Principality Stadium to stick with alcohol-free zone

The Principality Stadium will make their alcohol-free zone permanent following a successful two-year trial.

Fans have given their approval after more than 12 games were staged to gauge the level of interest.

The Welsh Rugby Union plans to introduce an “enhanced and upgraded” alcohol-free zone in time for Wales’ clash with the Barbarians in November.

“Our trial has proved that there is a demand out there for this kind of offer and also that the current 4,200-seat provision is meeting that demand,” WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips said.

“The Zone will become a permanent offering from the 2020 Six Nations, and will be in place for the first time in that competition when Wales face Italy in the opening round.

“We also will be further investing in our current offering and infrastructure over the coming months to ensure that it meets the expectations of a Championship audience, this means improved choice in terms of food and non-alcoholic beverages and installing new concourse outlets in order to present a wider range of options for supporters in the zone.

“We know that the AFZ will now be a permanent fixture, but we are not going to stop here – as our customer expectations evolve so will our offering.”

First introduced in November 2018 for the Under Armour Series clash with Australia, the WRU opened its new Alcohol Free Zone at all four matches in the Series, Judgement Day events in both 2018 and 2019 and the four match autumn series in 2019, which included Scotland.

– PA/WRU