Additional capacity and later services have been added for Wales’ Euro 2024 qualifying matches in Cardiff this March.

The Wales men’s team play Finland in their play-off semi-final at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday 21 March before facing either Poland or Estonia on Tuesday 26 March, which may be a play-off final or international friendly depending on the result of the Finland game.

Transport for Wales (TfW) has strengthened its key services on match day, and the following day, by adding more carriages and later services in case of extra time and penalties.

Pre-match

  • 10:40 Holyhead to Cardiff Central and 12:30 Manchester Piccadilly – Cardiff Central will be a minimum of four carriage trains.
  • Additional capacity planned between Cardiff Central and Ninian Park.
  • Additional capacity planned on key routes pre-match, focussing on Ebbw Vale, Maesteg, all Valley services, Marches, Vale of Glamorgan, Barry and services from West Wales.

Post-Match

  • Full reinstatement of Rhymney, Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr services for the evening. Additional capacity added where possible.
  • Additional services to Rhymney, Newport and Penarth.
  • Additional services from Ninian Park to Radyr.
  • A later Cardiff Central – Crewe via Wrexham / Chester service leaving Cardiff Central at 22:47.
  • The key Cardiff Central – Holyhead on the day after the games will leave Cardiff Central at 11:25 as run with a minimum of four carriages.

Full major event plans and standby buses will also be in place for both games.

Llyr Gruffydd MS, Chair of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, said, “Today’s announcement of extra services running to and from Cardiff for the crucial play-off game against Finland is a welcome development. We’re pleased that Transport for Wales have finally listened to the public – and this Committee – who have long called for better matchday transport for football fans.

“Welsh football fans have suffered poor train service on international matchdays for years. We’ve heard countless complaints about supporters packed like sardines on carriages or the last train departing Cardiff for north Wales leaving only minutes after the full-time whistle. The contrast with how an international rugby matchday is treated is stark. 

“The railways are a key part of our national infrastructure and having a reliable service that caters to the public is an essential function. Today’s announcement is a positive development, but this Committee will continue to scrutinise – and push for more improvements – on Transport for Wales’ performance in future.”