It's not just floating fans for the game in Wales though. It's the Logistics.

I understand the reason Wales was selected for this game. They paid the money and they had to have a game.

But it is one of the more difficult locations to get to. Wembley is easier to get to most of the UK.

Given that, it will still probably beat previous openers. The only point of contention is by how much and whether is will be enough for those who want to watch on the box and count crowds.

For me if the games are good and the atmosphere is good then the size of the crowd is a secondary condition.

I did question going to the game myself , but the distance was the significant factor. I've been to the Millenium before and it's a journey to get there and back in one day.

If people can walk up on the day, then it will help add to the crowd, but I still think the majority of people there will have bought in advance.

Im really looking forward to this WC and I am delighted with all the good news stories so far, however having the opener at Cardiff is a big boo boo as I said when it was announced. A full Etihad with 48000 fans crammed in is better than just 40000 at Cardiff.

I understand it could still break records but we shouldn't just settle for a good stat to print in the papers.... The opener needed to sell out to create the feel good factor for RL in this country.

You have to remember though Wales paid for a big game.

If it was not the opener, then we would need it to be the semi or the final???

Which would you pick?

Also did Man city put in a bid or offer any money?


It's not ideal by any means, but when planning this WC, there is no way they could have guessed the take up would be so good, so the money from Wales is a big plus.

I'm still hoping for 50k for the opener, which will be nothing short of great.

I think the Etihad would have been perfect for the opener, and no doubt would have sold out, though I doubt Man City would allow 2 games of RL to be played during the football season.

Cardiff is not difficult to get to !

There's 1 train per hour direct from Manchester on Saturdays and return trains at 8 & 9 pm, and M5 & M4 take you there too from the North, and direct trains from London too.

Of course you can get there, but it's a 4 hour journey one way. That's 8 hrs minimum in the car. By any stretch that is some journey.

The trains to are 4 hours.

It's not what I call an easy journey. You can get to anywhere, but in terms of train or car journey it's not a simple easy journey, depending where you travel from.

I'm fairly certain that Cardiff was picked for the opening games because it's the only ground in the UK that can guarantee that the opening ceremony can take place undisturbed from the risk of inclement October weather. I'm sure the closed roof will add to the occasion .
Imagine the ethiad pitch after an opening ceremony and 2 games of rugby if it was lashing it down .

Wembley has a closing roof. I'm pretty sure Cardiff was chosen for financial reasons.

It's difficult and tiresome to get to.

Even if there were a direct train it's still close to 5 hours each way.

From Leeds the journey is about as good as it gets... just one change at Birmingham New Street.

4hrs, 30mins getting there catching a train at 8am to arrive just before 1pm.

Almost 5 hrs on the way back changing at Manchester Piccadilly and arriving back in Leeds just before midnight.

Then there's the pain of having to put up with all the drunken boors, particularly on the transpennine route from Manchester.

No thanks.

Not over the pitch it doesn't.

The only retractable roofs are at each end - they retract to give the pitch extra light, not to cover the pitch from the elements.

Manchester United are allowing two in 8 weeks - and they are MUCH bigger than City. Did we even ask ?

Lets not forget the ££££££££.

Would Man city have stumped up the cash.

Sure it would look full, but we will get more at Cardiff, even though it looks less full and more £££££'s.

Like I said I understand the reasoning behind Wales, but it does make it tricky to sell out. But Man City would not be anywhere near the same value for money.

Cardiff is the perfect venue for an opener, it's the only venue in which you can plan an event and not have to worry about the weather at all.