Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium to Host British Speedway Grand Prix

The FIM British Speedway Grand Prix is set to return to Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in 2012 after a new five-year deal was agreed with both the stadium and the Welsh Government.

Next year’s event is set to take place on Saturday, August 25 2012.

It will be the twelfth British SGP to be hosted at the Millennium Stadium, with this year’s flagship World Championship event attracting in excess of 43,000 fans – putting it right up there with the biggest on the British motorsport calendar.

BSI Speedway managing director, Paul Bellamy, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been able to extend our contract and commitment to Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium for another five years. As ever, we will look to continue to raising the bar and give fans the most amazing experience.

“This year’s meeting was again a huge success and as a city, Cardiff has totally embraced World Championship speedway. The Fanzone proved even more popular than ever this time around.

“As always, we want to ensure fans are getting value for money. So as well as joining forces with the stadium and Welsh Government, we’ll once again be working with Cardiff & Co to offer fans booking advance tickets the chance to reserve hotel rooms at reasonable rates.

“This new five-year deal is great news for us, the fans and for Cardiff, and we’re very much looking forward to another great year leading up to the next British SGP.”

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to announce a funding package for the BSI Speedway Grand Prix for 2012 – 2016 which will give stability for the event to grow and prosper in Wales.

“The event attracts visitors from outside of Wales to Cardiff and provides a significant economic boost to the city. This year, the event was televised in 140 territories, giving Wales’ profile a major boost.

“This support secures the event at the Millennium Stadium for the next five years as it is an important fixture for the summer season in the city.”

Millennium Stadium Manager, Gerry Toms, said: “We are delighted that the British SGP will be continuing its close and successful association with us for the next five years.

“The event has become a firm attraction on the calendar of major events which take place at the Millennium Stadium and it is always an exciting, entertaining and dramatic occasion when speedway comes to Cardiff.

“All of the world’s best riders take part and the levels of skill and competition on show create a truly amazing spectacle for the fans.

“The feedback we get from people who attend is invariably always extremely positive and the atmosphere and excitement created by speedway extends from the stadium on to the streets of our capital city with a true sense of something big taking place here.

“There is always a sense of growing excitement as we transform the stadium from a rugby venue into a racetrack and the hard work everyone puts in is always worth it because we are always assured of a great show.”