Cardiff Arms Park
There can't be many rugby grounds with a name as instantly recognisable as Cardiff Arms Park. For generations, the name has been synonymous with Welsh rugby, and although its enormous neighbour now dominates the Cardiff skyline, the Arms Park remains an important part of the city's rugby identity.
Indeed, calling it the little brother of the Principality Stadium is probably being kind. The two grounds sit virtually cheek by jowl, with the Arms Park looking almost like a tiny Siamese twin attached to the enormous national stadium.But don't let its size fool you.
Cardiff Arms Park has a history that stretches back well over a century and has witnessed some extraordinary moments in Welsh rugby. This is where Cardiff RFC have played since 1969, while Cardiff Rugby also use it for their home matches. The ground is therefore still a working rugby stadium rather than simply a museum piece surrounded by memories.
It is considerably more intimate than the Principality Stadium. The capacity is only around 8,000, and that means spectators are much closer to the pitch. On a good evening, a full Arms Park can generate a surprisingly good atmosphere, particularly when Cardiff are playing one of their big URC rivals.
The location is almost impossible to beat. You are right in the centre of Cardiff, with the railway station, city centre, pubs, restaurants and the Principality Stadium all within easy walking distance. If you are travelling to the game by train, you really couldn't ask for much more convenient access.
And then there is the slightly surreal experience of walking around the ground while looking over at the Principality Stadium next door. The contrast is extraordinary. One is a vast modern arena capable of holding more than 70,000 people; the other is a relatively modest traditional rugby ground. Yet both are deeply embedded in Welsh rugby history.There is something rather reassuring about the Arms Park still being there. When the old National Stadium was replaced by the Millennium Stadium — now the Principality — there could easily have been a temptation to concentrate everything on the huge new venue. Instead, Cardiff retained its smaller, more intimate rugby ground.
For me, that's important. Not every rugby match needs a 70,000-seat stadium. Sometimes being close to the pitch and surrounded by supporters who are there specifically for their club produces a better rugby atmosphere.
The facilities are naturally much more basic than those across the road, and you shouldn't expect the polished corporate experience of the Principality. But that's not really the point. The Arms Park is about the rugby, the location and the history.Admission
Prices vary according to the URC opponent and competition, with Cardiff using different categories and promotions rather than one universal admission price. It's worth checking the fixture before travelling, particularly for the bigger Welsh derbies.
And if you are visiting Cardiff for rugby, do take a moment to appreciate the surroundings. You can stand at the Arms Park and look at the Principality Stadium next door, knowing that you are standing on one of the most historically important pieces of rugby real estate in Wales.
A tiny ground with a huge history — and probably the world's most impressive next-door neighbour.
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