Heavyweight World title boxing match comes to Cardiff
On the 28th of October this year, Anthony Joshua will raise his gloves against Kubrat Pulev on the same day that Cardiff City fans will hope to see a home win against Millwall FC in what’s set to be an epic sporting day in the city.
Hotel rooms are selling like hot cakes and Air BnBers are set to cash in as tens of thousands of people descend on Cardiff to watch one of the biggest events in the boxing calendar.
As Cardiffians have come to expect,road closures will be in place and there will be changes to train services. Read on for more information.
Tickets for the blockbuster Heavyweight World title clash, expected to attract a huge global audience, go on pre-sale to Matchroom Fight Pass members this afternoon, September 11, and general sale on Tuesday, September 12, ahead of the October 28 event live on Sky Sports Box Office.
With an expected sell-out crowd of 75,000, the authorities are advising all ticket holders to plan ahead for the event, plan their travel in advance and arrive in Wales and Cardiff in ample time.
Those travelling by car are strongly advised to book a space in the park & ride facility through this link
The park & ride facility will be located at the Pentwyn (Cardiff East) site. The bookings will be closely monitored by the authorities as capacity is able to be increased up to 4000 spaces at different locations.
Due to the high-demand expected when tickets go on sale, the importance of advanced planning is the advice from the venue and all city-centre travel and transport providers.
With enhanced security checks taking place at Principality Stadium, all ticketholders should expect to be searched on entry to the venue.
Boxing fans are therefore urged to plan to arrive at the stadium in plenty of time, leave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listed here before buying tickets.
Gates are set to open at 5pm, with the undercard at 7pm (approx) and the main fight at 10.30pm (approx).
Trains
Network Rail
Network Rail has advised of planned railway upgrade work between London and Cardiff. There will be fewer trains travelling to Cardiff on Saturday, October 28, and there will be no trains back to London or Bristol after the fight is scheduled to finish.
On Sunday, October 29, services will resume, with rail replacement buses running between Cardiff Central and Newport.
The improvement work will result in train diversions and rail replacement services on some routes.
Great Western Railway
To Cardiff on Saturday, October 28
From London Paddington
One train an hour to Cardiff Central which will be running non-stop from Swindon to Newport via a diverted route. These trains will not call at Bristol Parkway.
There will be no trains to London after the scheduled fight finish time.
From Bristol, Taunton and Portsmouth
Trains from Taunton and Portsmouth Harbour will terminate at Bristol Parkway. A rail replacement service will run from Bristol Parkway to Newport, for connecting trains to Cardiff Central.
There will be no trains towards Bristol after the scheduled fight finish time.
From Cardiff on Sunday, October 29
There will be no trains between Cardiff Central and Newport until 1pm. Boxing fans are advised to travel later in the day as replacement bus services will be busy.
To London Paddington after 1pm
One train an hour from Cardiff Central which will be running non-stop from Newport to Swindon via a diverted route. These trains will not call at Bristol Parkway.
To Bristol, Taunton and Portsmouth
Rail replacement services will be running from Newport to Bristol Parkway, for connecting trains to Bristol Temple Meads, Taunton and Portsmouth Harbour.
Passengers are advised to plan their journey in advance at www.nationalrail.co.uk or by calling Travel Line Cymru on 0800 464 0000.
Arriva Trains Wales are currently working to finalise services for their network across Wales and the Marches on October 28. Full details will be updated on their website at www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk as soon as they are confirmed.
Motorways and trunk roads
As with all major events, ticket holders are encouraged to plan well ahead and make allowances for busy motorways and trunk roads.
Non-ticket holders may also want to consider avoiding the main roads into Cardiff on Saturday, October 28, and plan motorway journeys accordingly.
On Saturday, October 28, there will be a full city centre road closure in Cardiff from 3pm until 12.30am.
However, from early in the day, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed as a result of the need to prepare Gate 5 and protect queuing fans.
The following roads will be closed as part of the full city centre road closure:
- Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street.
- Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street.
- Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted via Fitzhammon Embankment.)
- Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted.)
- Saunders Road from its junction with St Mary Street.
- Customhouse Street throughout its length (access to private car parks will be permitted).
- Penarth Road from its junction with Saunders Road to the entrance leading to the rear of the Central Train Station.
- The following roads will be closed in their entirety: Duke Street, Castle St, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road.
Additions:
Civic Centre:Access to part of the Civic Centre will be controlled throughout the day, with access allowed only for event parking, limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks.
Roads affected include: King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road.
Please note:
If there are any safety concerns in connection with crowds queuing to go into the venue prior to gates opening, there may be a need to close Wood Street and Westgate Street earlier, along with lane restrictions adjacent to Gate 1 on Cowbridge Road East.
If there are any safety concerns relating to the queuing system at Cardiff Central Train Station, then Wood Street, Westgate Street, Park Street, Havelock Street, St Mary Street, Penarth Road, Saunders Road and Customhouse Street will remain closed until safety concerns are remedied.
Can you cycle or walk?
Those who live locally in Cardiff may want to travel by bicycle or walk.Research shows us that 52% of car trips made in the Welsh capital are less than 5km. This is a distance that can be comfortably cycled in 20 minutes.
We also know that 28% of Cardiff residents who currently do not cycle would like to do so.
When the roads are congested this makes cycling an even more attractive option as travel by bicycle would be quicker than a car during rush hours or during big events.
Park & Ride
Cars – Park and Ride site is accessed from J29 of the M4
Cardiff East (Pentwyn) Park and Ride(600 spaces available for pre-book only)
Getting there: Access from Junction 29 of the M4, then follow signage to the site.
Drop-off point: Churchill Way
Distance from city centre: 4.5 miles (18 to 20 mins)
Cost: £10.
To pre book your park and ride, click onhttps://www.parkjockey.com/principality-stadium
All Park and Ride customers are advised to follow the signage to the site at the time of their arrival.
The car park will have a staff presence from 9am and will open at 9am, with the first bus at 9.30am. The last bus will leave the pick-up point at 12.30am, with the car park closing at 1am.
Event Day Parking
Sophia Gardens(cars)
(Approximately, 0.5 mile walk to the Principality Stadium, Gate 2).
Sophia Gardens Event Day Parking
Getting there: Exit junction 32 of M4
Cost: £15 payable on the day at the car park (cash only)
Parking time: Car park opens at 8am and closes at midnight
Please note:Sophia Gardens car park will be staffed until 11.30pm, all vehicles are left on site at the owner’s risk. Cardiff Council will not be held responsible for any theft or damage to motor vehicles or personal possessions. Any vehicles left in the car park after closing time will be fined.
Civic centre (cars, mini buses and coaches)
(Approximately 0.5 miles walk to the Principality Stadium, Gate 2)
Civic centre Event Day Parking (cars)
Getting there: Exit Junction 32 of the M4, head south on the A470 towards the city centre and follow signage to the civic centre.
Cost: £12 pre-book online or £15 payable on the day at the car park (cash only).
Parking time: The car park opens at 8am and closes at midnight.
To pre-book your parking, click on to:https://www.parkjockey.com/principality-stadium(this is available to cars only).
Civic Centre Event Day Parking (coaches and mini buses)
Getting there: Exit Junction 32 of the M4, head south on the A470 towards the city centre and follow signage to the civic centre.
Cost: £20 payable on the day at the car park (cash only).
Parking time: The car park opens at 8am and closes at midnight.
Disabled parking
Disabled drivers are advised to use Sophia Gardens. Disabled parking is also available at various private car parks. Please check individual websites for availability.
Taxis– St Mary Street taxi rank (outside the House of Fraser) will be closed from 3pm and will re-open from 12.30am.
Park and Ride sites will be further added to the Parkjockey site as demand requires. We will offer County Hall (500 spaces), and will then further look to add additional sites fed from J29 / A48/ Rover Way / Eastern Bay Link Road leading to the ability to increase available parking capacity to 4000 spaces.
Cardiff City FC are at home to Millwall FC on that day and all football traffic will be advised to use J33 off the M4 to Leckwith.