Where to watch rugby in Cardiff

It's that time of year everyone in Wales looks forward to more than any other.  Rugby is back!  And if you can't get to the game itself, you'll surely be planning to watch it somewhere.  But what are the best venues to watch the rugby in Cardiff?

With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of live sports venues in Cardiff that will point you in the right direction.  And there’s a wide range of options to choose from. We’ve included venues that work well for varying group sizes, so any Cardiff stag weekend will be covered too.

What is Welsh Games?

cardiff stag hen
Welsh Games Logo Mobile 2019

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

7 best venues for live sports in Cardiff:

temple bar cardiff rugby

The Temple Bar

The Temple Bar in Cardiff is a quintessential spot for rugby enthusiasts. Its location, a stone's throw from the iconic Principality Stadium, makes it a magnet for fans. The bar's atmosphere during rugby matches is electric, brimming with passionate supporters.

Its large screens ensure a great view of the game from every angle. In addition to the sports, the Temple offers a selection of local brews and some traditional pub classic meals, enhancing the match-day experience. It's not just a bar; it's a rugby-loving community's hub.

elevens bar and grill cardiff

Elevens Bar & Grill

Owned by Brains Brewery and Gareth Bale himself, Elevens Bar & Grill dubs itself as a “premium sports bar and restaurant”, so it’s put a lot of effort into being a solid venue so a great choice when considering where to watch rugby in Cardiff.  It’s laid out with sporting memorabilia inside and has a good number of 4K screens inside to catch the game on.

You can find it at the top of Womanby Street, opposite Cardiff Castle and it serves a good number of traditional ales, along with Bale’s own golden ale. It has a fairly fancy grill-style menu serving burgers, steaks and pizza.

Since opening, Elevens has placed runner up as ‘Best for Sport’ in the Great British Pub Awards 2018, 2019, 2021 and named winner of the Hospitality Social Media Awards 2019.

watch rugby in cardiff

Prince of Wales

The Prince of Wales is the largest Wetherspoons pub in Cardiff and it’s well set up for live sports. It’s got a number of small screens dotted throughout the two-floor venue, but its biggest and best is on the second floor next to the bar.

Once a theatre, this historic building retains its grandeur, which offers a unique viewing experience. With its large screens and ample space, it's a favourite among rugby fans for its energetic and inclusive environment and great value for money.

It’s located on the corner of St Mary’s St and Wood St, close to the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Central Station. As a Wetherspoons pub, it’s a good place to go for a cheap pint and serves basic pub meals if you’re looking for some food with your live sports.

olwain glyndwr cardiff rugby pub

Owain Glyndwr

Watching rugby in Cardiff at the Owain Glyndwr, a vibrant pub in Cardiff, is an immersive experience. The atmosphere buzzes with excitement as fans, clad in team colours, gather around screens, their eyes fixed on the game. Cheers and groans echo in unison, creating a camaraderie unique to sports fans. The scent of traditional Welsh fare blends with the clink of glasses, enhancing the sensory experience. It's a place where passion for rugby and Welsh culture intertwine, offering an unforgettable social and sporting event.

Coyote Ugly

Cardiff has always offered heaps of choice when it comes to great bars, clubs and music venues, but Coyote Ugly definitely brings an extra dose of fun to the capital. If you’re easily offended, this is not the place to spend your evening: quite a few people get soaked, lose a few items of clothing along the way, and behave in a raucous manner. Classy and quiet it is not.

Wild and chaotic it is – and if that’s your idea of fun, it delivers it in bucket loads. Hire yourself one of the 40 booths, tuck into some American barbecue food to thoroughly line your stomach, and then get stuck in to some serious drinking and dancin’!

watch rugby in cardiff

The Queen’s Vaults

This is more of a traditional pub, but it’s located right in the middle of town on Westgate Street, opposite the Principality Stadium. It’s got smaller screens to watch the sports over the bar and a big screen in the main bar area, so you never need to miss too much of the game. It’s also got a fair few pool tables, so you can play your own games as part of a stag weekend, as well as catching the sport.

They serve traditional pub fare with good size portions, and the taps on the bar include household name lagers and beers.

watch rugby in cardiff

Walkabout

This Aussie-themed watering hole is big on fun and low on frills. It has one of the biggest screens in Cardiff and a lot of space, but it can still get busy on big match days. Downstairs is the best location for live sports with its huge screen, although, in all fairness, there are screens in every direction, so you can’t miss the sports, also a great central location where to watch rugby in Cardiff.

Walkabout offers a variety of drinks and pub-style food, enhancing the overall experience. Its central location in Cardiff at the bottom of St Mary's Street also makes it a convenient and popular choice among rugby fans.

city arms cardiff pub

The City Arms

Situated in the shadow of two magnificent stadiums The City Arms is a great pub for watching rugby in Cardiff. Nestled in the heart of the city, this historic pub buzzes with energy during rugby matches, the air is filled with passionate cheers and friendly banter, as supporters enjoy the game on screens amidst traditional decor. Its lively atmosphere and sense of community, makes it a quintessential Welsh rugby experience, blending sport with cultural heritage.

Blackweir Tavern

If you want to kick things off outside the city and still catch the sport at a quieter venue in Cardiff then the Blackweir Tavern could be a contender. It’s located up North Road, just before the University buildings on the way into town from the A48 and has a few decent size screens, without it being a focus for the venue.

It serves basic pub grub and the bar is pretty standard, so don’t expect much in the way of fine dining or craft ales. However, it has a couple of pool tables and doesn’t usually get too busy.

Other related blogs...