Principality Stadium Seating Plan

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Written by Aviran Zazon | Last updated on January 23, 2026

Principality Stadium Seating Plan at a Glance

• Principality Stadium Capacity: 73,931 (Rugby and Football Matches)
• Opened: 1999
• Location: Cardiff
• UEFA Stadium Rating: Category Four

The Principality Stadium (still widely known as the Millennium Stadium) serves up one of the most intense rugby experiences anywhere. Located in the heart of Cardiff, the stadium is Wales’s national rugby venue, also hosting big Wales football matches.

The Principality Stadium seating plan is divided into North, East, South and West Stands, each with its own character. Three stands (East, South and West) feature three seating tiers, while the North Stand has two tiers only, giving it a slightly different feel.

Opened in June 1999 for the Rugby World Cup, the stadium holds 73,931 spectators, all seated.

The stadium’s defining feature is the fully retractable roof, the only one of its kind in the UK. When closed, the stadium becomes a fully enclosed arena, creating an atmosphere that is loud and unmistakably Welsh.

Built on the site of the old Cardiff Arms Park, the Principality Stadium is arranged as a continuous four-sided bowl.

Although the stadium also hosts concerts and major events, including football matches, this Millennium Stadium seating plan guide focuses on Wales rugby tickets, from sightlines to acoustics and crowd energy.

The continuous bowl design means all stands wrap smoothly into one another, but these distinctions help when choosing the best seats.

East Stand Seating at Principality Stadium

The East Stand runs along the touchline and is one of the most reliable choices for first-time visitors to the Principality Stadium.

It offers excellent side-on views across all three tiers, with the middle tier widely regarded as one of the best places in the stadium to watch rugby.

The lower tier provides closeness without excessive flatness, while the upper tier delivers a strong panoramic view of the entire pitch.

The crowd here is mixed, combining regular supporters, families and some hospitality seating. It tends to feel lively but measured, rather than relentlessly loud.

One practical consideration is sunlight: during early afternoon kick-offs, this stand can experience some glare.

Best for: First-time visitors, tactical viewing, consistent sightlines

Less ideal for: Those seeking the loudest home-end atmosphere

South Stand Seating at Principality Stadium

The South Stand is traditionally the most vocal home end at the Millennium Stadium and is known for its raw atmosphere during Wales matches.

Positioned behind the posts, it delivers a dramatic, end-on view of attacking phases and goal-line action. You’ll see plenty of tries, conversions and penalties if you get Six Nations tickets here.

The lower tier places you extremely close to the pitch, while the upper tier offers a commanding overview of the field and crowd, particularly impressive during evening games or when the roof is closed.

“Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau: (Land of My Fathers) has never sounded better than from the South Stand at Principality Stadium.

Best for: Atmosphere, passionate Welsh support, emotional matchday experience

Less ideal for: Fans who want to follow tactical detail across the full pitch

West Stand Seating at Principality Stadium

The West Stand is considered the stadium’s main stand and houses the players’ tunnel, dugouts and a large proportion of hospitality and debenture seating. So be here if you want a more upmarket atmosphere with your Autumn Internationals tickets.

Sightlines are excellent across all tiers, especially around the halfway line. The middle tier contains many premium seats and can feel quieter in places, but comfort and visibility are excellent. The upper tier is steep and elevated, offering one of the best panoramic views in the stadium.

This stand also benefits from easy access to amenities around Millennium Plaza and Westgate Street, and is home to the TV gantry.

Best for: Premium, broadcast views, hospitality, seeing player entrances

Less ideal for: Fans seeking the most animated singing sections

North Stand Seating at Principality Stadium

The North Stand is the only stand in the Principality Stadium seating plan with two tiers, which gives it a distinct feel compared to the rest of the bowl.

The lower tier sits close to the goal line and is excellent for seeing scrums, mauls and close-range defence develop.

The upper tier is large, steeply raked and home to the stadium’s permanent Alcohol-Free Zone, making it a popular choice for families and supporters who prefer a calmer environment. Despite its height, sightlines remain strong due to the steep design.

This stand is also closely associated with traditional Welsh singing, and when the roof is closed, anthem noise carries particularly well here.

Best for: families, alcohol-free seating, traditional atmosphere, end-on views

Less ideal for: fans who want a mid-height, tactical touchline perspective

Where Are the Best Seats at the Principality Stadium?

Choosing the best seats at the Principality Stadium depends on what kind of experience you want, but the stadium’s steep bowl design means there are very few genuinely poor options.

Best seats at Principality Stadium for overall rugby viewing

For most fans, the strongest all-round seats are in the middle tier of the East or West Stand, ideally between the two 22-metre lines.

These seats strike the perfect balance between height and proximity, making it easier to follow kicking strategy, defensive spacing and attacking patterns without feeling detached from the action.

This area is often described by regular attendees as the “sweet spot” of the Principality Stadium seating plan.

Best seats at Principality Stadium for atmosphere

If your priority is crowd noise and emotion rather than tactical clarity, aim for Principality Stadium tickets in the South Stand and parts of the North Stand lower tier, as these give you the most intensity.

These end-on sections are where singing, chanting and momentum feel strongest, particularly during Six Nations matches.

Sitting slightly higher within these stands often improves your view without losing the atmosphere.

Best seats at Principality Stadium if you prefer sitting higher or lower

A common question is whether it’s better to sit high or low at the Principality Stadium. For rugby, slightly higher is usually better.

• Very low seats offer closeness and excitement but can flatten your perspective
• Seats around 10 to 20 rows up generally give the clearest view of the full pitch
• Upper-tier seats are steep enough that even higher rows still feel connected

Best seats at Principality Stadium for first-time visitors

First-time visitors are usually best served by the East Stand or West Stand, mid-tier or upper-tier front rows. These areas minimise visual compromises and provide a clear understanding of how the game unfolds.

Seats to approach with caution

While there are no truly bad seats, a few areas require awareness:

• The very back rows of lower tiers can be partially shadowed by the tier above
• Corner sections in the lowest rows can limit depth perception
• The East Stand can experience sun glare during afternoon kick-offs

Best value seats at Principality Stadium

Checking Ticket-Compare.com, some of the best value tickets are found in:

• Upper-tier touchline seats, front half of the tier
• North Stand upper tier (Alcohol-Free Zone) for families
• Side-stand seats just outside the central blocks

These areas often offer excellent sightlines at a lower price point.

Accessibility at Principality Stadium

The Principality Stadium offers comprehensive accessible facilities:

• Step-free access at all main entrances
• 158 wheelchair bays on Level 3, plus additional bays on Levels 4 and 6
• Companion seating provided throughout
• Accessible toilets on every level
• A full Changing Places facility with hoist and adult changing bench
• A Quiet / Sensory Room on Level 4
• Audio commentary and captioning available on request

Due to the city-centre location, accessible parking is limited, but public transport links are excellent.

Hospitality & VIP Seating at Principality Stadium

Hospitality is a major part of the Principality Stadium seating plan. The venue includes:

Hospitality seats at Principality Stadium are typically located in middle tiers or prime upper-tier positions, combining excellent views with dining, drinks and lounge access. Many lounges overlook the pitch and are fully accessible.

Principality Stadium Seating Plan | Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different seating tiers at the Principality Stadium?

The Principality Stadium seating plan is arranged slightly differently depending on the stand. The East, South and West Stands each have three seating tiers: a lower tier close to the pitch, a middle tier offering elevated touchline views, and an upper tier that provides a panoramic overview of the stadium.

The North Stand is the exception, featuring two tiers only (lower and upper) in the central section, with no middle tier. Note that the block distribution does not reflect this change, with three levels of blocks despite there only being two tiers.

This gives the North Stand a more traditional end-stand feel and helps explain why sightlines and atmosphere there can feel different compared to the rest of the stadium.

Is it better to sit high or low at the Principality Stadium?

For most rugby fans, sitting slightly higher is usually the better option at the Principality Stadium.

The steep rake of the seating means that middle and upper tiers provide a clearer view of the full width and length of the pitch, making it easier to follow kicking strategy, defensive alignment and attacking shape.

Lower-tier seats deliver immediacy and intensity, particularly in the North and South Stands, where you’re close to the goal-line action.

However, very low rows can flatten your perspective and limit your view of play at the far end. Many regular attendees find that seats around 10 to 20 rows up offer the best balance between atmosphere and visibility.

Is all seating covered at the Principality Stadium?

Yes, all seating at the Principality Stadium is covered. The stadium’s retractable roof is typically closed for international rugby matches, creating a fully enclosed environment that protects spectators from the weather and significantly enhances crowd noise.

Even when the roof is open for certain events, the overhang of the upper tiers provides shelter for most seats, meaning rain is rarely a major concern for spectators.

Is the Millennium Stadium seating still the same?

Yes. While the stadium is now officially known as the Principality Stadium, the seating layout remains the same as when it was called the Millennium Stadium.

The same stand names, tier structure and overall bowl design are still in place, so older seating guides or personal recommendations remain broadly accurate.

Where should first-time visitors sit at the Principality Stadium?

First-time visitors are generally best suited to the East or West Stand, ideally in the middle tier or the front section of the upper tier.

These areas offer a balanced, side-on view of the pitch that makes it easy to follow the flow of the game without sacrificing atmosphere.

While the end stands (North and South) deliver incredible noise and emotion, touchline seating is often more forgiving for newcomers who want to understand how the match develops from start to finish.

Written by Aviran Zazon

Co-founder of Ticket-Compare.com, Aviran Zazon is a web developer, marketer and lifelong sports fan, inspired by the magic of Ronaldinho’s Barcelona.