Judgement Day is back, bigger and better than ever before with a Millennium Stadium sell-out, on Saturday 30th April, the proclaimed target.
The Guinness PRO12 double-header, which sees Wales’ four Pro teams face off in back-to-back matches at the national stadium in Cardiff, returns for the 2015/2016 season and WRU Chairman Gareth Davies has called for a capacity attendance.
Cardiff Blues take on the Ospreys in the first match of the day, which kicks off at 2.30pm, followed by the Newport Gwent Dragons’ clash with the Scarlets at 5pm.
Ticket prices have been frozen at last year’s rates – and include a one week booking fee holiday - after a record Welsh domestic rugby attendance of over 55,000 descended on the capital in April 2015, paying just £10 per head.
Organisers have also responded to last season’s increased demand by introducing a reserved seating system this time around, making it all the more important for fans to purchase tickets early and book the best available seats.
Match-day will once again see the Millennium Stadium divided like at no other time, as East meets West on the pitch so the fans in the stands will be encouraged to take their seats in the East and West stands according to their allegiance to their team – ensuring that fans can play their part in the unique Judgement Day spectacle.
“The aspiration for Judgement Day has always been to fill the stadium to its rafters,” said Davies.
“The fact that we are in a position where that is a realistic possibility just four years into the concept is a testament to the hard work that the regions and WRU teams have put into building this fixture.
“We achieved a record crowd figure for domestic rugby in Wales last year, but there is no reason to stop there.
“We have set ourselves the target of a sell-out in 2016, it’s a bold statement but one that Welsh Pro Rugby and the Guinness PRO12 is more than equal to. At just £10 per head, fans can see the very best that Welsh rugby has to offer go head to head in regional colours in the grand surrounds of our national stadium.
“This fixture is now set in stone, and with the chance to reserve seats this year - there’s no reason to postpone joining this celebration of Welsh rugby.”
Mark Davies, Chief Executive of Pro Rugby Wales, which represents the four professional teams Ospreys, Scarlets, Newport Gwent Dragons and Cardiff Blues, said:
“Saturday 30th April 2016 is a date every supporter of Welsh rugby should book into the calendar now, as we look ahead with excitement to another huge double derby at the national stadium after such a positive day for Welsh professional rugby as a whole at Judgement Day this year.
“We showed this year what can be achieved when all four pro teams, Pro Rugby Wales and the WRU work together successfully achieving a record crowd that the professional game in Wales was rightly proud of. The hard work for the 2016 event starts now and we’d like to think this big event for Welsh Pro Rugby has a very exciting future.”
BBC Wales Head of Sport Geoff Williams:
“Judgement Day has become one of the highlights of the Guinness PRO12 season on Scrum V Live and Clwb Rygbi. It represents a key milestone in the season because of the jeopardy and extra spice involving tournament semi-final places and European qualification. We’re looking forward to another great afternoon of PRO12 derbies.”
Tickets can be purchased now at £10 per person, with no booking fees in the first week of sale (£1.85 per ticket thereafter) from www.wru.wales/tickets or by calling 0844 847 1881, in person from the WRU Ticket Office on Westgate Street or from the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office, online at www.ospreysrugby.com/buytickets or via the Ticket Hotline on 0844 815 6665.
JUDGEMENT DAY IV
Saturday 30th April 2016
Match 1: Cardiff Blues v Ospreys (BBC Wales) – Kick off 1430hrs
Match 2: N G Dragons v Scarlets (S4C) – Kick off 1700hrs