FA Cup is coming to Cardiff

State of the art stadium for FA Cup final

The Millennium Stadium has been confirmed as the venue for the FA Cup final for the next three years.

The Football Association has revealed the world's oldest and most prestigious domestic trophy will be played at the venue in Cardiff while Wembley is being rebuilt.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan welcomed the news, saying it put Wales on the soccer map and paved the way for European football to be played here.

The home of Welsh rugby will also play host to the FA Charity Shield matches, the Worthington Cup finals and the Football League play-off finals.

Adam Crozier: Delighted

The decision was confirmed by the FA chief executive Adam Crozier at the stadium on Thursday, after lengthy and complex negotiations.

"We are grateful to the stadium authorities, local council and the police for their help in reaching a successful conclusion," said Mr Crozier.

"As we saw during the Rugby World Cup in 1999, the Millennium Stadium generates a unique atmosphere - the kind of atmosphere we believe is ideal for the FA Cup final and Charity Shield."

"Today is a very happy day for us. We know that Wales will be put on the soccer map," said Mr Morgan.

Rhodri Morgan: Puts Wales on footballing map

"This opens all sorts of doors and it is important the Worthington Cup and FA Cup are successful."

He confirmed that tax payers' money would be used to help with the staging of such events, but the level of National Assembly support will depend on a detailed analysis of the benefits for Wales.

Mr Morgan said he hoped the success of domestic competitions in Cardiff might pave the way for Uefa to stage European cup competitions at the stadium.

"We are still waiting for clarification whether it will be staged here for three years."

"We are simply trying to analyse the all-Wales benefits."

Mr Morgan said there were potential benefits for the tourism industry and inward investment by businesses.

This year's final on 12 May is expected to be watched by a global audience of more than two billion people.

Today is a very happy day for us. We know that Wales will be put on the soccer map

Rhodri Morgan

The England national team will meanwhile continue with their plans to embark on a tour of club grounds around the country until the new Wembley is completed.

The Football Association and Football League hope Wembley will be ready to host matches again from the 2004 FA Cup final onwards, but extra delays in the troubled project could result in future renegotiations with Cardiff.

The £120m stadium in Cardiff was built with the aim of hosting some of the UK's biggest sporting events, including the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations championship.

But the prospect of attracting the FA Cup Final - one of the sporting calendar's top events - had been clouded by concerns over the state of the pitch.

The city's Lord Mayor, Russell Goodway, warned in December that the National Assembly for Wales had not done enough to secure the competition in Cardiff.

FA Cup is a coup for Cardiff

Councillor Goodway had sought assurances that £1.5m would be forthcoming to attract the FA Cup to Cardiff for the next three years, while the new £475m Wembley Stadium is built.

Manchester United have optimistically booked hotel rooms in Cardiff in advance of the Cup final.

The prospect of the event has been welcomed by the city's traders and Wales football manager Mark Hughes, who holds a record four FA Cup winners' medals.

Hughes has also welcomed the Football Association of Wales' joint bid for the European Championships in 2008, along with Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.