A bumper crowd is expected at The SSE SWALEC tonight (Friday 22nd July), as Glamorgan host Somerset in a crucial match in their NatWest T20 Blast campaign, where victory will see them secure a coveted quarter-final spot for the second time in three years.
This must-win match comes at the end of a successful few weeks for Glamorgan County Cricket Club who celebrated their first County Championship victory of the season against Derbyshire earlier this week, with Aneurin Donald recording the joint fastest double century in first-class cricket.
As well as success for the team, the Club welcomed its first ever concert-goers with the On the Pitch Festival, featuring performances from Kaiser Chiefs, Dizzee Rascal and Simply Red. Also this month, the Club has successfully hosted its first ever professional Darts event, two NatWest T20 Blast fixtures, an England One-Day International, along with a range of conferencing events. With more than 7,000 supporters expected tonight the venue will surpass the 50,000 mark in attendees enjoying the range of entertainment and events on offer this month.
Glamorgan CCC Chief Executive Hugh Morris said: “This was our first live music event and we’re extremely pleased with the way it went. Not only were we able to welcome people who’d never visited the stadium before, the pitch was restored in a matter of days, ensuring we’re geared up for tonight’s key T20 game.”
With victories for Glamorgan over Sussex and England versus Sri Lanka in the cricket, while Welsh darts star Mark Webster powered to victory in darts tournament, the venue is basking in its commercial success and becoming a fortress for the home side.
Hugh added: “We needed to increase our prominence and really think beyond the cricket audience and we have been extremely successful in doing that. To increase our relevance to as many people within our catchment area we need to broaden the breadth of our offering, so that’s what we did.”
Research has shown that Glamorgan CCC brings in more than £19m into the local economy, with major events such as the Investec Ashes bringing in thousands from outside of Wales. The SSE SWALEC will be a host venue for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy and 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
“The summer isn’t over yet and, as well as our crucial Glamorgan matches, we’re looking forward to welcome Eoin Morgan’s side back to The SSE SWALEC as they take on Pakistan in an ODI in September,” added Hugh.
Tickets for all events are available from Glamorgan’s website here.