We hope you're excited for the opening Royal London ODI of the summer between England and Pakistan at Sophia Gardens tomorrow (8th June). To ensure you make the most of your experience with us, we've put together this handy event guide for the match.
N.B. If you do not have a ticket you will not be allowed into the stadium. All seats for the match have now been allocated and no tickets will be on sale for the fixture on the day.
Our friendly team of staff and stewards have been fully briefed to welcome you back to Sophia Gardens safely. Please be aware that there are health and safety procedures in place to ensure we comply to COVID-19 regulations. These rules are for the benefit of all who attend. We ask that you read through and agree to comply to our spectator code of conduct during your visit.
MATCH TIMINGS:
11:00 - GATES OPEN
13:00 - START OF PLAY
13.00 – 16.30 - FIRST INNINGS
16.30 – 17.00 - INTERVAL
17.00 – 20.30 - SECOND INNINGS
*times may be subject to change
TICKETING/OPERATIONAL QUESTIONS:
WHAT WILL THE SEAT CONFIGURATION BE LIKE FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING?
Social distancing in bowl will be two-metres and every spectator will have an allocated seat they must use throughout the day.
WILL I NEED TO WEAR A MASK?
Masks must be worn when you enter and exit the stadium and in all communal areas including toilets and concourse walkways. It is recommended that masks are worn when supporters are sat in their allocated seats, however it is not mandatory.
WHAT NEW HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE?
The stadium has increased cleaning protocols and has installed plenty of hand sanitisers which will be located around the ground. PPE will be worn by necessary staff members, and socially distanced protocols will be in place. NHS track and trace posters are located by the gates – we encourage you to scan the QR code on your way in, to log your presence at the stadium.
STADIUM ACCESS WILL BE VIA DIGITAL E-TICKET (ALSO AVAILABLE TO PRINT AT HOME)
Using an e-Ticket is proven to be the most secure way for you to enter the stadium in line with current COVID-19 safety guidelines in place. Your e-ticket is a pdf within the email you will have already received from the club. This contains barcodes which must be scanned at the gate from either your phone, or a printed copy. This will also detail the gate number you should use on the day of the match. Your allocated seat will be for the duration of the day. Tickets will be available in advance only; none will be available to purchase on the day.
WHAT TIME WILL THE GATES OPEN/TURNSTILES OPEN?
Gates will open at 11am, ready for you to make your way to your allocated seat safely. Check your e-ticket for your gate reference.
PLEASE NOTE OUR SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT
Anyone entering the playing area will be arrested, removed from the venue, and may face prosecution.
The Club will eject (and take further action against) any person who makes racially abusive or homophobic comments or who acts in a manner that causes danger, nuisance or annoyance to others
Persons who are, or appear to be, intoxicated will be refused further service of alcoholic drinks and may be removed from the venue.
Flags with poles, banners, musical instruments, whistles, klaxons, rattles, fireworks and other articles that may constitute an annoyance to spectators are prohibited inside the Stadium and persons in possession of such items will not be admitted or, if admitted, will be removed.
To view our ground regulations click here.
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
Please note: Under current restrictions in place at the stadium, all indoor buildings will be inaccessible on the day. There will be restricted access to the Pavilion building as a whole to provide a bio-safe environment for all players, umpires and officials for the duration of the fixture.
WHAT ABOUT FOOD AND DRINK?
Bars will open at 11am, as gates open. We have an exciting line-up of food concessions, who promise to deliver excellent quality food and a varied choice to satisfy all your foodie needs, located in the road between our stadium (gates 1&2) and Sport Wales. There will be Street Food Warehouse catering units here, serving a range of hot and cold options, as well as our venue public bars. Due to Covid-19 protocols, these stalls will not be taking cash payments. Only card or contactless payments will be accepted.
Please note that public bars will close 4 overs before the end of the match. Hospitality areas will close half an hour after the match ends.
WILL I NEED TO QUEUE FOR FOOD OR TOILETS?
Yes. Queuing systems with socially distanced signs will be in place for you to follow. Toilet capacities will be set and managed by stewards.
I HAVE A DISABILITY; HOW CAN I BE ACCOMODATED?
We will be happy to discuss your individual requirements. Please email tickets@glamorgancricket.co.uk.
PARKING/GETTING TO THE STADIUM?
Parking - there is no parking in the vicinity of Sophia Gardens other than disabled parking. There are a number of independent car parks located throughout the city.
By foot - the most popular and picturesque means of reaching the Stadium from the city centre is on foot. The final part of the leisurely stroll takes you along the banks of
the famous River Taff and the grounds of Cardiff Castle (walking time approx.20 mins).
By bus - regular bus services run from Westgate Street to and from Cathedral Road (Sophia Gardens nearest bus stop). Use your match ticket for a free journey to the
Stadium. For further information, please visit cardiffbus.com.
By train - Cardiff Central railway station is about 1 mile from Sophia Gardens (walking time approx. 20 mins). Our volunteers will be on hand to provide directions. There are regular high-speed trains that run between Cardiff and all major towns and cities including London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Swansea.
By road - From London: Travel time is approximately 3 hours via the M4 Westbound. From Birmingham: Travel time is approximately 2.5 hours via the M5/M50 Southbound and then the M4 Westbound. If travelling Westbound along the M4, exit at junction 29 and follow the signs to the city centre. If travelling Eastbound along the M4, exit at junction 33 and follow the signs to the city centre.
WE CAN'T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU THROUGH THE GATES OF SOPHIA GARDENS!