Our plan for Stereophonics in Cardiff

11 Jul 2025

Stereophonics are back on home turf and the excitement is building with ‘Dakota’ echoing through the streets of Cardiff.

Our Events Team has been working closely with key partners behind the scenes, planning every detail to ensure your journey is as smooth as a Kelly Jones’ solo.

From safety measures to queuing systems and late-night trains to accessibility support, we’re making sure your experience isn’t just rock ’n’ roll, but also safe, secure, and stress-free.

So, if you’re ready to "Have a Nice Day," here’s a backstage pass to everything we’re doing to support you getting to and from the Principality Stadium, without a hitch.

All in One Night – Our Plan

Pulling off transport for an event of this scale is no easy feat. Event planning starts months in advance and involves a network of industry partners, including Great Western Railway (GWR), CrossCountry (XC), Network Rail (NR), British Transport Police (BTP), South Wales Police (SWP), Cardiff Council and of course, the Principality Stadium.

As soon as an event date is confirmed, whether it’s a concert or a sporting fixture, our team immediately begins planning, identifying any risks such as planned engineering work and other conflicting events that could impact our ability to provide a seamless customer experience.

If adjustments aren't possible, we work hard to provide alternative transport options and ensure timely and transparent communication, allowing you to plan ahead with confidence.

We even extend signal box opening hours and improve station lighting on event nights — all part of our commitment to keeping you safe, seen, and moving.

Have A Nice Day — We’ve Got Capacity Covered

Getting tens of thousands of fans into the city is no small gig, especially when multiple major events are happening at the same time across the wider network. From day-trippers soaking in the atmosphere to die-hard fans with tickets in hand, managing capacity is one of our biggest challenges.

So, how do we prepare? Thanks to our £800 million investment in new trains across the network, close partnerships and ways of working with GWR, NR, and XC mean we’re well-equipped to boost capacity. Using postcode data and historic event trends, we pinpoint where the biggest crowds are coming from. This empowers us to confidently introduce additional services and strengthen existing ones where they're needed most.

Our plan isn't set in stone; we'll be continuously monitoring real-time data. This allows us to adapt quickly and effectively! We’re aiming to get everyone home safely within a short travel window after the show ends at around 10:30 PM. That means:

Extra late-night trains introduced on all lines of route
Standby buses on site to support with extra capacity if required
Close coordination with local transport providers

I Want To Get Lost With You – Safety and Security Come First

Let’s be clear: while we want you to have an unforgettable night, your safety is our headline act. That’s why we work hand-in-hand with Cardiff Council, BTP, SWP, and our own security and safety teams to ensure everything runs like clockwork. You’ll see high-visibility patrols, CCTV monitoring, and well-trained staff on the ground, all working hard to help you enjoy your concert experience.

Inside stations and around Cardiff Central, we’ve carefully designed zoned crowd management areas. These aren’t just about queuing; they’re about keeping people safe, preventing congestion, and making sure emergency access remains clear.

Handbags and Gladrags – Queue Up

Yes, there will be queues — and yes, they’re all part of the plan! After the gig, we’ll roll out a managed queuing system split into zones across Cardiff Central Station. These help us move large groups safely while preventing overcrowding inside the station. The zones are:

Mainline services will queue from Cardiff Central Square
Valley Line services will queue at the rear of the station
Cheltenham Spa & Ebbw Vale services will queue on the Fish Jetty train station car park

It’s a huge crowd, so please be patient. Our frontline colleagues will be on hand pre and post-event to support passengers as they arrive into Cardiff. They’ll answer queries, manage queues, and help you to the platform where you’ll catch your train home. Please show them respect as they work hard to get everyone home safely and efficiently.

We're also committed to ensuring everyone can travel comfortably. That's why we have dedicated accessibility routes for passengers who require extra help. On event days, we kindly ask passengers needing this assistance to make themselves known to a steward. They will then direct you to the dedicated Accessibility Routes. Passengers using this route can also be accompanied by up to three carers or family members.

I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio – Keeping You Informed

We understand that navigating a busy station during a big event can be a bit overwhelming, which is why we’ve amped up our communication game to always keep you in the loop.

Before you even leave home, we're sending out National Rail Enquiries service alerts and station alerts. These are your early heads-up that services to/from Cardiff Central will be busy. Once you arrive, our Customer Information Screens are constantly updated. They'll tell you about any station area closures and share important messages to help you get around. Plus, you’ll spot clear signs everywhere, pointing you exactly where you need to go.

And for those catching a bus, we've got you covered too. Since the opening of the new Cardiff Bus Interchange, we've fine-tuned our communication about its closure during events. We've even created a special map showing each satellite bus stop. This means if the interchange is closed, you can easily find the right spot for your onward bus journey.

All in One Night – Final Thoughts

We’re ready. Our partners are ready. The city is ready. Now all that’s left is for you to enjoy what promises to be a night to remember.

For the latest updates, don’t forget to:

✅ Check the TfW app and website
✅ Follow us on X and WhatsApp
✅ Listen to station announcements
✅ Be kind to staff and fellow fans
✅ And most importantly… Fly like an eagle, we'll get you home!

Have a nice day at the Stereophonics concerts!