Cardiff Benefit from Cup Games

The Millennium Stadium's hosting of the FA Cup final and other key football matches in Cardiff has brought over £100m to the local economy since the closure of Wembley in 2001.

Yesterday saw the last Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium as the prestigious tournament finale returns to officially open the new Wembley stadium on May 13 next year..

Experts from Cardiff marketing firm believe that each final brought £15m to the city.

With the stadium losing many games once Wembley reopens the local council and stadium bosses are looking to reduce potential lost revenue, however, they could struggle to recapture £15m.

Since the closure of Wembley, the Mill Stad has annually hosted the FA Cup final, the Community Shield, the Carling Cup final and three play-off finals as part of its deal with the FA, which is due to run out this year.

Talks were underway recently to use the Millennium Stadium as a plan B in case Wembley was not ready in time, however, those rumours have been dispelled already.

Cardiff also hosted the FA Cup semi-finals for this year's competition, which marketing firm Cardiff Initiative said brought in £7m over that weekend.

As well as the financial benefits from holding the games for the stadium owners the WRU and local economic gains, Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium have benefited from worldwide exposure through television screening of high profile games, with the FA Cup final alone having an estimated global audience of 600 million.

While UEFA has snubbed the Millennium Stadium's dream of hosting the Champions League final due to failing to meet the stringent standards set to host the competition finale, it is expected that stadium bosses will look to bid to host the 2007 or 2008 UEFA Cup Final.

The Millennium Stadium will host the Heineken Cup final in 2006 - the biggest domestic game rugby union game in Europe, with £30m expected from the game for the local area.

In addition to that the stadium has already secured huge concerts with U2 and REM confirmed names for this summer alone.

Following the success of the Wales rugby union side in the Six Nations this year, as they won the Grand Slam for the first time in 28 years, sell outs will be expected at every intenational rugby match for the forseeable future.

There are four internationals in the autumn and the three Six Nations rugby internationals in the springtime.