Wales will close stadium roof in the Six Nations for the next two years
General view of Principality Stadium before the Six Nations rugby union international between Wales and France at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, File)
CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — The loudest stadium in the Six Nations just got louder after Wales was allowed on Tuesday to close the roof of Principality Stadium for the next two years.
The decision for all rugby internationals was made possible following a change of protocol, which was agreed to by the Six Nations. The previous rules needed both teams involved to agree to close the roof in Cardiff.
The move also came after both of Wales’ home games in the upcoming tournament sold out all 74,000 tickets. The Wales-Ireland game on Feb. 22 became a sell-out on Tuesday, after the Wales-England game on March 15 was sold out before Christmas.
“There’s no better atmosphere than a packed-out Principality Stadium roaring Wales along,” Principality Stadium manager Mark Williams said in a statement. “When the roof is shut, the noise is intimidating. It’s fantastic for both the fans and players.”
In the 2015 Six Nations, tests revealed the England-Wales game — with the roof open — averaged 92 decibels, and passed 100 decibels when Wales scored a try.
A lawnmower can be 90 decibels. Health officials say a noise level above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss.
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