Once in a Millennium (Millennium Stadium (Cardiff))

Member Name: LisaW82

Product:	Millennium Stadium (Cardiff)
Date:	26/04/09 (111 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great atmosphere and setting

Disadvantages: Wembley

I have actually been to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 2 separate occasions and for 2 very different events. The first was a concert by the Stereophonics and the second was a Johnstones Paint Trophy final with my beloved Doncaster Rovers. The stadium was a perfect host for both of these and, as good as Wembley is, it was a sad day for me when this fine stadium was no longer required for the big showcase football matches.

Aside from the fact that the ground holds so many people and creates such a wonderful atmosphere, it also sits in one of the more beautiful locations for a football ground in the UK, right on the riverside. It is stunning to see and take a walk around whilst sampling the big match build up. One of the strangest things is that, as big as the ground is, you can be just a couple of streets away and not see it until you are right there. It seems to appear from nowhere. There are lots of good pubs dotted around the ground too for building up the atmosphere in.

Once inside the ground the hairs start to stand up on the back of the neck. It is not just that the bowl is so high, it is also the sight of that magnificent retracting roof above your head. It is one in a million.

The seats are laid out with plenty of leg room in mind and the stadium actually goes high more vertically than some do meaning that you don't have to worry about a narrow rise and getting stuck behind a 6ft+ man at these events.

The concourses are the standard kind of thing and the food stands are by no means the dearest on the market. Toilets are well placed around and the walk ways are wide enough to be comfortable in. It is surprising how many new grounds have concourses that are just too narrow.

The acoustics for both the crowd chanting at football and the concert were magnificent and possibly have never been matched since, even Wembley. I think the height and roof clearly help with this and keep the noise in.

I'll miss this great stadium for the big football matches, but will hopefully return one day for more music.

Summary: The second best stadium in the UK