Cardiff Blues Chief Executive Richard Holland answers supporters' questions ahead of the Worcester Warriors match
How are things going at the Arms Park prior to the first match against Worcester?
Things are progressing well and we are very pleased with the season ticket uptake. The refurbishment of the bar areas, toilet facilities and corporate areas are on course to be ready for the first match of the season.
However, progress has been somewhat restricted due to the Olympics at the Millennium Stadium and the lock down on certain areas of the ground.
There has been a huge amount of work; the entire site has been repainted, with many of the toilet facilities being improved, all seats being renumbered, a new CCTV system fitted and the entire ground has been improved to comply with health and safety legislation.
Whilst the majority of our areas will be ready for the Worcester match, due to the Olympics some areas such as the Heineken Fan Zone and branding of site have not been completed but will be finalized ahead of the opening League match against Edinburgh.
How are season ticket sales going?
Season ticket sales to date have considerably surpassed last year’s numbers with a Blues season ticket still being the most economical way of watching matches.
Due to the capacity of Cardiff Arms Park the only way to guarantee tickets for our bigger matches such as Toulon and the Welsh derbies is to buy a season ticket.
We have made the decision to cap our season ticket sales. I would urge all fans that are considering buying a season ticket to do so now to avoid disappointment. It was our intention to issue printed season tickets prior to the Worcester match, however, due to factors beyond our control; these will now be posted out on the week commencing the 13th of August.
Terrace season tickets costs just £180 and gives you access to all matches, which works out at just over £10 a match. Admission to the Cardiff Blues v Worcester Warriors match is included as part of season ticket packages.
What will the price of a match day ticket be?
This season we will be introducing different category games. So, for example, a Heineken Cup match will be Category A with terrace tickets costing £18 and an LV=Cup match will be Category C, when ticket prices will be lower, with an adult terrace ticket costing just £12.
The Cardiff Blues v Worcester Warriors match is a Category C match. Family tickets are especially great value for this match with a family ticket for two adults and two children costing just £18, which also includes access to the Cardiff RFC v London Scottish, match.
Adult Senior Junior Students Family A (Family Stand) Family B (Winged Stands)
Category A Game Central Seating £22 £20 £12 NA
Reserved Seating £20 £18 £10 NA £30 £40
Terrace £18 £15 £8 £10
Category B Game Central Seating £20 £18 £10 NA
Reserved Seating £18 £15 £8 NA £25 £30
Terrace £15 £12 £5 £10
Category C Game Central Seating £18 £15 £5 NA
Reserved Seating £15 £12 £1 NA £18 £20
Terrace £12 £8 £1 £5
Cardiff Blues Category Matches 2012/13 Season
Category A Heineken Cup Pool Matches, Scarlets, Dragons, Ospreys
Category B Munster, Leinster, Ulster, Connacht, Glasgow, Edinburgh
Category C LV=Cup Pool Matches, Friendly Matches, Treviso, Zebres
Where can I purchase tickets?
We have had to purchase a new ticketing system with our supplier Ticketmaster who are currently integrating the system.
Tickets will be online at www.cardiffblues.co.uk/tickets or by calling the ticket office on 029 2030 2030. Supporters can also purchase tickets from the Arms Park shop leading up to the game and from the ticket office, situated opposite the Angel Hotel, on match days.
Are there any new bar facilities at the Arms Park?
The move back to the Arms Park has given us the opportunity to improve facilities to supporters and members. Downstairs in the clubhouse will remain a members bar for Cardiff Athletic Club members. Membership can be purchased for just £40.
Upstairs in the Clubhouse, the newly furbished Gareth Edwards Lounge will be our Platinum Club for corporate members.
With our brewery partner, Heineken, we are delighted to announce the new Heineken Fan Zone, which is open to all and situated under the South Stand.
Also under the South Stand, there will be two indoor public bars, The Jack Matthews Bar and The Bleddyn Williams Bar, which serve a great choice of beers but also hot food. There will also be live entertainment in the Heineken Fan Zone along with an express bar.
Another express bar situated at the river end of the South Stand and we have improved toilets facilities for both men and women in the South Stand.
The Pack Lounge, situated behind the Family Stand, has now been renamed The Martyn Williams Pack Lounge, which will be used for private hire and as a public bar. On the North Stand there will also be two bars and a food outlet along with improved toilet facilities for men and women.
What are the facilities for families?
The Family Stand is situated behind the posts on the town end of the stadium, which is easily accessible and a safe environment for families to watch top class rugby.
What facilities are there for disabled supporters?
We have a designated room for supporters who require wheelchair access at the river end of the ground. However, for the Worcester Warriors match supporters who require wheelchair access will be positioned in the Family Stand at the city end of the ground. This is due to restriction at the river end caused by the Olympics football matches held in the Millennium Stadium. There is an allocation of season long parking permits for season ticket holders who require wheelchair access.
Will there be improved signage around the ground?
Naturally we are delighted that such a great sporting event as the Olympics is being held in the Welsh capital. However, due to the restrictions on branding, the Arms Park may have an unfamiliar look to many of our supporters.
All branding and advertising boards have been removed and therefore for the Worcester Warriors we will have a completely clean stadium.
Our commercial team has been extremely busy over the last few months and I’m delighted to announce they have secured three new naming rights on the stand in the Arms Park.
The South Stand has been sponsored by Office Image and TWL Communications, the North stand by My Pension Review Ideal Group and the river end by MSS GROUP.
The Arms Park has had a bit of a facelift with not only the bar areas being improved but also the 37 hospitality boxes have been refurbished for our corporate customers.
The entire site has been given new signs, which makes the journey around the Arms Park easier for new supporters and visiting supporters as well as all the stands and terracing being given a lick of paint.
What transport and parking facilities are there at the Arms Park?
One of the challenges of moving back to the Arms Park was the limited parking spaces for supporters. However, the benefit of being back in the city centre is the abundance of public transport, with Cardiff Central train and bus station within a short walking distance to the ground. We encourage our supporters to use public transport but those who do drive can park in the NCP Car Park opposite the ground.
What are your thoughts on the fixtures that have been announced?
We are pleased that the broadcasters have given us Friday and Saturday night matches for our opening block of fixtures in the RaboDirect PRO 12. However, naturally we are disappointed that we have been allocated Sunday lunchtime for our Heineken Cup matches against Toulon and Montpellier. These are huge games for us this year and I hope those with young families will come down to watch a match. We will provide entertainment before and after the mach to cater for all and ensure it will be a great afternoon. We will be vying for a Friday or Saturday evening kick off for our Round 6 match against Sale Sharks, which will hopefully be a big match for us in the Heineken Cup.
Where can I leave feedback following my visit to the Arms Park?
We sincerely hope you enjoy the first match back at the Arms Park and appreciate all the feedback we have received since announcing the move. If you have any further feedback before or after the match we would be delighted to hear from you. Please send any comments to [email protected]