Rugby ground | |
.jpeg){kind=logo} | |
 Cardiff Arms Park in the foreground and the Principality Stadium in the background | |
  Cardiff Arms Park (CAP) Location of Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff city centre | |
| Location | Cardiff, Wales |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°28′47″N 3°11′1″W / 51.47972°N 3.18361°W |
| Public transit | Cardiff Central railway station and Cardiff Central bus station |
| Owner | Cardiff Athletic Club |
| Capacity | 16,500 (1969)[1] 12,125 (present day)[2] |
| Surface | 3G Artificial turf |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1967 |
| Opened | 1969 |
| Architect | Osborne V. Webb and Partners |
| Main contractors | G. A. Williamson and Andrew Scott and Co. |
| Tenants | |
| Cardiff Rugby (2003–2009; 2012–present) Cardiff RFC (1969–present) Major sporting events hosted 2008 IRB Junior World Championship Semi-Final 2013–14 European Challenge Cup Final Steve Robinson vs. Prince Naseem Hamed | |
Cricket ground | |
 Aerial view of the cricket ground | |
 | |
| Location | Cardiff, Wales |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°28′47″N 3°11′1″W / 51.47972°N 3.18361°W |
| Owner | Cardiff Athletic Club |
| Capacity | 7,000[3] |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1848 |
| Closed | 1966 |
| Demolished | 1966 |
| Tenants | |
| Glamorgan County Cricket Club Cardiff Cricket Club | |
Cardiff Arms Park (Welsh: Parc yr Arfau Caerdydd), also known as The Arms Park, is situated in the centre of Cardiff, Wales. It is primarily a rugby union stadium, but it also has a bowling green. The Arms Park was host to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1958, and hosted four games in the 1991 Rugby World Cup, including the third-place play-off. The Arms Park also hosted the inaugural Heineken Cup Final of 1995–96 and the following year in 1996–97.
The history of the rugby ground begins with the first stands appearing for spectators in the ground in 1881–1882.[4] Originally the Arms Park had a cricket ground to the north and a rugby union stadium to the south. By 1969, the cricket ground had been demolished to make way for the present day rugby ground to the north and a second rugby stadium to the south, called the National Stadium. The National Stadium, which was used by Wales national rugby union team, was officially opened on 7 April 1984, however in 1997 it was demolished to make way for the Millennium Stadium in 1999, which hosted the 1999 Rugby World Cup and became the national stadium of Wales. The rugby ground has remained the home of the semi-professional Cardiff RFC yet the professional Cardiff Blues regional rugby union team moved to the Cardiff City Stadium in 2009, but returned three years later.
The site is owned by Cardiff Athletic Club and has been host to many sports, apart from rugby union and cricket; they include athletics, association football, greyhound racing, tennis,[5] British baseball and boxing. The site also has a bowling green to the north of the rugby ground, which is used by Cardiff Athletic Bowls Club, which is the bowls section of the Cardiff Athletic Club.[6] The National Stadium also hosted many music concerts including Michael Jackson, Dire Straits, David Bowie, Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones and U2.
- ^ Thomas, Simon (22 June 2007). "Time Blues quit Arms Park?". icWales. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- ^ "Cardiff Blues ready to install temporary stands at Arms Park for Amlin Challenge Cup final as Bath and Northampton fans protest about venue". Wales Online. Archived from the original on 9 October 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- ^ "Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales". Cricinfo (ESPN). Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Reminiscenceswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Post-war developments in Sophia Gardens". Glamorgan County Cricket Club & Cricket Archive. Archived from the original on 27 July 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2008.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Glanmorwas invoked but never defined (see the help page).