View source for Cardiff Arms Park

{{short description|Sports venue in Cardiff, Wales}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Cardiff Arms Park (CAP)
| nickname = '''Rugby ground'''
| logo_image = Cardiff Arms Park logo (Twitter).jpeg
| logo_size = 250px
| image = Cardiff Arms Park and Millennium Stadium.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Cardiff Arms Park in the foreground and the Millennium Stadium in the background
| location = [[Cardiff]], Wales
| pushpin_map = Wales Cardiff Central
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Cardiff Arms Park in [[Cardiff city centre]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|51|28|47|N|3|11|1|W|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:GB}}
| broke_ground = 1967
| opened = 1969
| renovated = 
| closed = 
| demolished = 
| public_transit = [[Cardiff Central railway station]] and [[Cardiff Central bus station]]
| owner = [[Cardiff Athletic Club]]
| surface = 3G Artificial turf
| construction_cost = 
| architect = Osborne V. Webb and Partners
| main_contractors = G. A. Williamson and<br>Andrew Scott and Co.
| seating_capacity = 16,500 (1969)<ref name="capacity">{{cite web |url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/rugbynation/heineken-cup/2007/06/22/time-blues-quit-arms-park-91466-19336682/ |publisher=icWales |title=Time Blues quit Arms Park? |first=Simon |last=Thomas |date=22 June 2007 |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=24 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724133552/http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/rugbynation/heineken-cup/2007/06/22/time-blues-quit-arms-park-91466-19336682/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />12,125 (present day)<ref name="Temporary">{{cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-ready-install-temporary-7054179|newspaper=[[Western Mail (Wales)|Wales Online]]|title=Cardiff Blues ready to install temporary stands at Arms Park for Amlin Challenge Cup final as Bath and Northampton fans protest about venue|access-date=25 May 2014|archive-date=9 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009130806/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-ready-install-temporary-7054179|url-status=live}}</ref>
| tenants = [[Cardiff Rugby]]<br>(2003–2009; 2012–present)<br>[[Cardiff RFC]]<br>(1969–present)<br><br>'''Major sporting events hosted'''<br>[[2008 IRB Junior World Championship|2008 IRB Junior World Championship Semi-Final]]<br>[[2013–14 European Challenge Cup|2013–14 European Challenge Cup Final]]<br>[[Steve Robinson (boxer)|Steve Robinson]] vs. [[Naseem Hamed|Prince Naseem Hamed]]
}}
{{Infobox venue
| name =
| nickname = '''Cricket ground'''
| image = [[File:Cardiff Arms Park Cricket Ground.jpg|250px]]<br />Aerial view of the cricket ground
| location = [[Cardiff]], Wales
| coordinates = {{Coord|51|28|47|N|3|11|1|W}}
| broke_ground =
| opened = 1848
| renovated =
| closed = 1966
| demolished = 1966
| owner = [[Cardiff Athletic Club]]
| surface = [[Lawn|Grass]]
| construction_cost =
| architect =
| seating_capacity = 7,000<ref name="Cricket ground">{{cite web |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/england/content/ground/56873.html |publisher=Cricinfo (ESPN) |title=Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales |access-date=23 April 2008 |archive-date=21 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121041602/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/england/content/ground/56873.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| tenants = [[Glamorgan County Cricket Club]]<br>[[Cardiff Cricket Club]]
}}

'''Cardiff Arms Park''' ({{langx|cy|Parc yr Arfau Caerdydd}}), also known as '''The Arms Park''', is primarily a [[rugby union]] stadium, and also has a [[bowling green]]. It is situated in [[Cardiff]], Wales, next to the [[Millennium Stadium]]. The Arms Park was host to the [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|British Empire and Commonwealth Games]] in 1958, and hosted four games in the [[1991 Rugby World Cup]], including the third-place play-off. The Arms Park also hosted the inaugural [[Heineken Cup]] Final of [[1995–96 Heineken Cup|1995–96]] and the following year in [[1996–97 Heineken Cup|1996–97]].

The history of the rugby ground begins with the first [[Bleacher|stands]] appearing for spectators in the ground in 1881–1882.<ref name="Reminiscences" /> Originally the Arms Park had a cricket ground to the north and a rugby union stadium to the south. By 1969, the cricket ground had been demolished to make way for the present day rugby ground to the north and a second rugby stadium to the south, called the [[National Stadium, Cardiff|National Stadium]]. The National Stadium, which was used by [[Wales national rugby union team]], was officially opened on 7 April 1984, however in 1997 it was demolished to make way for the [[Millennium Stadium]] in 1999, which hosted the [[1999 Rugby World Cup]] and became the [[national stadium]] of Wales. The rugby ground has remained the home of the [[semi-professional]] [[Cardiff RFC]] yet the professional [[Cardiff Blues]] regional rugby union team moved to the [[Cardiff City Stadium]] in 2009, but returned three years later.

The site is owned by [[Cardiff Athletic Club]] and has been host to many sports, apart from rugby union and cricket; they include athletics, association football, [[greyhound racing]], tennis,<ref name="Tennis">{{cite web |url-access=subscription |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/History/Sophia_Gardens/Post_War.html |publisher=Glamorgan County Cricket Club & Cricket Archive |title=Post-war developments in Sophia Gardens |access-date=17 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727115510/http://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/History/Sophia_Gardens/Post_War.html |archive-date=27 July 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Welsh baseball|British baseball]] and [[boxing]]. The site also has a [[bowling green]] to the north of the rugby ground, which is used by Cardiff Athletic Bowls Club, which is the bowls section of the Cardiff Athletic Club.<ref name="Glanmor"/> The National Stadium also hosted many music concerts including [[Michael Jackson]], [[Dire Straits]], [[David Bowie]], [[Bon Jovi]], [[The Rolling Stones]] and [[U2]].

== History ==

=== Early history of the site ===
{{multiple image
 | align = left
 | direction = horizontal
 | image1 = Cardiff Arms Hotel, Broad Street, Cardiff.jpg
 | width1 = 175
 | alt1 =
 | caption1 = Cardiff Arms Hotel
 | image2 = Arms Park Grand Stand, Cardiff, 1885.jpg
 | width2 = 191
 | alt2 =
 | caption2 = The inauguration of the Grandstand on 26 December 1885
}}

The Cardiff Arms Park site was originally called the Great Park,<ref name="Centenary">{{cite document|year=2006 |title=The Cardiff Centenary Walk |publisher= [[Cardiff Council]]}}</ref> a swampy meadow behind the Cardiff Arms Hotel. The hotel was built by [[Sir Thomas Morgan, 1st Baronet|Sir Thomas Morgan]], during the [[reign]] of [[Charles I of England|Charles I]].<ref name="Red House">{{cite web|url=http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/large/item/GTJ73155/|publisher=Culturenet Cymru|title=Cardiff Arms Hotel, Broad Street, Cardiff, late 19th century|access-date=11 February 2011}}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Cardiff Arms Park was named after this hotel.<ref name="Demolished">{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=48207 |publisher=University of London & History of Parliament Trust |title='The older inns of Cardiff', Cardiff Records: volume 5 (1905), pp. 438–445. |access-date=26 April 2008}}</ref> From 1803, the Cardiff Arms Hotel and the Park had become the property of the [[Marquess of Bute|Bute]] family.<ref name="Cricket ground" /><ref name="Bute">{{cite web |url=http://www.glamro.gov.uk/check/Building%20of%20a%20Capital%202/Teach/a_recreation.html |publisher=Glamorgan Record Office |title=Parks and Gardens |access-date=26 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123035808/http://www.glamro.gov.uk/check/Building%20of%20a%20Capital%202/Teach/a_recreation.html |archive-date=23 November 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Arms Park soon became a popular place for sporting events, and by 1848, [[Cardiff Cricket Club]] was using the site for its cricket matches.<ref name="Cricket ground" /> However, by 1878, Cardiff Arms Hotel had been demolished.<ref name="Demolished"/>

[[John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute|The 3rd Marquess of Bute]] stipulated that the ground could only be used for "recreational purposes".<ref name="Bute" /> At that time Cardiff Arms Park had a [[cricket]] ground to the north and a rugby union ground to the south. 1881–2 saw the first stands for spectators; they held 300 spectators and cost £50.<ref name="Reminiscences">{{cite book |author=Red Dragon |title=''Reminiscences of the Cardiff Rugby Football Club'', "Opening ceremony of the new stands, Cardiff Arms Park", 5 October&nbsp;1912 |year=1912 |publisher=Cardiff Rugby Football Club }}</ref> The architect was [[Archibald Leitch]], who also designed [[Ibrox Stadium]] and [[Old Trafford]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.structurae.de/persons/data/index.cfm?ID=d006772|publisher=Nicolas Janberg ICS|title=Archibald Leitch|access-date=24 November 2008|archive-date=9 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709110537/http://en.structurae.de/persons/data/index.cfm?ID=d006772|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1890, new standing areas were constructed along the entire length of the ground, with additional stands erected in 1896.<ref name="Stands"/>

=== 1912 redevelopment ===
By 1912, the Cardiff Football Ground, as it was then known, had a new south stand and temporary stands on the north, east and west ends of the ground.<ref name="Reminiscences" /> The south stand was covered, while the north terrace was initially without a roof.<ref name="Reminiscences" /> The improvements were partly funded by the [[Welsh Rugby Union]] (WRU).<ref name="Stands" /> The opening ceremony took place on 5 October 1912, with a match between [[Newport RFC]] and Cardiff RFC. The new ground was opened by [[Lord Ninian Crichton-Stuart]].<ref name="Reminiscences" /> This new development increased the ground capacity to 43,000 and much improved facilities at the ground compared to the earlier stands.<ref name="Reminiscences" /><ref name="Stands">{{cite web|url-access=subscription|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/History/Cardiff_Arms_Park/Rugby.html|publisher=Glamorgan County Cricket Club & CricketArchive|title=Rugby at Cardiff Arms Park|access-date=16 February 2008|archive-date=4 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304123920/http://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/History/Cardiff_Arms_Park/Rugby.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1922, [[John Crichton-Stuart, 4th Marquess of Bute|The 4th Marquess of Bute]] sold the entire site and it was bought by the Cardiff Arms Park Company Limited for £30,000. It was then leased to the Cardiff Athletic Club (cricket and rugby sections) for 99 years at a cost of £200 per annum.<ref name="Glanmor"/><ref name="Development">{{cite document|last=Harris [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire|CBE]] LLD (Hons)|first=Kenneth M|title=''The Story of the Development of the National Rugby Ground'' 7 April&nbsp;1984 |year=1984 |publisher=[[Welsh Rugby Union]] }}</ref>

=== North and South Stand redevelopments ===

[[File:Cardiff Arms Park New North Stand.jpg|thumb|left|The 1934 new North Stand, rugby ground, Cardiff Arms Park]]

During 1934 the cricket pavilion had been demolished to make way for the new North Stand<ref name="Cricket ground" /> which was built on the rugby union ground, costing around £20,000.<ref name="Record Office">{{cite web |url=http://www.glamro.gov.uk/check/Building%20of%20a%20Capital%202/A_Leisure.html |publisher=Glamorgan Record Office |title=''Cardiff: the building of a capital'' |access-date=5 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020103532/http://www.glamro.gov.uk/check/Building%20of%20a%20Capital%202/A_Leisure.html |archive-date=20 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, in 1941 the new North Stand and part of the west [[Terrace (stadium)|terracing]] was badly damaged in [[the Blitz]] by the [[Luftwaffe]] during the Second World War.<ref name="Millennium">{{cite web |url=http://www.millenniumstadium.com/3473_3558.php |publisher=Millennium Stadium plc |title=History of the Millennium Stadium-Cardiff Arms Park Site |access-date=29 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007045937/http://www.millenniumstadium.com/3473_3558.php |archive-date=7 October 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

At a general meeting of the WRU in June 1953 they made a decision "That until such time as the facilities at [[St. Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground|Swansea]] were improved, all international matches be played at Cardiff".<ref name="Development" /> At the same time, plans were made for a new South Stand which was estimated to cost £60,000; the [[Tendering|tender]] price, however, came out at £90,000, so a compromise was made and it was decided to build a new upper South Stand costing £64,000 instead, with the Cardiff Athletic Club contributing £15,000 and the remainder coming from the WRU.<ref name="Development" /> The new South Stand opened in 1956, in time for the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.<ref name="Millennium" /> This brought the overall capacity of the Arms Park up to 60,000 spectators, of which 12,800 were seated and the remainder standing.<ref name="Stands" /><ref name="Millennium" />

[[File:Clubhouse, Cardiff Athletic Club.jpg|thumb|left|Cardiff Athletic Club]]

The Arms Park hosted the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, which was used for the athletics events, but this event caused damage to the drainage system, so much so, that other rugby unions ([[Rugby Football Union|England]], [[Scottish Rugby Union|Scotland]] and [[Irish Rugby Football Union|Ireland]]) complained after the Games about the state of the pitch.<ref name="Development" /> On 4 December 1960, due to torrential rain, the [[River Taff]] burst its banks with the Arms Park pitch being left under {{convert|4|ft|m}} of water.<ref name="Cardiff Time" /> The Development Committee was set up to resolve these issues on a permanent basis. They looked at various sites in Cardiff, but they all proved to be unsatisfactory.<ref name="Development" /> They also could not agree a solution with the Cardiff Athletic Club, so they purchased about {{convert|80|acre|m2}} of land at Island Farm in [[Bridgend]],<ref name="Development" /> which was previously used as a [[prisoner-of-war camp]]. It is best known for being the camp where the biggest escape attempt was made by German [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] in Great Britain during the Second World War.<ref name="Island">{{cite web |url=http://www.islandfarm.fsnet.co.uk/ |publisher=islandfarm.fsnet.co.uk/ |title=Island Farm, Prisoner of War Camp: 198 / Special Camp: XI |access-date=15 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819152744/http://www.islandfarm.fsnet.co.uk/ |archive-date=19 August 2007}}</ref> Due to problems including transport issues [[Glamorgan County Council]] never gave outline planning permission for the proposals and by June 1964 the scheme was abandoned.<ref name="Development" /> At that stage, the cricket ground to the north was still being used by [[Glamorgan County Cricket Club]], and the rugby union ground to the south was used by the national Wales team and Cardiff RFC.<ref name="CAP1">{{cite news|url=https://www.cardiffrugby.wales/cardiff-arms-park|website=cardiffrugby.wales|title=Arms Park|access-date=22 April 2024|archive-date=21 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421213257/https://www.cardiffrugby.wales/cardiff-arms-park|url-status=live}}</ref>

By 7 October 1966, the first floodlit game was held at Cardiff Arms Park, a game in which Cardiff RFC beat [[Barbarian F.C.|the Barbarians]] by 12 points to 8.<ref name="Cardiff Time">{{cite web|url=http://pirate.cardiffschools.net/cons.htm|publisher=Cardiff Council|title=Cardiff Timeline|access-date=29 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305021030/http://pirate.cardiffschools.net/cons.htm|archive-date=5 March 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== National Stadium redevelopment ===
[[File:The National Stadium The Arms Park Cardiff.jpg|thumb|right|The National Stadium]]

{{Main|National Stadium, Cardiff}}

The National Stadium, which was previously known as the Welsh National Rugby Ground, was designed by Osborne V Webb & Partners and built by G A Williamson & Associates of [[Porthcawl]] and Andrew Scott & Company of [[Port Talbot]].<ref name="Library">{{cite web |url=http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/item10/10307 |publisher=Culturenet Cymru |title=Cardiff Arms Park, 1997 |access-date=1 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503200119/http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/item10/10307 |archive-date=3 May 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=P.D. |last=Thompson |page=204 |chapter=24: The Millennium Stadium—Cardiff Arms Park |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o0BsU6JbpYAC |publisher=E & FN Spon |location=London |title=Stadia, Arenas & Grandstands |access-date=4 September 2008 |isbn=978-0-419-24040-2 |editor1-last=Thompson |editor1-first=P. |editor2-last=Tolloczko |editor2-first=J.J.A. |editor3-last=Clarke |editor3-first=J.N. |year=1998 }}</ref> In 1969 construction began on the stadium which replaced the existing rugby ground built in 1881.<ref name="pictures">{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/fascinating-pictures-show-how-different-16482100|website=walesonline.co.uk|title=The fascinating pictures that show how different Cardiff and our national stadium looked before the Principality Stadium existed|access-date=2022-12-09|date=2019-06-25|archive-date=7 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207155319/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/fascinating-pictures-show-how-different-16482100?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#amp-readmore-target|url-status=live}}</ref> The stadium was home to the [[Wales national rugby union team]] since 1964 and the [[Wales national football team]] since 1989. In 1997 the stadium was demolished to make way for the new [[Millennium Stadium]].<ref name="Demolish">{{cite news|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/gallery/how-construction-millennium-stadium-transformed-14999082|website=walesonline.co.uk|title=How the construction of the Millennium Stadium transformed the face of Cardiff|access-date=22 April 2024|date=25 June 2019|archive-date=22 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422215554/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/gallery/how-construction-millennium-stadium-transformed-14999082|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Millennium Stadium ===
[[File:Principality Stadium May 3, 2016.jpg|thumb|left|The Millennium Stadium]]
{{Main|Millennium Stadium}}

Thirteen years after the National Stadium had opened in 1984, it was considered too small and did not have the facilities required of the time and it was demolished and a new stadium, the Millennium Stadium, was built in its place (completed to a north–south alignment and opened in June 1999). This would become the fourth redevelopment on the site.<ref name="The Stadium">{{cite web |url=http://www.millenniumstadium.com/3473_3557.php |publisher=[[Millennium Stadium]] |title=Background to the Millennium Stadium Project |access-date=5 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009115105/http://www.millenniumstadium.com/3473_3557.php |archive-date=9 October 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Construction involved the demolition of a number of buildings, primarily the existing National Stadium, [[Wales Empire Pool]] in Wood Street, Cardiff Empire Telephone Exchange building and the newly built [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve]] building both in Park Street, and the [[Department of Social Security|Social Security]] offices in Westgate Street.<ref name="Millennium"/><ref name="BBC Wales">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/436549.stm |publisher=BBC |title=Two years – and one awesome stadium |access-date=24 August 2008 |date=2 September 1999 |archive-date=18 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918120127/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/436549.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The Millennium Stadium is now on roughly two-thirds of the National Stadium, but it no longer uses the Arms Park name.<ref name="Millennium" /> Since 2016, it has been known as the Principality Stadium.

== Timeline ==
{{Cardiff Arms Park and Millennium Stadium timeline}}

== Current site ==
===Rugby ground ===

{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=350
| image1 = Cardiff Arms Park - north stand.jpg|width1=1280|height1=960
| image2 = East Stand, Arms Park, Cardiff.jpg|width2=2567|height2=1722
| image3 = West Stand, Arms Park.jpg|width3=2674|height3=1648
| image4 = Cardiff Arms Park, South Stand and Millennium Stadium (North Stand).jpg|width4=2586|height4=1725
| footer = The rugby ground stands. Clockwise from upper left:<br />The North Stand, the Family Stand (east stand), the Peter Thomas Stand (south stand), Hospitality Boxes (west stand).
| footer_align = center
}}

Only the rugby ground and the Cardiff Athletic Bowls Club now use the name Cardiff Arms Park. The rugby ground has two main stands, the North Stand and the South Stand. Both the Stands have [[Terrace (stadium)|terracing]] below [[General seating|seating]].<ref name="Seating"/> The other stands in the ground are the Westgate Street end Family Stand,<ref name="Seating">{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffblues.com/tickets/seating_plan.php|publisher=[[Cardiff Blues]]|title=Seating Plan|access-date=2 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306145802/http://www.cardiffblues.com/tickets/seating_plan.php|archive-date=6 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> which has rows of seating below [[Luxury box|executive boxes]], plus the club shop, and the River Taff end (the Barry Nelmes Suite, named after [[Barry Nelmes]], the former Cardiff RFC captain),<ref name="Seating"/><ref name="Barry">{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/3402.php#.VrB6jvmLTIU|publisher=[[Cardiff Blues]]|title=Official opening ceremony of "Barry Nelmes" disabled suite at Cardiff Arms Park|access-date=2 February 2016|archive-date=17 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617115527/http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/3402.php#.VrB6jvmLTIU|url-status=dead}}</ref> which has 26 executive boxes.<ref name="Arms">{{cite web|url=http://www.freewebs.com/tims92/og041cardiffblues.htm|publisher=T.S. Rigby|title=Cardiff Blues, Cardiff Arms Park|access-date=24 May 2008|archive-date=18 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018065115/http://www.freewebs.com/tims92/og041cardiffblues.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The rugby ground has two main entrances, the south entrance, and the Gwyn Nicholls Memorial Gates ([[Angel Hotel, Cardiff|Angel Hotel]] entrance), which was unveiled on 26 December 1949 in honour of the Welsh international rugby player [[Gwyn Nicholls]].<ref name="Gate">{{cite news |url=http://www.scrum.com/2444_34795.php|work=Scrum.com |title=Dynamic Welsh duo to be inducted into International Rugby Hall of Fame|access-date=25 May 2008}}</ref> The Cardiff Athletic Clubhouse is situated in the corner of the ground between the South Stand and the Westgate Street end.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

{{multiple image|perrow = 3|total_width=475|align=left|header = Entrances to the Arms Park | heaer_align = center
| image1 = Gwyn Nicholls Memorial Gates 02.jpg|
| image2 = Gwyn Nicholls Memorial Gates 01.jpg|
| image3 = Entrance to Cardiff Arms Park.jpg|
| footer_align = center
| footer = Gwyn Nicholls Memorial Gates (Angel Hotel entrance) and the Quay Street entrance (right).
}}

The South Stand of the rugby ground formed a complete unit with the North Stand of the National Stadium. Now the same structure of the South Stand of the rugby ground is also physically attached to the North Stand of the Millennium Stadium. This section is known colloquially as Glanmor's Gap, after Glanmor Griffiths, former chair and President of the WRU.<ref name="Glanmor">{{cite news |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/old-battles-reignite-over-shared-2308785 |date=25 October 2006 |work=WalesOnline |title=Old battles reignite over shared ground plans |access-date=25 May 2013 |archive-date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009130807/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/old-battles-reignite-over-shared-2308785 |url-status=live }}</ref> This came about because the WRU were unable to secure enough funding to include the North Stand in the Millennium Stadium, and the [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]] Commission would not provide any additional funds to be used for the construction of a new ground for Cardiff RFC. The Millennium Stadium was therefore built with the old [[reinforced concrete]] structure of the National Stadium (North Stand) and the new steel Millennium Stadium structure built around it.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

There was doubt about the future of the Arms Park after 2010 following the move of the [[Cardiff Blues]] to the [[Cardiff City Stadium]]. Cardiff RFC Ltd, the company that runs Cardiff Blues and Cardiff RFC, still has a 15-year lease on the Arms Park, but talks are underway to release the rugby club from the terms of the lease, to enable the [[Millennium Stadium]] to be redeveloped with a new North Stand and adjoining convention centre. However, it still has the original requirement on the lease, that the land will only be used for "recreational purposes", as stipulated by the Bute family. But the Arms Park site is a prime piece of [[real estate]] in the centre of Cardiff, which means that it may be difficult to sell the land to [[property developers]]. The estimated value of the whole Arms Park site could be at least £25&nbsp;million, although with the "recreational use" requirement, its actual value could be a lot less than that figure.<ref name="Glanmor"/> A decision by Cardiff Athletic Club on the future of the Arms Park has yet to be made.<ref name="Ninian">{{cite web |url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0600soccer/0200news/tm_headline=stadium-switch-turns-spotlight-on-arms-park&method=full&objectid=19816411&siteid=50082-name_page.html |publisher=[[Media Wales]] |title=Stadium switch turns spotlight on Arms Park |access-date=27 February 2008}}</ref> In 2011, the [[Cardiff Blues]] regional rugby union team made a £6&nbsp;million bid for the Arms Park, later the WRU made an increased bid of £10&nbsp;million for the site. Both bids were rejected by the trustees of the Cardiff Athletic Club.<ref name="Bids">{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/02/23/wru-made-10m-bid-for-cardiff-arms-park-91466-28220384/|publisher=[[Media Wales]]|title=WRU made £10m bid for Cardiff Arms Park|date=23 February 2011|access-date=24 February 2011|archive-date=13 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013175634/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/02/23/wru-made-10m-bid-for-cardiff-arms-park-91466-28220384/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in 2012 [[Cardiff Blues]] announced that they would be making a permanent return to Cardiff Arms Park following declining attendances at the Cardiff City Stadium.<ref name="return">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/17995008|work=BBC News|title=Cardiff Blues announce return to Arms Park|access-date=9 May 2012|archive-date=11 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511070016/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17995008|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 2013 off-season, the pitch at the rugby ground was replaced with an all weather 3G (third generation) artificial turf surface from [[FieldTurf]] at a cost of £400,000,<ref name="3gsurface">{{cite web |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/gallery/400000-artificial-pitch-laid-cardiff-5705374 |publisher=[[Media Wales]] |title=£400,000 artificial pitch laid at Cardiff Arms Park |access-date=6 November 2022 |date=1 April 2015 |archive-date=6 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106110031/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/gallery/400000-artificial-pitch-laid-cardiff-5705374 |url-status=live }}</ref> intended to prevent any adverse weather conditions from affecting the rugby.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cardiff Blues get go ahead with artificial pitch following WRU approval |url=http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/6415.php |work=cardiffblues.com |publisher=Cardiff Blues |date=13 June 2013 |access-date=13 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616233409/http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/6415.php |archive-date=16 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

; <big>'''Proposed redevelopment'''</big>

An agreement in principle was reached in December 2015 between the landlord of the stadium site ([[Cardiff Athletic Club]]) and its tenant (Cardiff Blues) to give the club a 150-year lease on the stadium site.<ref name="Degrees">{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/multi-million-pound-redevelopment-cardiff-10577785#rlabs=1%20rt$category%20p$7|publisher=[[Media Wales]]|title=The multi-million pound redevelopment of Cardiff Arms Park is now a step closer|date=10 December 2015|access-date=10 January 2016|archive-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113100828/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/multi-million-pound-redevelopment-cardiff-10577785#rlabs=1%20rt$category%20p$7|url-status=live}}</ref> This could see the redevelopment of the Arms Park, including a new 15,000 seater stadium at 90 degrees to the existing stadium costing between £20 million and £30 million and surrounded by new offices and apartments.<ref name="Degrees"/> If the final agreement goes ahead, Cardiff Athletic Club would receive an upfront payment of approximately £8 million.<ref name="Degrees"/> As part of the agreement, the bowls section would have to vacate its current site at the Arms Park and move to a new facility.<ref name="Degrees"/> At present Cardiff Blues pay Cardiff Athletic Club rent of around £115,000 per annum, however this would nearly double to around £200,000.<ref name="Degrees"/>

=== Bowling green ===
{{multiple image
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 | total_width       = 600
 | header            = Cardiff Athletic Bowls Club, Cardiff Arms Park
 | header_align      = center
 | header_background = 
 | footer            = 
 | footer_align      = left
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 | width             = 
 | image1            = Cardiff Athletics Bowls Club, Cardiff.jpg
 | alt1              = 
 | caption1          = The clubhouse and bowling green
 | image2            = Les Spence Memorial Gates, Cardiff Arms Park.jpg
 | alt2              = 
 | caption2          = Les Spence MBE Memorial Gates
 | image3            = Aerial view of Cardiff Arms Park.jpg
 | alt3              = 
 | caption3          = The bowling green (''left'') and the rugby ground (''right'')
}}
Cardiff Arms Park is best known as a rugby union stadium, but [[Cardiff Athletic Bowls Club]] (CABC) was established in 1923,<ref name="Bowls">{{cite web|url=http://www.cabcbowls.co.uk/|publisher=Cardiff Athletic Bowls Club|title=Cardiff Athletic Bowls Club|access-date=5 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512011508/http://www.cabcbowls.co.uk/|archive-date=12 May 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ever since then, the club has used the Arms Park as its bowling green. The bowls club is a section of the Cardiff Athletic Club and shares many of the facilities of the Cardiff Arms Park athletics centre.<ref name="The Times">{{cite news | url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/body_and_soul/article605568.ece | publisher=Times Newspapers | title=Let the good times roll | access-date=5 June 2008 | location=London | first=Alice | last=Fordham | date=12 August 2006 | archive-date=30 May 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530142109/http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/body_and_soul/article605568.ece | url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Millennium Stadium Cardiff map copy (cropped).jpg|thumb|Cardiff Arms Park including Cardiff Athletic Bowls Club]]
The Les Spence Memorial Gates were erected in memory of the former Cardiff RFU player, who captained the team in 1936–37. He was born in 1907 and became chairman of the Cardiff RFU and president of the WRU between 1973 and 1974. He was awarded an MBE and died in 1988.<ref name="Les">{{cite web|url=http://historypoints.org/index.php?page=les-spence-memorial-gates-cardiff|publisher=History Points|title=Les Spence Memorial Gates, Cardiff Arms Park|access-date=15 June 2013|archive-date=6 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106032213/http://historypoints.org/index.php?page=les-spence-memorial-gates-cardiff|url-status=live}}</ref>

The club has produced two Welsh international bowlers; Mr. C Standfast in 1937 and Mr. B Hawkins who represented Wales in the 1982 World Pairs and captained Wales in 1982 and 1984.<ref name="Bowls"/>
{{clear|left}}

== Usage ==

=== Association football ===
The Riverside Football Club, founded in 1899, played some matches at the Arms Park until 1910, when they moved to [[Ninian Park]],<ref name="Record Office" /> and later became [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City Football Club]].

On 31 May 1989, [[Wales national football team|Wales]] played its first international game against [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] at the National Stadium in a [[1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4|World Cup qualifying match]], which ended goalless. It was also the first ever international [[Association football|football]] match held in Great Britain that was watched by all-seater spectators.<ref name="Football">{{cite document|last=Pursey MBE |first=Ivor |date=31 May 1989 |title=History in the Making: Wales V. West Germany. A Message from the President of the F.A.W. |publisher=Football Association of Wales Match Programme }}</ref>

The adjoining Cardiff Rugby Club ground has also been used for Association Football. In July 1995, [[Ton Pentre F.C.|Ton Pentre]] played two [[Intertoto Cup]] games there, against Heerenveen (Netherlands) and Uniao Leiria (Portugal) as their own ground was not suitable. The Heerenveen game - the first ever soccer match to be played there - kicked off at 6pm on Saturday 1 July 1995 and resulted in the Dutch side winning 7–0. The Wales U-21 team have also played a home game there in the late 1990s.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

On 5 April 2017, the ground was used to host the men's and women's football matches as part of the 2017 [[Welsh Varsity]], between [[Cardiff University]] and [[Swansea University]]. The women's game finished in a 1-1 draw, while the men's game resulted in a 1-0 win for Swansea.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/gairrhyddsport/status/849641908225933314|title=Gair Rhydd Sport on X}}</ref>

=== Athletics ===
In 1958, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Cardiff. The event was (to date) the biggest sporting event ever held in Wales; however, it would not have been possible without the financial support given by the WRU and the Cardiff Athletic Club.<ref name="Development" /> Both the opening and closing ceremonies took place at Cardiff Arms Park, plus all the track and field events, on what had been the [[greyhound]] track.<ref name="Development" /> It would turn out to be the last time that [[South Africa at the Commonwealth Games|South Africa would participate in the Games]] until 1994. South Africa withdrew from the [[Commonwealth Games]] in 1961.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Skillen |first1=Fiona |last2=McDowell |first2=Matthew |date=2014-07-24 |title=Commonwealth Games Mandela tribute overlooks a mixed record on apartheid |url=http://theconversation.com/commonwealth-games-mandela-tribute-overlooks-a-mixed-record-on-apartheid-29682 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=The Conversation |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605161058/http://theconversation.com/commonwealth-games-mandela-tribute-overlooks-a-mixed-record-on-apartheid-29682 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Baseball and British baseball ===
Baseball was established early on in Cardiff, and one of the earliest of games to be held at the Arms Park was on 18 May 1918. It was a charity match in aid of the Prisoner of War Fund between Welsh and American teams of the U.S. Beaufort and U.S. Jupiter. [[Welsh baseball|British baseball]] matches have also regularly taken place at the Arms Park and hosted the annual England versus Wales international game every four years.<ref name="Media">{{cite web |url=http://www.weltchmedia.com/baseball.html |publisher=Welsh Baseball Union |title=The web page of the Welsh Baseball Union |access-date=6 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225182851/http://www.weltchmedia.com/baseball.html |archive-date=25 February 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Albion">{{cite web |url=http://www.grangealbionbaseball.co.uk/9.html |publisher=Grange Albion Baseball Club |title=Grange Albion Baseball Club |access-date=6 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513221032/http://www.grangealbionbaseball.co.uk/9.html |archive-date=13 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The games are now usually held at [[Roath Park]].

=== Boxing ===
The first [[boxing]] contest held at the Arms Park was on 24 January 1914, when [[Bombardier Billy Wells]] beat Gaston Pigot by a [[knockout]] in the first round of a 20-round contest.<ref name="Boxing 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxrec.com/date_search.php?yyyy=1914&mm=01&dd=24|publisher=[[BoxRec]]|title=Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom|access-date=14 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010191952/http://boxrec.com/date_search.php?yyyy=1914&mm=01&dd=24|archive-date=10 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Boxing contests were held later on 14 June 1943, 12 August 1944, 4 October 1951 and 10 September 1952.<ref name="Box">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxrec.com/location.php?country_code=UK&region_name=null&towncity_name=&towncity_id=22698&venue_name=&venue_id=27613&yyyy=&submit=Go|publisher=[[BoxRec]]|title=Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom|access-date=14 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010192002/http://boxrec.com/location.php?country_code=UK&region_name=null&towncity_name=&towncity_id=22698&venue_name=&venue_id=27613&yyyy=&submit=Go|archive-date=10 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Around 25,000 spectators watched international boxing on 1 October 1993, at the National Stadium with a [[World Boxing Council]] (WBC) [[Heavyweight]] title bout between [[Lennox Lewis vs. Frank Bruno|Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno]]. It was the first time that two British-born boxers had fought for the world heavyweight title.<ref name="Bout">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/10/sports/boxing-bruno-vs-lewis-a-personal-battle-of-britain.html |publisher=[[The New York Times Company]] |title=Bruno vs. Lewis: A Personal Battle of Britain |access-date=15 November 2009 |first=Gerald |last=Eskenazi |date=10 August 1993 |archive-date=3 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503095827/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/10/sports/boxing-bruno-vs-lewis-a-personal-battle-of-britain.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Lennox Lewis|Lewis]] beat [[Frank Bruno|Bruno]] by a [[Knockout|technical knockout]] in the 7th round, in what was called the "Battle of Britain".<ref name="Lewis">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxing2007.com/PressRelease/2008/MaskaevPeterStatistics.htm|publisher=pound4pound.com|title=WBC Statistics|access-date=12 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003231135/http://www.boxing2007.com/PressRelease/2008/MaskaevPeterStatistics.htm|archive-date=3 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Robinson" /> On 30 September 1995, [[Steve Robinson (boxer)|Steve Robinson]] the [[World Boxing Organization]] (WBO) World Featherweight Champion, lost against [[Naseem Hamed|Prince Naseem Hamed]] at the rugby ground in 8 rounds.<ref name="Robinson">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A28661691|publisher=BBC|title=Cardiff's greatest fight nights|access-date=12 May 2008|archive-date=27 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327040619/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A28661691|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Cricket ===
In 1819, [[Cardiff Cricket Club]] was formed and by 1848 they had moved to their new home at the Arms Park.<ref name="Cricket History">{{cite web |url-access=subscription |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/History/Cardiff_Arms_Park/Early_Cricket.html |publisher=Glamorgan County Cricket Club & CricketArchive |title=Cardiff Arms Park – a short History – Early Cricket in Cardiff |access-date=7 May 2008 |archive-date=4 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304123805/http://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/History/Cardiff_Arms_Park/Early_Cricket.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Glamorgan County Cricket Club]], at the time not a [[First-class cricket|first-class]] county, played their first match at the ground in June 1869 against [[Monmouthshire County Cricket Club|Monmouthshire Cricket Club]].<ref name="Early Cricket">{{cite web |url-access=subscription |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/History/Cardiff_Arms_Park/Early_County_Cricket.html |publisher=Glamorgan County Cricket Club & CricketArchive |title=Cardiff Arms Park – a short History – Early County Cricket at the Arms Park |access-date=7 May 2008 |archive-date=4 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304123800/http://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/History/Cardiff_Arms_Park/Early_County_Cricket.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The county club played their first [[County Championship]] match on the ground in 1921,<ref name="Championship cricket">{{cite web|url-access=subscription|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/History/Cardiff_Arms_Park/Glamorgan_First_Win.html|publisher=Glamorgan County Cricket Club & CricketArchive|title=Cardiff Arms Park – a short History – Championship cricket at the Arms Park|access-date=7 May 2008|archive-date=4 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304123916/http://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/History/Cardiff_Arms_Park/Glamorgan_First_Win.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> competing there every season (except while first-class cricket was suspended during the Second World War) until their final match on the ground against [[Somerset County Cricket Club|Somerset]] in August 1966.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Cardiff Cricket Club played their final game at the ground against Lydney Cricket Club on 17 September 1966. Both Cardiff Cricket Club and Glamorgan then moved to a new ground at [[Sophia Gardens]] on the opposite bank of the River Taff to the Arms Park following work on the creation of the national rugby stadium.<ref name="County End">{{cite web|url-access=subscription|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/History/Cardiff_Arms_Park/County_End.html|publisher=Glamorgan County Cricket Club & CricketArchive|title=Cardiff Arms Park – a short History – The end of county cricket at the Arms Park|access-date=7 May 2008|archive-date=4 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304123755/http://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/History/Cardiff_Arms_Park/County_End.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The first first-class cricket match to be held on the ground was between West of England and East of England, on 20 June 1910. In all more than 240 first-class matches were played on the ground, all but two involving Glamorgan as the home team.<ref name="Grounds">{{cite web|url=http://cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Grounds/90/381_f.html|website=CricketArchive|title=First-Class Matches played on Cardiff Arms Park|access-date=7 May 2008|archive-date=5 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305061000/http://cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Grounds/90/381_f.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Only one [[List A cricket]] match was played on the ground, Glamorgan's [[Gillette Cup (England)|Gillette Cup]] fixture against Somerset on 22 May 1963.<ref name="Gillette">{{cite web |url-access=subscription |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/Grounds/381_a.html |publisher=Glamorgan County Cricket Club & CricketArchive |title=Glamorgan List A Matches played on Cardiff Arms Park |access-date=6 May 2008 |archive-date=15 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515133810/http://www.cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/Grounds/381_a.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Greyhound racing ===
[[File:Cardiff (Arms Park) greyhound track c.1960.jpg|thumb|Part of the greyhound track at the National Stadium with part of the North Stand (top left), offices (top middle) and part of the East Terrace (top right).]]
{{main|Cardiff Greyhounds}}
[[Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom|Greyhound racing]] took place at the Arms Park for fifty years from 1927 until 1977.<ref>{{cite book|last=Barnes|first=Julia|title=Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File|year=1988|publisher=Ringpress Books Ltd|isbn=0-948955-15-5}}</ref>

=== Rugby union ===
In 1876, the Cardiff RFC was formed and soon after they also used the park. On 12 April 1884, the first international match was played at the ground between Wales and [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]], when 5,000 people watched Wales beat Ireland by two tries and a drop goal to nil.<ref name="Development" />

The Arms Park rugby ground became the permanent home of the [[Wales national rugby union team]] in 1964. Later, the National Stadium was also home to the [[WRU Challenge Cup]] from 1972 until the match held at the Stadium on 26 April 1997, at a much reduced capacity, between Cardiff RFC and [[Swansea RFC]]. Cardiff RFC won the match 33–26.<ref name="Challenge Cup">{{cite web |url=http://www.wru.co.uk/86_641.php |publisher=Welsh Rugby Union |title=Konica Minolta Cup: a brief history |access-date=7 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430014638/http://www.wru.co.uk/86_641.php |archive-date=30 April 2008 }}</ref>

{{Quote box
| width=30%
| align=left
| quote=''The game'' (between the Barbarians and the New Zealand All Blacks) ''is one I will never forget and those of us who played in it will never be allowed to forget. It is a match that will live with me forever. People tend only to remember the first four minutes of the game because of the try, but what they forgot is the great deal of good rugby played afterwards, much of which came from the All Blacks. After the success of the [[1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1971 Lions tour]], which captured the imagination of the whole country, it was an opportunity to bring a lot of that side together again.''
| source='''Gareth Edwards'''<ref name="Barbarian">{{cite web |author=Donna Gee |date=13 March 2007 |url=http://www.sportingo.com/Rugby/a2680_Was-this-greatest-rugby-try |publisher=SportBuzz |title=Was this the greatest rugby try of all time? |access-date=26 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727203637/http://www.sportingo.com/Rugby/a2680_Was-this-greatest-rugby-try |archive-date=27 July 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

The [[National Stadium, Cardiff|National Stadium]] is best known as the venue for what is considered to be "[[the greatest try ever scored]]" by [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]] for [[Barbarian F.C.|the Barbarians]] against [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]] in what is also called "the greatest match ever played" on 27 January 1973.<ref name="Amazon">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/1973-All-Blacks-Barbarians-DVD/dp/B000UO9CPK|publisher=Amazon.com, Inc.|title=1973 All Blacks vs Barbarians DVD|access-date=11 May 2008|archive-date=13 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213221036/http://www.amazon.com/1973-All-Blacks-Barbarians-DVD/dp/B000UO9CPK|url-status=live}}</ref> The final result was a win for the Barbarians. The score, 23–11, which translates to 27–13 in today's scoring system.

The scorers were:
<br />
Barbarians: [[Try (rugby)|Tries]]: [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]], [[Fergus Slattery]], [[John Bevan (rugby)|John Bevan]], [[J. P. R. Williams|J P R Williams]]; [[Try (rugby)|Conversions]]: [[Phil Bennett]] (2); [[Penalty (rugby)|Penalty]]: Phil Bennett.
<br />
All Blacks: Tries: [[Grant Batty]] (2); Penalty: [[Joseph Karam]].

The [[National Stadium, Cardiff|National Stadium]] hosted four games in the [[1991 Rugby World Cup]], including the third-place play-off.<ref name="World Cup">{{cite web |url=http://www.therugbyworldcup.co.uk/1991.html |publisher=therugbyworldcup.co.uk |title=RWC 1991 Staged in Europe |access-date=29 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515084912/http://www.therugbyworldcup.co.uk/1991.html |archive-date=15 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The National Stadium was also host to the inaugural [[Heineken Cup finals|Heineken Cup final]] of [[1995–96 Heineken Cup|1995–96]] when [[Stade Toulousain|Toulouse]] beat Cardiff RFC by 21–18 after extra time, in front of 21,800 spectators.<ref name="1995 Cup">{{cite web |url=http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/79_119.php |publisher=ERC |title=Toulouse Win Inaugural Tournament |access-date=29 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229005136/http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/79_119.php |archive-date=29 February 2008}}</ref> The following final in [[1996–97 Heineken Cup|1996–97]] was also held at the National Stadium, this time it was between [[CA Brive|Brive]] and [[Leicester Tigers]]. Brive won the match 28–9, in front of a crowd of 41,664.<ref name="1996 Cup">{{cite web |url=http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/80_118.php |publisher=ERC |title=Brive the Champions |access-date=29 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229005141/http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/80_118.php |archive-date=29 February 2008 }}</ref>

In 2008, the rugby ground hosted all the games in Pool A of the [[2008 IRB Junior World Championship]] and also the semi-final on 18 June 2008, in which [[England national under-20 rugby union team|England]] beat [[South Africa national under-20 rugby union team|South Africa]] 26–18.<ref name="2008 Cup">{{cite web |url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=18&art_id=vn20080619070737915C982514 |publisher=Independent News & Media |title=England kill off Baby Boks' world title hopes |access-date=19 June 2008 }}</ref>

[[File:Blues Vs Edinburgh at the Arms Park.jpg|thumb|Cardiff Blues versus Edinburgh, 17 May 2009]]
Until February 2012, it had been assumed that the last professional rugby union game to take place at the Arms Park was on 17 May 2009, when [[Edinburgh Rugby|Edinburgh]] beat the Cardiff Blues 36–14 in a [[Pro14|Celtic League]] match during the [[2008–09 Celtic League|2008–09]] season.<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/5339760/Edinburgh-beat-the-Blues-in-final-game-at-Cardiff-Arms-Park.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/5339760/Edinburgh-beat-the-Blues-in-final-game-at-Cardiff-Arms-Park.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |title=Edinburgh beat the Blues in final game at Cardiff Arms Park
|access-date=3 April 2011 |first=Graham |last=Clutton |date=17 May 2009 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

However, on Tuesday, 7 February 2012, it was confirmed that Cardiff Blues would face [[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]] at the Arms Park on Friday, 10 February 2012. The [[Pro14|Pro12]] League game result was a win for the Cardiff Blues 22–15 and attendance of 8,000. The following Tuesday, it was announced that the match against [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]] on Friday, 17 February, would also be at the Arms Park, resulting in a Blues win, 21–14 and attendance of 8,600. The agreement signed during 2009 tied Cardiff Blues to a 20-year contract to play a maximum of 18 games per season for a set fee, rather than per match at [[Cardiff City Stadium]]. But on 23 February, it was announced that the two Welsh 'derbies' against the [[Scarlets]] and the [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]] would be played at Cardiff City Stadium, rather than the Arms Park, because of Cardiff Blues' anticipation that the attendance figures would far exceed the maximum capacity of 9,000. On 8 May 2012, it was announced that [[Cardiff Blues]] would be returning to the Arms Park on a permanent basis after just three years at the [[Cardiff City Stadium]].<ref name="Return">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/17995008 |publisher=BBC |title=Cardiff Blues announce return to Arms Park |access-date=30 June 2012 |date=8 May 2012 |archive-date=11 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511070016/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17995008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 23 May 2014, the rugby ground hosted the final of the [[2013–14 European Challenge Cup|2013–14 Amlin Challenge Cup]] in which [[Northampton Saints]] beat [[Bath Rugby|Bath]] 30–16.<ref name="Amlin">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/27489558|publisher=[[BBC]]|title=Amlin Challenge Cup final: Bath 16-30 Northampton|access-date=25 May 2014|date=22 May 2014|archive-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525033201/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27489558|url-status=live}}</ref>

; '''Rugby World Cup'''
Cardiff Arms Park hosted matches of the [[1991 Rugby World Cup]].

{|class="wikitable"
! Date
! Competition
!colspan=2| Home team
!colspan=2| Away team
! Attendance
|-
|6 October 1991 || [[1991 Rugby World Cup|1991]] [[Rugby World Cup]] Pool 3 || {{ru|WAL}} || 13 || {{ru|SAM|name=Western Samoa}} || 16 || 45,000
|-
|9 October 1991 || [[1991 Rugby World Cup|1991]] [[Rugby World Cup]] Pool 3 || {{ru|WAL}} || 16 || {{ru|ARG}} || 7 || 35,000
|-
|12 October 1991 || [[1991 Rugby World Cup|1991]] [[Rugby World Cup]] Pool 3 || {{ru|WAL}} || 3 || {{Ru|AUS}} || 38 || 54,000
|-
|30 October 1991 || [[1991 Rugby World Cup|1991]] [[Rugby World Cup]] Third-place play-off || {{Ru|NZL}} || 13 || {{Ru|SCO}} || 6 || 47,000
|}

=== Rugby league ===
[[South Wales Ironmen|South Wales Scorpions]] played a [[League 1 (rugby league)|Rugby League Championship 1]] match against [[London Skolars]] at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday, 27 July 2014 and on Sunday 10 May 2015 at Cardiff Arms Park, South Wales Scorpions took on [[North Wales Crusaders]]. The [[2015 European Cup]] match between [[France national rugby league team|France]] and [[Wales national rugby league team|Wales]] was held at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday on 30 October 2015.

On 11 April it was announced Cardiff Arms Park would be the new home ground of the Women's Betfred Super League South team Cardiff Demons. The inaugural league champions will play all home games at the stadium during the 2022 season.

The highest attendance for a rugby league game at the Arms Park was recorded on 8 June 1996 during the first [[Super League I|Super League season]] when 6,708 saw [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]] defeat the [[Sheffield Eagles (1984)|Sheffield Eagles]] 43–32. The St Helens team at the time contained Welsh players [[Anthony Sullivan (rugby)|Anthony Sullivan]], [[Karle Hammond]] and [[Keiron Cunningham]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Super League 1996 - Round 11 - Sheffield Eagles 32 lost to St Helens 43|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/super-league-1996/round-11/sheffield-eagles-vs-st-helens/summary.html|access-date=2023-02-06|website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org|archive-date=6 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206213353/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/super-league-1996/round-11/sheffield-eagles-vs-st-helens/summary.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

; '''Rugby league test matches'''
List of rugby league test matches played at Cardiff Arms Park.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cardiff Arms Park - Results|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/venues/cardiff-arms-park/results.html|access-date=2023-02-06|website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org|archive-date=6 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206213351/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/venues/cardiff-arms-park/results.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! Test# !! Date !! Result !! Attendance !! Notes
|-
|1 || 26 June 1996 || {{rl|ENG}} 26–12 {{rl|WAL}} || 5,425 || [[1996 European Rugby League Championship]]
|-
|2 || 30 October 2015 || {{rl|WAL}} 14–6 {{rl|FRA}} || 1,028 || [[2015 European Cup]]
|}

=== Tennis ===
Tennis courts were laid out in the Arms Park for Cardiff Tennis Club until the club moved to [[Sophia Gardens]] in 1967. In 2003, the club amalgamated with Lisvane Tennis Club to form [[Lisvane (CAC) Tennis Club]], which is still a section of [[Cardiff Athletic Club]] (CAC).<ref name="Tennis 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffathleticclub.co.uk/cardiff-tennis-club.php|publisher=[[Cardiff Athletic Club]]|title=Lisvane (CAC) Tennis Club|access-date=30 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424233037/http://www.cardiffathleticclub.co.uk/cardiff-tennis-club.php|archive-date=24 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Music concerts ===
{{Main|List of concerts at the National Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park}}
{{see also|List of concerts at the Millennium Stadium}}
Major music concerts were also held at the [[National Stadium, Cardiff|National Stadium]] from 1987 until 1996, they included [[Tina Turner]], [[U2]],<ref name="Tree">{{cite web |url=http://www.u2achtung.com/03/setlists/tournee.php?id=7 |publisher=U2achtung.com|title=Joshua Tree Tour Leg 2 – Europe|access-date=11 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070723180815/http://www.u2achtung.com/03/setlists/tournee.php?id=7 |archive-date=23 July 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Michael Jackson]],<ref name="Jackson">{{cite web |url=http://www.michael-jackson-trader.com/tours/badtourdates.html |publisher=Michael Jackson Trader |title=Michael Jackson Bad World Tour Dates |access-date=11 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517051531/http://www.michael-jackson-trader.com/tours/badtourdates.html |archive-date=17 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[The Rolling Stones]],<ref name="Stones">{{cite web|url=http://www.timeisonourside.com/chron1990.html|publisher=Time Is on Our Side (Ian McPherson)|title=The Rolling Stones Chronicle, 1990, Head back to the jungle|access-date=11 May 2008|archive-date=9 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509122947/http://www.timeisonourside.com/chron1990.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dire Straits]],<ref name="Working">{{cite web |url=http://www.working-on-it.com/diary/diary.php?www=mfn&tri=all&year=yes |publisher=MK diary |title=MK diary, 1992 |access-date=11 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305142803/http://www.working-on-it.com/diary/diary.php?www=mfn&tri=all&year=yes |archive-date=5 March 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Bon Jovi]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bonjovi-live.ru/tours/Tour_TD.php|publisher=Alexandr Smolin|title=These days tour|access-date=18 September 2008|archive-date=14 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914124433/http://bonjovi-live.ru/tours/Tour_TD.php|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[R.E.M.]]<ref name="Chronicle">{{cite web |url=http://www.remchronicle.com/gig.php?showid=973 |publisher=remchronicle.com |title=23 July 1995 Cardiff, Wa |access-date=11 May 2008 |archive-date=21 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321143318/http://www.remchronicle.com/gig.php?showid=973 |url-status=live }}</ref> The last music concert was held on 14 July 1996. [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] held their annual conventions at the National Stadium.<ref name="Witness">{{cite web|url=http://www.thechristianexpositor.org/page29.html|publisher=The Christian Expositor|title='Orthodox' Heretics|access-date=11 May 2008|archive-date=5 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705084816/http://www.thechristianexpositor.org/page29.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Witnesses">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/3079941.stm |publisher=BBC |title=Witnesses unite at stadium |access-date=11 May 2008 |date=19 July 2003 |archive-date=28 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628164818/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/3079941.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Singing tradition ==
[[File:CardiffArmsParkMaleChoir.JPG|thumb|[[Cardiff Arms Park Male Choir]]]]
The National Stadium was known primarily as the venue for massed voices singing such hymns as "[[Cwm Rhondda]]", "[[Calon Lân]]", "[[Men of Harlech]]" and "[[Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau]]" ("Land of my Fathers" – the [[national anthem]] of Wales).<ref name="Australian">{{cite web |url=http://www.auswelshmalechoir.org.au/pages/history1.html |publisher=The Australian Welsh Male Choir |title=Praise the Lord, we are a musical Nation |access-date=11 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312165556/http://www.auswelshmalechoir.org.au/pages/history1.html |archive-date=12 March 2008 }}</ref> The legendary atmosphere including singing of the crowd was said to be worth at least a try or a goal to the home nation.<ref name="Singing">{{cite web |url=http://www.cardiffmatchday.co.uk/home.html |publisher=Cardiff Match Day |title=Cardiff Arms Park, The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |access-date=27 February 2008 |archive-date=5 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305022424/http://www.cardiffmatchday.co.uk/home.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This tradition of singing has now passed on to the Millennium Stadium.<ref name="Singing"/>

The Arms Park has its own choir, called the [[Cardiff Arms Park Male Choir]]. It was formed in 1966 as the Cardiff Athletic Club Male Voice Choir, and today performs internationally with a schedule of concerts and tours. In 2000, the choir changed their name to become the Cardiff Arms Park Male Choir.<ref name="Choir">{{cite web|url=http://www.malevoicechoir.net/capmc/|publisher=cardiffarmsparkmalechoir.co.uk|title=Cardiff Arms Park Male Choir|access-date=11 May 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514044039/http://www.malevoicechoir.net/capmc/|archive-date=14 May 2008}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Sports}}
*[[List of Commonwealth Games venues]]
*[[Sport in Cardiff]]

== References ==
=== Inline ===
{{Reflist}}

=== General ===
* Harris, K. M. ''The Story of the Development of the National Rugby Ground'', 7 April 1984. [http://www.rugbyrelics.com/images/aaaaa/wx/02.jpg Cover of the booklet on www.rugbyrelics.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174224/http://www.rugbyrelics.com/images/aaaaa/wx/02.jpg |date=3 March 2016 }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080503200119/http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/item10/10307 Photographs of the National Stadium in April 1997, prior to demolition]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMd7PQavavw Gareth Edwards try for the Barbarians Vs All Blacks, 27 January 1973, at the National Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205184957/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMd7PQavavw |date=5 February 2017 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080514044039/http://www.malevoicechoir.net/capmc/ Cardiff Arms Park Male Choir website]
* [http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/31606 The opening ceremony of the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Cardiff Arms Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812140237/http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/31606 |date=12 August 2007 }}
* [http://wikimapia.org/1477433/Cardiff-Arms-Park wikimapia.org image of Cardiff Arms Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522115104/http://wikimapia.org/1477433/Cardiff-Arms-Park |date=22 May 2011 }}
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/wales/1092730.stm Bill Hardiman (groundsman) profile] 
* [http://www.principalitystadium.wales/information/about-the-venue/ Principality Stadium] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213055835/https://www.principalitystadium.wales/information/about-the-venue/ |date=13 December 2018 }}

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