CARDIFF | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Britain’s biggest indoor motorsport event roars back into Principality Stadium this weekend. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2024 FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff.

British fans can get behind their double FIM Speedway of Nations world title-winning heroes Robert Lambert, Dan Bewley and wild card Tom Brennan as they bid to raise the roof with an unforgettable home win.

Bewley stormed to a huge victory in the Welsh capital in 2022 and will be hoping to repeat that feat. But world No.6 Lambert heads to Cardiff in red-hot form – could this be the night he achieves his first-ever Speedway GP victory?

The Brits will face huge competition from the likes of four-time Speedway GP world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik, the 2018 Cardiff winner who has never failed to reach the final in six visits to South Wales. 

Former Principality Stadium winners Martin Vaculik, Leon Madsen and Maciej Janowski will also be bidding to top the podium again, while British league stars Fredrik Lindgren, Jack Holder, Jan Kvech and Max Fricke are also among the stars going for glory.

As fans get ready to make the trip to Cardiff, here’s all the important information you need regarding tickets, timings, Qualifying Practice, the fanzone and travel …

TICKETS

Still need a ticket for the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff? Don’t panic!

Tickets, priced from £20, are available online via Ticketmaster right up until racing starts at 5pm on Saturday evening. To make sure you secure the best available seats, book online HERE now.

Tickets can either downloaded via the Ticketmaster app or printed at home.

If you prefer to purchase your tickets on the day at the stadium, tickets will also be available from the first floor of the WRU Shop next to gate three from 9.30am until 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday.

ENTERING THE STADIUM & OPENING CEREMONY

The Principality Stadium gates open at 3.30pm, with racing starting at 5pm, and fans are advised to arrive early to ensure a smooth entry to the venue.

DJ Karl West cranks up the volume at Principality Stadium, before our spectacular opening ceremony starts at 4.40pm as the 2024 FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff stars enter world speedway’s biggest arena.

Fans should avoid bringing bags if at all possible as all bags will be searched on entry and your waiting time to enter the stadium will be longer than you will be used to at other speedway events.

No bags larger than (35cm X 40cm X 19cm) or a standard handbag will be allowed into the venue. There are no bag storage facilities at the stadium, so pleased plan ahead if you are bringing larger bags to Cardiff and leave these in your vehicle, accommodation or at home.

Prohibited items include large umbrellas, professional cameras, audio or video recorders, lasers or flashlights, selfie sticks, pyrotechnics, knives, tasers, mace, glass and ambush marketing materials. For the full list, please find the ground regulations here. 

FAST FRIDAY – CARDIFF’S FIRST SPRINT RACE

FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff ticketholders can get their 2024 event started in style and witness the first-ever Principality Stadium sprint race on Friday at 3pm UK time.

Qualifying Practice will be open to the public, with riders taking to the track in four groups of four, competing across two blocks of two minutes to set the fastest lap time.

The fastest rider from each group will line up in the sprint race where there will be four Speedway GP World Championship points up for grabs for the winner, with three for second, two for third and one for fourth place. These points could make a huge difference as riders battle it out for the world title, medals and places in the 2025 Speedway GP series.

The sprint race winner will also get first choice of starting positions for Saturday’s Speedway GP event – potentially offering them a big advantage as the world’s best riders battle it out on 500cc bikes with no brakes under the iconic Principality Stadium roof.

Seats are limited with up to 3,000 places available on a first come, first served basis. Gates open at 2pm. To gain admission, simply present a valid ticket for the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff and purchase a copy of this year’s event programme, which will be available near the turnstiles. Up to two fans will be admitted with each programme purchased.

Children are not required to buy a programme to attend the session but must have a valid ticket for Saturday’s Speedway GP and be accompanied by a paying adult, who is in possession of a valid ticket and programme.

FANZONE

A packed programme of entertainment comes to the Welsh capital as the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff fanzone takes over City Hall Lawn on Saturday from 10am.

Get your Cardiff experience started in the fanzone – around a 15-minute walk from Principality Stadium (see map HERE).

This year’s fanzone features a host of opportunities to meet your favourite SGP riders, plus an always-epic Monster Energy Rig Riot and Burnout, trials action, live DJs, Q&As with speedway celebrities and seven-time British champion Scott Nicholls signing copies of his brand-new autobiography.

MEET YOUR SPEEDWAY GP HEROES

The official Speedway GP autograph session, featuring all 18 riders, takes place at 1.45pm – get there in plenty of time to avoid missing out on a great chance to meet your Speedway GP heroes for a signature or selfie.

Monster Energy will then shake the city with a special Cardiff burnout at 2.15pm, before the Monster Energy Rig Riot at 2.30pm. Grab some exclusive freebies from Monster Energy athletes Fredrik Lindgren, Jack Holder, Dan Bewley and Tai Woffinden.

Enjoy Monster Energy trials action throughout the day, with the first show at 10.30am and more high-octane stunts at 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm.

There will be a special Q&A with our VIP guests from 12.15pm on the main fanzone stage and, from 1pm, former Speedway GP star Scott Nicholls will be signing copies of Sliding Through Life, his new autobiography, which is available to order online HERE now. 

There will be music from resident Speedway GP DJ Karlito and Calvin Hernandez from 11.15am and 1.45pm. Meet FIM Speedway mascot Speedy at 10.15am and 2.45pm.

The Monster Energy Rig will be on hand throughout the day and fans can pose for a photo with the Speedway GP trophy.

There will be a vintage speedway bikes exhibition, other photo opportunities, the We Love Speedway sign, food and drink stalls, the Speedway GP merchandise shop and much, much more.

The fanzone closes at 3.15pm, giving fans plenty of time to head over to Principality Stadium.

FULL FANZONE SCHEDULE

10:00: FANZONE OPENS

Head down to the FIM Speedway Fanzone in Cardiff, featuring the Monster Energy Rig, food and drink stalls, the Speedway GP merchandise shop, Speedway GP main trophy and vintage speedway bikes exhibition, photo opportunities and much, much more.

10:15: MEET SPEEDY

Get a photo with official FIM Speedway mascot Speedy.

10:30: MONSTER ENERGY TRIAL SHOW

Head over to the Monster Energy Trial area and catch the first two-wheeled action of the day.

10:45: SGP 2023 RECAPS

Relive the best moments of the 2023 FIM Speedway GP rounds on the big screen.

11:15: LIVE MUSIC WITH DJ KARLITO & CALVIN HERNANDEZ

Get your Cardiff party started in the Speedway GP Fanzone!

12:00: MONSTER ENERGY TRIAL SHOW

Catch show two of the day in the Monster Energy Trial area.

12:15: Q&A SESSION WITH VIP GUESTS

Head over to the main fanzone stage and see who we've invited! Come and ask your questions to our guests.

13:00: SCOTT NICHOLLS BOOK SIGNING

Meet seven-time British champion Scott Nicholls as he signs copies of his new book, Sliding Through Life.

13:30: MONSTER ENERGY TRIAL SHOW

Monster Energy’s finest trial stars are back in action.

13:45: SPEEDWAY GP AUTOGRAPH SESSION

Meet all of your Speedway GP favourites! Grab your selfies and signatures at the autograph session on the main stage, featuring all 18 FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff riders.

13:45: LIVE MUSIC WITH DJ KARLITO & CALVIN HERNANDEZ

More live music from our resident Speedway GP DJ Karlito and Calvin Hernandez.

14:15: MONSTER ENERGY BURNOUT

Get loud for Monster Energy’s Cardiff Burnout 2024 – but who will be burning the rubber?

14:30: MONSTER ENERGY RIG RIOT

Meet your favourite Monster Energy athletes and pick up some goodies from them at the Monster Energy Rig Riot.

14:45: SGP MASCOT IN VINTAGE BIKES AREA

Get a photo with official FIM Speedway mascot Speedy in the vintage bikes area.

15:00: MONSTER ENERGY TRIAL SHOW

Head over to the Monster Energy Trial area for our final show before making the move over to Principality Stadium.

15:15: FANZONE CLOSES

Take your seats in Principality Stadium - it's time to go racing!

TRAVEL INFORMATION

PARK AND RIDE

The M4 motorway is expected to be busy due to this event – so please plan ahead and avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park and ride (see map HERE) at the former Toy’s R Us site car park in the Sports Village – Postcode: CF11 0JS.

The drop-off point in the city centre is Callaghan Square. The park and ride site will open at 8.30am, with the first bus leaving at 9am. The last bus from the city centre will be at 9.30pm with the site closing soon after.

The cost is £15. Cash only.

CITY CENTRE PARKING

Civic Centre Event Day Parking (Cars and Coaches)

Getting there: Exit Junction 32 of the M4, head south on the A470 towards the city centre and follow signage to the civic centre.

Cost: £20 payable on the day for cars and £30 for coaches – card payments are also now available.

Parking time: The car park will open at 8am and closes at midnight. 

Event Day Parking at Sophia Gardens (cars only)

Located approximately half a mile from Principality Stadium, exit the M4 at junction 32.

Cost: £20 for cars and £30 for coaches – card payments are now available.

Parking time: Car park opens at 8.00am and closes at midnight.

Please note: Sophia Gardens car park will be staffed until 7.00pm. All vehicles are left on site at the owner's risk. Cardiff Council will not be held responsible for any theft or damage to motor vehicles or personal possessions. Any vehicles left in the car park after closing time will be fined.

Disabled parking

Disabled drivers are advised to use Sophia Gardens. Disabled parking is also available at various private car parks.

Please check individual websites for availability.

TRAINS

We are delighted to confirm that there is no industrial action on train services in and out of Cardiff for this year’s event.

Transport for Wales will be providing additional capacity where possible on routes in/out of Cardiff on Saturday, but trains are expected to be busier than usual, so please allow plenty of time for your journey.

Queuing systems will be in place at Cardiff Central for ticket checks before and after the event.

Visit www.tfw.wales or the new TfW app for the latest travel information.

Great Western Railway (GWR) will run additional services to help customers get home after the speedway. Trains will operate from Cardiff Central to Swansea, Newport, Bristol and Swindon; with plenty of parking available at station car parks.

Trains are, however, expected to be very busy immediately after the speedway and a queueing system will be in place outside the station to help people board trains safely.

Those travelling from further afield should check connecting services, and the time of their last train home, at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

ROAD CLOSURES

With there will be a partial city-centre road closure around the stadium on Saturday between 2.30pm and 9.30pm. Westgate Street will be closed in its entirety during this time.

Castle Street, Cowbridge Road West, Duke Street and Kingsway will remain open to traffic.

There will be closures on the following roads in the city centre:

·        Quay Street, Guildhall Place and Golate

·        Wood Street from Fitzhammon Embankment through to St Marys Street junction of Mill Lane

·        Tudor Street from the junction with Clare Road, Despenser Gardens, Scott Road, Havelock Street and Park Street.

·        Saunders Road from the junction with St Mary Street.

Civic Centre: Access to part of the Civic Centre will be controlled throughout the day, with access allowed only for event parking, limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks.

Roads affected include King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road.

BUS SERVICES

Local buses:

Bus services will be diverted while the city centre road closures are in place. Please visit the relevant bus operator's website for more information about your specific bus routes.

For Stagecoach services, please visit: Welcome to Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com)

For Cardiff Bus services, please visit: https://www.cardiffbus.com/principality-stadium

For NAT services, please visit: https://www.natgroup.co.uk/

National Express:
 
National Express coaches will use Sophia Gardens as usual. 

TAXIS

St Mary Street taxi rank (outside the House of Fraser building) will close at 2.30pm and will re-open at 9.30pm.

Thanks for reading and we look forward to welcoming you to the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff this Saturday!