after 3.30pm on matchday and, although passengers were told they could pay by card, many including this reporter were told once they were in the car only cash would be accepted. All rugby fans know about Cardiff’s boozy match-day atmosphere but with some revellers opting for what appeared to be all-day drinking, entering the stadium was not a pleasant experience.
This along with the inflated costs is something that embarrasses many locals, with one hotel employee telling Telegraph Sport: “We want to have more tourists visiting Cardiff but if this is the impression, they will not come back and I am embarrassed that people think we want to rip them off.”
Impact on ‘game-for-all’ concept
One thing Welsh rugby has always led the way on is having many groups of female fans in attendance. But walking down Westgate Street just after 6pm, less than two hours to kick-off, was more akin to closing time as many fans wobbled their way down the road. It was jovial for the most part but there were at times an edge that women without a male in their party would find intimidating.
There were lewd remarks being shouted at female fans, and two young female fans who had been heckled persistently on their walk towards the stadium felt the need to run to escape it. Rugby prides itself on its friendly and welcoming crowds but this would not be encouraging more women or families to attend.
There has been much talk from CVC, who own a one-seventh stake in the Six Nations as well as their investment in Premiership Rugby, about attracting new audiences and it is hard to think who would want this Friday-night experience in Cardiff.
Going on their past record as an investment partner in Formula One from 2006 to 2017, night events are very much part of their strategy. The Singapore Grand Prix was introduced in 2008, a glitzy under-the-light event that attracted stars from around the world. But Singapore has a very different relationship with alcohol than the British and Irish. It is also worth noting that French television audiences love a late kick-off – it is far more ingrained in their culture due to a transport infrastructure that can support such an idea.
Alternatives a much more appealing option
One group of fans who seemed not so well-oiled were the French. There is not the same binge-drinking culture across the Channel and this could be seen before kick-off. The away fans who made the trip added a lot of fun to what could have been an intimidating atmosphere, with one group kitted out in yellow fluffy dressing gowns as an homage to Antoine Dupont’s recent stint as French GQ magazine cover star – the scrum-half acknowledged their good fun by taking a selfie with them after the final whistle.
