In celebration of The Principality Stadium’s 20th birthday, we list the greatest performances to have taken place on Cardiff soil-from Six Nation Grand Slams to a Beyonce and Jay-Z joint tour.
As Cardiff’s Principality Stadium celebrates the 20th anniversary since its opening, we look back at 20 of the most iconic moments the stadium has seen in its history.
U2 rock Cardiff
Bono and co. attracted the biggest concert crowd to the Principality Stadium in 2009, with almost 74,000 fans in attendance. Their incredible 360-degree stage wowed the Cardiff crowd.
Six Nations Grand Slams
Wales broke their 27-year duck with a Grand Slam victory in 2005. Since then, under Warren Gatland the Wales rugby team have won three more Grand Slams, including the 2019 tournament.
European rugby royalty
The Principality stadium has hosted the climax of the European Cup in its various forms, on 5 occasions. These include unforgettable finals such as Munster’s two victories and Leinster’s remarkable comeback against Northampton Saints.
The only Rugby Union penalty shoot out
After a 26-26 draw between Leicester and the Cardiff Blues in the 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final, the first and only penalty shootout took place. Leicester took the spoils as Martyn Williams hooked his effort wide.
Queen Bey and Jay-Z kick off their UK tour in style
Beyonce and Jay-Z marked the opening night of their joint tour with an epic two-and-a-half-hour show, which never slowed down. 60,000 cheered on as the power couple blew them away.
IRB 7's 2001
The IRB World Seven’s Series rolled into Cardiff in 2001, bringing a new format of rugby to the stadium. New Zealand ran out winners as Wales made the plate final.
Rugby World Cup venue
The Principality Stadium hosted the final of the 1999 Rugby World Cup, where Australia beat France to the title. The stadium also hosted 8 matches of the 2015 tournament as New Zealand won back-to-back world titles.
A historical debut
The Principality’s first rugby match was to be a historic one; Wales finally got their first win over South Africa. Only 27,000 fans were able to watch the occasion as the stadium was not yet finished!
London 2012 comes to Cardiff
Cardiff hosted the first event of the 2012 London Olympics as the Great Britain Women’s team beat New Zealand 1-0. The stadium hosted a further 10 matches including the Men’s Bronze medal match.
A home for speedway
The Principality Stadium has played host to the World Speedway Championships as the British FIM Speedway Grand Prix on multiple occasions, with 40,000 the average attendance.
The rise of Anthony Joshua
78,000 people showed up to watch heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua take on Carlos Takam in 2017-the highest attendance recorded at the stadium. Anthony Joshua also beat Kiwi Joseph Parker in the Welsh capital.
The magic of the FA Cup
Principality Stadium hosted the FA Cup from 2001 to 2006. FA Cup highlights include Michael Owen’s magical double beating Arsenal in 2001, and ‘Gerrard’s Cup Final’ where Liverpool beat West Ham on penalties.
Coldplay colour Cardiff
In a vibrant and colourful performance, Chris Martin and co showed why they are one of the best live performers in the world in front of a sold-out stadium.
The home of Welsh football
From 2000 to 2011, the stadium was the almost-permanent home of the Wales national team with most of the matches being played at Principality. The most famous of all came when Wales stunned Italy 2-1 in 2001.
Rugby league drama
The Challenge Cup final took place in Cardiff in 2005 and the travelling fans were treated to one of the best finals of all time. A last-minute conversion saw Hull beat overwhelming favourites Leeds 25-24.
Joe Calzaghe's defining fight
The Welshmen gave his best performance in his 44th fight as he defeated Mikkel Kessler to stretch is unbeaten run at the age of 35.
Ireland end their Grand Slam duck
A late Ronan O’Gara drop goal meant Ireland won their first Six Nations Grand Slam in 61 years. They beat Wales 18-15 in one of the most dramatic matches the Principality Stadium has ever seen.
Champions League final
In 2017, the Principality Stadium hosted the UEFA Champions League Final as Real Madrid crushed Juventus 4-1 in a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired performance. Welshman Gareth Bale came on as a substitute in his homecoming.
Pink dazzles in the capital
The hugely popular American singer-songwriter wowed the sold-out Cardiff crowd as she sling-shot her way around the stadium, in an incredible aerial performance.
The Lions on home soil
In 2005, in preparation for their tour to New Zealand, the British and Irish Lions took on a much-weakened Argentina side. In front of 61,000, the Lions drew 25-25 in a dreadful performance that would sow the seeds for their upcoming tour.
Enjoy our luxury hospitality packages for events at the Principality Stadium including Wales 2020 Guinness Six Nations campaign.
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