Wales to Face Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium
The Wales rugby men’s team will play against Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium to commence the inaugural Nations Championship in July. This will mark the first occasion the Welsh men's national side hosts an international match at the home ground of Cardiff City football club, with the fixture set for Saturday, 4 July.
Although Fiji is designated as the home team for this match, they will be hosting games outside their own country during the tournament.
"Although our match against Wales won't be played in Fiji, we're determined to make each fixture feel every bit like a home game," said Fiji Rugby Union CEO Koli Sewabu.
"Fans can expect a vibrant, festival-like atmosphere, a true celebration of Fijian rugby culture both on and off the pitch."
Wales will participate in three away matches during the summer campaign, facing Fiji, Argentina, and South Africa in World Rugby's new biennial competition. South Africa has confirmed its game against Wales will take place in Durban on 18 July, while the venue for the Argentina match remains unconfirmed but is anticipated to be in San Juan on 11 July.
Cardiff City Stadium has previously hosted notable rugby events, including Welsh rugby's "Judgement Day" in 2024, a double-header regional derby in the United Rugby Championship (URC). Cardiff Rugby played at the stadium between 2009 and 2012 before returning to Arms Park. Additionally, the European Challenge Cup club final was held there in 2011.
Wales head coach Steve Tandy said: "We're excited for the Nations Championship and the new competition format for our summer and autumn games.
To start with an away fixture for us at Cardiff City stadium against Fiji is going to be incredible. We know they like a fast, free-flowing game and I'm sure it'll be an exciting match for fans."
Opened in 2009, Cardiff City Stadium serves as the home for the Wales football team and has a seating capacity of 33,280, which is significantly smaller than the Principality Stadium's nearly 74,000 capacity.
"We're very pleased to be welcoming Fiji Rugby to Cardiff City Stadium this summer and look forward to what will no doubt be another memorable occasion at the home of Cardiff City Football Club," said Wayne Nash, Cardiff City head of operations.
"Cardiff City Stadium has hosted countless international standard sporting and musical events since we opened our doors in 2009 and I've no doubt we're set for another highlight when the Flying Fijians come to town to play Wales."
Football Association of Wales (FAW) chief executive Noel Mooney has also mentioned the possibility of the Wales football team playing at the Principality Stadium prior to the European Championships in 2028. The stadium is scheduled to host six matches in that tournament, including the opening game.
Why Are Fiji vs Wales Not Being Played at Principality Stadium?
The Fiji fixture is not organised by Wales. Traditionally, Wales plays home matches at the Principality Stadium; however, this game is considered an away match as Fiji is the host.
Similarly, the invitational Barbarians will be the home side when facing Wales at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday, 27 June.
Fiji will stage its Nations Championship home matches at venues outside the Pacific Islands due to logistical travel challenges and to maximize revenue by playing at larger stadiums elsewhere.
Fiji will also face England in the second round of fixtures and conclude the July group stages against Scotland.
The Principality Stadium is maintaining its tradition of hosting various non-rugby events this summer, rendering it unavailable for matches in late June and early July.
Although no official events are listed for July at the Principality Stadium, rock band Metallica is scheduled to perform in Cardiff on Sunday, 28 June, following a concert by Take That earlier in the month.
Wales will host Japan, New Zealand, and Australia at the Principality Stadium in November during the latter half of the Nations Championship.
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What is the Nations Championship?
The Nations Championship is a new biennial 12-team competition featuring the Six Nations teams from the northern hemisphere and South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Fiji, and Japan from the southern hemisphere.
The tournament consists of six rounds of matches across the summer and autumn Test windows, culminating in three double-header fixture days from 27 to 29 November at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham. These matches will determine rankings and crown the champions.
The results from the finals weekend will also contribute to a parallel contest to decide which hemisphere prevails overall.
There is an ambition to host future finals in new locations. Speculation suggests a Middle Eastern host in 2028 and a United States host in 2030, aiming to balance revenue maximization with expanding the sport into new markets.
Wales remain optimistic despite another record loss.
