Following a stunning Guinness Six Nations campaign, Wayne Pivac’s championship winners are set to take on current world champions South Africa, fellow southern hemisphere heavyweights New Zealand and Australia and flamboyant Fiji in this year’s Autumn Nations Series at Principality Stadium.
The mighty All Blacks, making their first visit to Cardiff since 2017, kick off the series on Saturday 30th October and will offer Pivac’s squad a stern test as Wales seek a first win in the fixture since 1953.
Fijian flair has dazzled Welsh fans in the past with their exciting brand of rugby and the Pacific Islanders are next up on Sunday 14th November.Finally, victory against the Wallabies the following Saturday, on the climactic weekend of the series, would ensure a hat-trick of consecutive wins for Wales for just the second time in history since the two teams first met in 1908.
Wayne Pivac, Wales head coach said, “There is no doubt this is a huge autumn series fixture list and we are already looking forward to it, especially with the prospect of having supporters back at Principality Stadium.”“It would be close to 21 months since we have had the chance to play in front of our fans at our home stadium, so it is hugely exciting to have the fixtures announced and I hope it excites the rugby public. It will be a big campaign against quality opposition, but we see it as another opportunity to test ourselves while we continue on our journey to France 2023.”
The WRU has a robust refund strategy in place to enable ticket purchasers to buy with confidence, and will guarantee refunds to the original credit card at point of purchase within 30 days, should the circumstance around Covid-19 change and reduced capacity or no crowds are put in place.
Whilst the future remains uncertain there is a confidence that Autumn Nations Series 2021 will see the return of supporters to Principality Stadium and having hosted two international matches already this year, the stadium is operating under Covid-19 guidelines and is preparing for the safe return of fans.
Steve Phillips, WRU Group CEO said: “There’s a great appetite for rugby right now. Over two thirds of the population tuned in to watch Wales play each of their Six Nations games in February. Tournaments like the Guinness Six Nations Championship and the Autumn Nations Series galvanise the nation, generate hope and pride and give the people of Wales something to look forward to in difficult times.
“It is our aim and ambition to deliver the Autumn Nations Series 2021 with full crowds. We are working alongside Welsh Government and Public Health Wales to ensure this is done correctly and safely and in order for us to move forward and deliver events of this scale we must plan ahead, be flexible and prepared for change. Getting the Autumn Nations Series on sale early is an essential step in this process.”
In addition, the data collected by the new system enables effective track and trace as part of the Government’s on going fight against Covid-19.
Prices on tickets for the Autumn Nations Series 2021 have been frozen which means supporters can watch New Zealand for the same prices (or less due to an increase in available concessions*) paid in 2017 (£95 / £85 / £75 / £60 / £40). Prices for South Africa and Australia, who last played in Cardiff in 2018, start from £25 and for Fiji, tickets start at £10 in line with Tonga who last played at Principality Stadium in 2018.
*For the first time the WRU has introduced a 50% U17 concession for Autumn Nations Series 2021 across all ticket categories, which was previously restricted to just Categories B & C for tier one matches, which means young fans and families can enjoy the game together from anywhere in the stadium – including the Alcohol Free Zone (AFZ) which will be in operation.
Steve Phillips, WRU Group CEO added, “The Autumn Nations Series has always been a family event and we’re delighted to introduce U17 concessions ticket across the board for all Autumn Nations Series matches, which now means a concession ticket can be purchased alongside an adult ticket within any ticket category in the stadium.”
TICKET INFORMATION
Wales v New Zealand, Principality Stadium – Saturday 30th October (Kick Off: tbc) CAT A £95 (£47.50) / CAT B £85 (£42.50) / CAT C £75 (£37.50) / CAT D £60 (£30) / CAT E £40 (£20)
Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium – Saturday 6th November (Kick off: tbc) CAT A £75 (£37.50) / CAT B £65 (£32.50) / CAT C £45 (£22.50) / CAT D £35 (£17.50) / CAT E £25 (£12.50)
Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium – Sunday 14th November (Kick off tbc) CAT A £35 (£17.50) / CAT B £25 (£12.50) / CAT C £20 (£10) / CAT D £15 (£7.50) / CAT E £10 (£5)
Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium – Saturday 20th November (Kick off tbc) CAT A £75 (£37.50) / CAT B £65 (£32.50) / CAT C £45 (£22.50) / CAT D £35 (£17.50) / CAT E £25 (£12.50)
