Calls for investment in transport as Principality Stadium confirmed as host

Wales is set to take centre stage in 2028 after UEFA confirmed that Cardiff’s Principality Stadium will host matches – including the opening game – of the Euro 2028 tournament.

The announcement has been welcomed across Welsh football, with senior figures saying the event will deliver a major boost to the economy, raise Wales’ global profile, and give supporters the chance to witness elite tournament football on home soil for the first time.

The Principality Stadium, which can host more than 70,000 spectators, was selected as part of the UK and Ireland joint bid. It will be the first time Wales has staged fixtures at a major men’s international tournament.

Transport concerns raised

Responding to the news, the Welsh Conservatives urged ministers in Cardiff Bay to address long-standing transport capacity issues and reconsider proposals for a tourism levy, arguing that both could affect the fan experience during the tournament.

Gareth Davies MS, the party’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and Sport, said: “This is fantastic news for Wales and will be a huge boost for the economy in Cardiff and beyond. It’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase our culture and our ability to host major international events on the world stage.

“We’ve already proven our credentials with the UEFA Champions League Final in 2017, and on an even bigger stage, I’m confident we can deliver an even better tournament experience.”

He added that Euro 2028 will be “a historic opportunity for Welsh fans to experience a major international tournament on home soil – something that will inspire a new generation of supporters and players alike.”

Davies said the Welsh Government should “rethink their toxic tourism tax to ensure visitors and fans can experience the best of Welsh hospitality.”

Background

The UK and Ireland were confirmed as hosts of Euro 2028 in October 2023 after Turkey withdrew from the bidding process. The tournament is expected to generate hundreds of millions of pounds in economic activity across the host nations through tourism, accommodation, transport, and hospitality spending.

Cardiff previously hosted the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final, the world’s largest annual sporting event, drawing an estimated 300,000 visitors to the city and providing a major test of transport and policing capabilities.

Exact fixtures for Euro 2028 will be confirmed closer to the tournament, but Cardiff’s opening match is expected to attract international attention and bring tens of thousands of overseas supporters to Wales.

Welsh Government ministers have previously said the tournament will be a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to showcase Wales on a global platform.

A CARMARTHEN fighter who once turned his life around after time behind bars is now making waves on the international bareknuckle boxing scene — and says he’s proud to represent West Wales on the toughest stage in the sport.

Luke Steele, from Carmarthen town, has become one of the leading names in Welsh bareknuckle boxing. Last year, he travelled to war-torn Ukraine to compete in Kyiv, where he fought against some of the toughest men in the sport at the height of the conflict.

“I became the first bareknuckle boxer from Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire,” Luke told The Herald. “I’ve fought against the toughest men on the planet — right in the heart of Kyiv.”

Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, earning the title of Featherweight Welsh Bareknuckle Boxing Champion. Now, he’s preparing for the biggest fight of his career — on December 13 — when he competes in the BKFC, a global platform backed by UFC star Conor McGregor.

The 28-year-old fighter says his journey shows that anyone can turn their life around: “I’ve gone from a dangerous prisoner to a professional athlete. I want people to see that it can be done — you can change for the better.”

Luke hopes his success will inspire other young people across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to channel their energy into sport and positive goals.

“My dream is to put South West Wales on the map,” he said. “No one is representing Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire the way I am — and I’m just getting started.”

IT’S not every day you get a WhatsApp message telling you to get a visa — followed by an invitation to compete at the Beijing Rallycross. But that’s exactly what happened to local rally driver Chris Hand, who was contacted by the UCRC Rally Team in China and soon found himself packing his bags for a ten-hour flight to Beijing.

For Chris, a Cilwendeg Rally winner and the current runner-up in the 2025 BRC National Championship, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — and one he grasped with both hands, despite having no prior rallycross experience.

“Rallycross was a completely new discipline for me,” said Chris. “But after a few test runs, we quickly found our rhythm. Working our way through the heats, we lined up fourth for the final. After a hard-fought five-lap race, we managed to bring it home in second place.”

Chris first met William from the UCRC Rally Team during the Grampian Forestry Rally in August, where William took a shine to Chris’s distinctive yellow Toyota Starlet. A few Zoom calls later, an official invitation arrived — and so began an unforgettable adventure.

“It still feels surreal — just an average guy from west Wales competing in such a major international event. It was a truly unbelievable experience. A huge thank you to everyone back home who’s helped keep the wheels turning and made this possible through their support — especially my wife, Letty, whose encouragement means the world.”

Competing in identical cars made for close, fast-paced racing. “There were split seconds between us all,” Chris said. “Without a navigator, it was just pure reaction and focus — and a lot of fun!”

Chris was joined on the trip by Sam Mason, a BRC contender in the Junior Rally 4 category, who sadly suffered a serious accident during the event and was taken to hospital.

Despite the challenges — including a significant language barrier — Chris said the welcome from the UCRC Rally Team was exceptional. “William’s daughter was an incredible help, translating everything and even taking me to see the Great Wall of China and the Bird’s Nest Stadium.”

Reflecting on the experience, Chris added: “I met incredible people on my journey and made lasting friendships. I’d definitely go back again. I’m so grateful to the UCRC Rally Team for making this trip possible.”

Article by Anwen Francis