A series of road closures will be put in place for the Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship 2026 matches at Principality Stadium.
During these matches, roads around the Principality Stadium will close on health and safety grounds.
Saturday February 21st – Wales vs Scotland, with the kick off taking place at 4.40pm, roads will close between 12.30pm and 9pm.
Saturday March 14th – Wales vs Italy, with the kick off taking place at 4.40pm, roads will close between 12.30pm and 9pm.
The M4 motorway is expected to be very busy due to these rugby matches – so please plan ahead – and avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park & ride at the car park by the Vindico Arena on International Drive in the Sports Village – CF11 0JS.
For up to date traffic information on the motorway and trunk roads go to the HERE, or @TrafficWalesS on Twitter and Facebook.
Those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to plan their journey and get in early. Please pay attention to the prohibited items listed at HERE, in particular the bag policy (no large bags permitted) before travelling into the city.
Road closures
From 7am, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed because of the need to prepare Gate 5 and protect queuing fans.
The following roads will be closed as part of the full city centre road closure for each event:
- Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street.
- Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street.
- Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted via Fitzhammon Embankment).
- Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted).
- The following roads will be closed in their entirety: Duke Street, Castle St, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road.
- Station Terrace and Guildford Street from the junction with Newport Road to the junction with Churchill Way will be access for buses only during the times of the road closures. This is to ensure that there is reliable access for buses to the satellite points in Churchill Way.
Additionally, Penarth Road will be closed 30 minutes before the game finishes and up to hour after the final whistle on safety grounds for train passengers arriving and departing from the train station.
Additions:
Civic Centre: Access to part of the Civic Centre will be controlled throughout the day, with access allowed only for event parking, limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks.
Roads affected include King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road.
TRAINS
Great Western Railway (GWR) will run additional trains to and from Cardiff Central for the Autumn Internationals. Extra services will operate between Cardiff and Swansea, Newport, Bristol, and London, with ample parking available at station car parks.
- Pre-match trains will be reservation only – book your seat in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Post-match trains are expected to be very busy. A queuing system will be in place outside Cardiff Central to ensure safe boarding.
- If you’re travelling from further afield, check connecting services at HERE.
Transport for Wales (TfW) will provide additional capacity where possible on routes to and from Cardiff for the home Six Nations fixtures. All travelling fans are encouraged to plan ahead and allow plenty of time for their journey.
A full queuing system will be in place for the first two fixtures (Wales v France / Scotland).
Queues for mainline rail services will operate on Central Square, while queues for Valleys services will be located to the rear of the station. Customers are advised to plan ahead and ensure they join the correct queue.
Details for the third fixture (Wales v Italy, March 14th) will be available soon as TfW work though the plans.
Cardiff Queen Street station will be closed for the first two fixtures, with access available only for passengers requiring accessible travel and those travelling to Cardiff Bay. Cardiff Bus Interchange will also be closed in line with local road closures.
Car park closures will be in place at Cardiff Central station for each fixture with more information available HERE.
Pre and post-event revenue checks will take place at Cardiff Central, passengers should purchase their rail ticket before entering a queuing system.
A reminder that pay as you go is currently available on TfW and Cross-Country services across the South Wales Metro network (Not available on Great Western Railway [GWR] services).
Passengers using pay as you go payment method should tap in at their departure station and then tap out using same payment method via the dedicated pay as you go revenue lanes when exiting at Cardiff Central. Transport for Wales volunteers will be available to assist with tapping in and out.
Park & Ride facilities
The event park & ride facilities will be using the car park by Vindico Arena on International Drive in the Sports Village, Cardiff Bay – CF11 0JS.
The drop of point in the city centre is Tresillian Way
Wales v France Feb 15th
Car park opens at 9.30am and first bus is at 10am and last bus from City Centre is at 6pm.
Wales V Scotland Feb 21st
Car park opens at 9.30am and first bus is at 10am and last bus from City Centre is at 7.30pm
Wales V Italy March 14th
Car park opens at 9.30am and first bus is at 10am and last bus from City Centre is at 7.30pm.
The cost is £15, cash only.
Civic Centre Event Day Parking (Cars and Coaches)
Getting there: Exit Junction 32 of the M4, head south on the A470 towards the city centre and follow signage to the civic centre.
Cost: £20 payable on the day for cars and £30 for coaches – card payments are also now available.
Parking time: The car park will open at 8am and closes at 12 Midnight.
Event Day Parking at Sophia Gardens
Getting there: Exit junction 32 off the M4
Cost: £20 for cars and £30 for coaches – card payments are now available.
Parking time: Car park opens at 8.00am and closes at 12 midnight.
Please note: Sophia Gardens car park will be staffed until 7.00pm all vehicles are left on site at the owner’s risk. Cardiff Council will not be held responsible for any theft or damage to motor vehicles or personal possessions. Any vehicles left in the car park after closing time will be fined.
Bus
Local buses:
Bus services will be diverted while the city centre road closures are in place
Please visit the relevant bus operator’s website for more information about your specific bus routes.
For Stagecoach services, please visit: HERE
For Cardiff Bus services, please visit: HERE
For NAT services, please visit: HERE
National Express:
National Express coaches will use Sophia Gardens as usual.
Can you cycle or walk?
The cycleways and the pop-up cycleways within the road closure area will remain open for cyclists to use during the event, but due to the number of people expected to attend the rugby match, we ask all cyclists to take due care and attention.
The road closures apply to all motor vehicles of any kind, but not to bicycles with pedals.
Those who live locally in Cardiff may want to travel by bicycle or walk. Research shows us that 52% of car trips made in the Welsh capital are less than 5km. This is a distance that can be comfortably cycled in 20 minutes.
We also know that 28% of Cardiff residents who currently do not cycle would like to do so.
When the roads are congested this makes cycling an even more attractive option as travel by bicycle would be quicker than a car during rush hours or during big events.
Shopping Parking
City centre car parks are also available: North Road Car Parks, St David’s Shopping Centre, John Lewis, Capitol Shopping Centre, and NCP (Adam Street, Dumfries Place and Greyfriars Road).
Disabled parking
Disabled drivers are advised to use Sophia Gardens. Disabled parking is also available at various private car parks.
Please check individual websites for availability.
Taxis
St Mary Street taxi rank will close in line with the road closures for each match.
