Millennium Stadium to Host Cup Semis
Millennium Stadium
By Chris O'Brien
September 15 2004
The Football Association has confirmed that the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will host both F.A Cup semi-finals for the 2004/2005 season. The 74,525 capacity ground will play host to the competition for the final time this season, with the new Wembley nearing completion.
The Football Association has decided to move F.A Cup semi-finals to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium venue for the 2004/2005 season. The move will mean both matches in the last four of the famous competition will be played in South Wales in addition to May's grand final.
"Taking the semi-finals to Cardiff will ensure they are played at a neutral venue and that the maximum number of fans can attend," said an FA spokesman.
"The Millennium Stadium has been a wonderful venue for the final, with a unique atmosphere for teams and fans."
The news is a boost for the Millennium Stadium PLC, with the ground having hosted four FA Cup Finals, four Community Shield matches, four League Cup finals, four sets of Football League play-off finals, four LDV Vans Trophy Finals and one UEFA Cup clash - Total Network Solutions against Manchester City. The completion of Wembley however will see domestic finals move away from South Wales.
In recent years semi-finals have been played at Old Trafford and Villa Park, with the Red Devils having beaten Arsenal in the Midlands on the way to cup glory in both 1999 and 2004. The 74,525 capacity of the Welsh stadium means a bigger crowd can be attracted to the games and mean tickets will be easier to get hold of, but it is a move that has been experimented with before and took stick from supporters as some feel it takes the shine of the final.
F.A Cup holders United will hope they have two visits to the Millennium Stadium in the competition, with the semi-final dates set as April 16th and 17th. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have already visited the ground once this season, losing 3-1 to Arsenal as our North London rivals lifted the Community Shield.