Bars to shut earlier at stadium

PRINCIPALITY Stadium bars will close after half-time and weaker beer will be sold during Wales’ three home Six Nations matches in Cardiff in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour.

The Welsh Rugby Union has announced it will trial new measures during the 2022 men’s championship to help improve the matchday experience following two pitch invader incidents and numerous antisocial behaviour reports during the autumn series.

The new measures, which include pre-match WRU messaging emphasising responsible drinking, position behaviour and consideration of others, will be subject to an ongoing review.

Lower percentage alcohol draught beer will also be phased into bars on concourses, with Heineken bringing in 4.1% ABV Amstel Bier to eventually replace the stronger Heineken (5%) product. As for stewarding, the WRU – which has highlighted it was the first Union to introduce an alcoholfree zone – said the teams will be addressing poor behaviour “with increased vigour”.

WRU chief executive Steve Phillips said: “We want our supporters to remain passionate and enthused and to continue to bring their best voices to the Principality Stadium – throughout the recent pandemic it is our supporters who we, and the Wales team, have missed most – but we also need them to behave responsibly and to encourage those around them to do the same.

“We have taken a series of measures which are designed to change a direction of travel from some quarters which was detected at our Autumn Nations Series matches, but do so without negatively impacting the experience of a hardcore and hugely significant base of supporters who make the Principality Stadium experience what it is.”