Tickets frenzy as fans rush to get spot in new fanzone

THE excitement ahead of tonight’s crunch Euro 2016 Wales v Portugal match has already hit fever pitch – as 20,000 tickets to watch the game live on the big screen in Cardiff were snapped up in an hour.

The fanzone had been at Cooper’s Field for previous Euro 2016 games but, as reported in yesterday’s Echo, it has been moved to the Principality Stadium due to massive demand.

Free tickets to watch the historic semi-final on a 100ft screen at Wales’ premier sporting venue were available from 10am yesterday.

And just 60 minutes later, those logging on to the stadium’s online ticket office were met with the message: “The Portugal V Wales screening event has now SOLD OUT.”

Such was the demand that another 7,500 will be released to fans at 10am this morning.

Coun Peter Bradbury, Cardiff council’s cabinet member for community development, co-operatives and social enterprise, said: “We have been working hard with our partners to get extra capacity for the event and we would involved.

“With an additional 7,500 tickets being made available, this is now the biggest fanzone in Wales.”

He added: “The nation is behind Welsh football and the boys will do us proud.” like to thank everyone

Tickets will be available on the Principality website.

The match in Lyon, which will see Gareth Bale line up against his Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, marks the first time Wales have made it to the semi-final of a major footballing tournament.

While the Principality Stadium holds 74,500, organisers had to limit capacity for the big game because the pitch is being taken up with a speedway track ahead of an event on Saturday.

The man who campaigned for Cardiff to get a fanzone in the first place was one of many struggling for a ticket on Tuesday.

Mark Jones, from Blackwood, had missed out in the general ballot having set up a petition, contacted councillors, AMs and authorities, to try to get a fanzone at the start of Euro 2016.

At the first game, he was even welcomed to the front to greet the crowds.

Mark was one of thousands who