Heineken Cup Final Returns To Cardiff

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the Millennium Stadium have won the chance to host the world’s biggest club rugby final, which will return to the Welsh capital for the fifth time. Cardiff hosted the first two Heineken Cup finals, when French clubs Toulouse and Brive won the coveted trophy, and then when Leicester Tigers triumphed in 2002 and Munster finished top of the pile in 2006.

Tickets for the 2008 Heineken Cup final at the Millennium Stadium went on pre-sale today to supporters who have previously purchased tickets early through Ticketmaster for the Cardiff 2006 and London 2007 finals. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday (June 22) at 12 noon through Ticketmaster (UK tel: 08448471530, outside UK tel: 0044 208 6165111 and through www.ticketmaster.co.uk).

Tickets are priced at GBP£20, £35, £45 and £55 with concession prices for juniors at £22, £24, £32.

ERC and the WRU are offering a “early bird cash back” ticket scheme for the Heineken Cup final for rugby clubs across the six participating nations. The initiative will allow clubs earn up to 30% cash back on tickets sold direct to their fans from September through to Christmas.

“We are delighted to be going back to Cardiff for the 2008 Heineken Cup final,” said ERC chairman Jean-Pierre Lux.

“We have already staged four hugely successful finals in the city of Cardiff and it will be exciting for all the clubs in the tournament to be aiming to play at the magnificent home of Welsh rugby.

“Following on from the successful partnership model adopted for the Cardiff 2006 final, ERC will be working in partnership with the WRU, Millennium Stadium, Welsh Assembly Government, and Cardiff Council to create a festival of European Rugby for the weekend of the 2008 final.

“We had a world record crowd for a rugby union club match of 81,076 to see London Wasps beat Leicester Tigers last month with fans from all over Europe joining Wasps and Tigers supporters in creating a wonderful atmosphere. Working with the WRU, we are once again setting a full house at the Millennium Stadium and another memorable occasion as our target for next May.”

WRU chairman David Pickering said: “Anyone lucky enough to be at the 2006 final when Munster finally claimed their ‘Holy Grail’ will remember the unique and special atmosphere of a Heineken Cup final weekend and it is a privilege for the WRU to host the most prestigious club fixture in the world.

“It promises to be another amazing day at the Millennium Stadium and rugby fans of all nationalities will be able to enjoy watching Europe’s two finest clubs in a world class stadium with world class facilities. Given the success of recent Heineken Cup finals we suggest fans buy their tickets early to avoid disappointment.”

The 13th Heineken Cup will kick-off on the weekend of November 9/10/11, with the draw for the pools having taken place earlier today.