Cardiff Arms Park

Despite the emergence of the Millennium Stadium in 1999, the famous old name of “Cardiff Arms Park” lives on adjacently, as the home of the regional team, the Cardiff Blues and the lesser supported club team, Cardiff Rugby Football Club. I think it’s fair to say that it’s a far less impressive arena than its new neighbour, and if you ever have a choice of which ground to visit, I don’t think I need to emphasise which you should choose.

Getting to the ground shouldn’t pose any problems. It’s situated in the heart of Cardiff City Centre, and in the unlikely event that you can’t find it, just wonder around the city centre until you catch a glimpse of the enormous stadium next to it.

The Cardiff Arms Park was originally used as primarily a cricket ground (the home of Glamorgan CCC) up until 1967, when it gave way to the sacred game, and truly became the spiritual home of Welsh Rugby. Given the performances of the Cardiff rugby clubs in recent years, maybe even some would wish for a return of the cricket here.

I don’t have any stats for average crowds to watch the Blues in recent seasons, but it’s unusual to see the ground much more than half full. The atmosphere varies between non-existent and dire, although occasionally an Irish team or a certain West Walian bunch of away supporters do liven things up a bit. The arrival of Jonah Lomu to the Blues may help to waken the not-so-faithful here. I wait with bated breath.

If you’re thinking of taking your kids to the game, the Blues is certainly family orientated but keep them away from the hoardings at the front! Opposition kickers will find their concentration disturbed by the ill manners of the kids who bang on the hoardings as loud as they possibly can – not part of the rugby ethos, if you ask me.

The ground itself could probably do with a lick of paint, although at least they have now finally managed to repair the scoreboard! But other than that, it’s a good old fashioned rugby ground with nothing spectacular to report about it. Oh – if you’re looking for refreshments, then get them before you go to the ground. At £3 a burger and £1.50 for a bottle of pop inside the ground, this doesn’t represent good value for money.

I would say that you shouldn’t let a muted atmosphere put you off coming to see what could be a good game of rugby. It may one day happen. Until then, there are plenty of pre or post-game watering holes in the vicinity to get your lips wet. The Clubhouse is open to non-members upstairs, and it can be worth popping in for a couple of drinks - it isn’t uncommon to find yourself standing next to a few of the players in there after the game, if you’re that way inclined.

If you fancy venturing away from the rugby club, and who could blame you, then try the City Arms for a good rugby atmosphere, the Gatekeeper for cheap booze, or the Queens Vaults (more commonly known by its previous name, the Fly Half) if you fancy being surrounded by Welsh rugby memorabilia whilst sipping on a few cold ones. It is a safe bet that if you don’t find the game and the atmosphere in the Arms Park much to behold, you will still have a good time sampling some of Cardiff’s establishments. Enjoy!