Cardiff Blues on course for another record attendance at Millennium Stadium

The current attendance record for a Pool match was set last season when Toulouse faced London Wasps in front of a 34,000 strong crowd at Le Stadium, Toulouse and this year’s pace-setters are Leinster who faced Gloucester in front of 22,500 last weekend.

But the Blues could more than double either of those figures if the fans turn out in their droves for the biggest match of Heineken Cup round 2 this weekend to be hosted at Wales’ national ground in a bold move by the region.

And following their first ever victory in France, Cardiff Blues players Xavier Rush, Martyn Williams and Deiniol Jones climbed the Stadium roof today to promote the biggest match of the season to date against the Tigers.

The Blues have sold over 10,000 tickets already, after making the bold decision to move this massive game to their neighbouring ground, and today launched 55 helium balloons, representing the 55 clubs in the Blues region, from the Stadium roof with each balloon carrying a voucher for a pair of tickets for a Blues match.

Following the victory in France the ticket office has been exceptionally busy and supporters are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance for the match. The Blues broke the Celtic League attendance record last year at the national stadium when over 15,000 supporters witnessed a thrilling win against Leinster and they look set to break this record on Sunday having already sold over 10,000 tickets for the match. The highest attendance for a Heineken Cup match at the Arms Park was back in 2001 when 13,329 people turned up to watch them take on Saracens so the move to the Millennium will ensure that everyone will get the opportunity to cheer on their team.

Tickets for the middle tier are selling well with both the middle and lower tier being used on the day. Tickets are great value for money priced at £5 for juniors and £10 for adults in the lower tier and £10 for juniors and £20 for adults in the Middle Tier match tickets. Contact the Ticket Office on 029 2030 2030 or buy online.

TOP HEINEKEN CUP ATTENDANCES 2006/2007 ROUND 1:
Leinster v Gloucester, Lansdowne Rd, 22,530, Leicester Tigers v Munster, Welford Rd, 16,815, Ulster Rugby v Toulouse, Ravenhill, 12,772, Bourgoin v Cardiff Blues, Stade Pierre Rajon, 11,000

HEINEKEN CUP ATTENDANCES – 1995 / 2006
Season Pool Q-F P-Offs Q-Finals S-Finals Final Games
1995-96 58,385 17,350 21,800 15
1996-97 194,760 50,263 30,300 41,664 47
1997-98 316,077 27,500 48,681 34,200 36,500 70
1998-99 188,840 34,500 50,000 49,000 55
1999-00 427,921 71,085 43,118 68,441 79
2000-01 522,624 45,800 34,410 44,000 79
2001-02 485,584 45,949 50,249 74,600 79
2002-03 491,882 110,800 74,000 28,600 79
2003-04 590,810 70,000 82,500 73,057 79
2004-05 633,530 162,000 72,883 51,326 79
2005-06 659,804 150,815 79,500 74,534 79
TOTAL 4,570,217 27,500 789,893 568,510 563,522 740

HEINEKEN CUP STAGE BY STAGE – 1995 / 2006
Attendances Games Average
Pool Stages 4,570,217 664 6,883
Quarter/Final Play-Offs 27,500 3 9,167
Quarter-Finals 789,893 40 19,747
Semi-Finals 568,510 22 25,841
Finals 563,522 11 51,229
TOTAL 6,519,642 740 8,810

HEINEKEN CUP ATTENDANCE RECORDS
Season Match Venue Attendance
Pool Match 05/06 Toulouse v London Wasps Le Stadium 34,000
Quarter-Final 04/05 Leinster v Leicester Tigers Lansdowne Road 48,500
05/06 Munster v Perpignan Lansdowne Road 48,500
Semi-Final 03/04 Munster v London Wasps Lansdowne Road 48,500
FINAL 01/02 Leicester Tigers v Munster Millennium Stadium 74,600