Home to Glamorgan County Cricket Club (Glamorgan CCC), one of Wales’ oldest and most successful clubs, the impressive SWALEC Stadium opened to great fanfare in 2008, with state-of-the-art facilities and seating capacity for up to 16,000 spectators. As well as county cricket, international test matches have been hosted at this fantastic venue since the 1990s, and major music and corporate events are also held here. Situated in the scenic Sophia Gardens Public Park in central Cardiff on the west bank of the River Taff, the stadium is just down the road from the Millennium Stadium and is easily accessed by bus, train or road.
Fans of Glamorgan, and anyone with a passing interest in cricket or Cardiff history, should note that guided tours are available from February to April, lasting around 90 minutes. Beginning with the museum, which features interactive displays and various interesting items of memorabilia from the career of Glamorgan CCC, it continues to the dressing rooms and the media centre before taking you to the top of the grandstand where you’ll enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the SWALEC stadium and the pitch. You’ll pick up many fascinating nuggets of information during the tour, perhaps none more so than the knowledge that Glamorgan cricketer Mike Powell received permission to bury his rib here after it was removed during surgery.
If you’re in Cardiff and fancy catching a match then tickets are always available online in advance, and the atmosphere in this impressive venue must be heard to be believed.
