**Concert Road Closures and Travel Plans Announced in Cardiff Ahead of Major Summer Gigs**
Cardiff is preparing for an influx of tens of thousands of music fans over the coming weeks, as the Principality Stadium gets set to host a string of high-profile concerts, including performances by Oasis, Stereophonics, Kendrick Lamar, and Catfish and the Bottlemen. City officials have confirmed an extensive series of road closures alongside amended public transport arrangements to accommodate the anticipated crowds and ensure public safety.
The event series, taking place from 4 July through to 1 August, is expected to be among the city’s busiest since events returned post-pandemic. Fans making their way into and out of the city centre will be impacted by significant closures and diversions, and Cardiff Council is urging both gig-goers and regular commuters to plan their journeys well in advance.
For both Oasis concerts on 4 and 5 July, city centre road closures will begin at midday, running through until midnight. On the dates for Stereophonics (11 and 12 July), Kendrick Lamar (19 July), and Catfish and the Bottlemen (1 August), the closures commence from 3pm and will remain in effect until midnight. Gates to the stadium are scheduled to open at 5pm on concert days.
A council spokesperson advised: “The M4 is expected to see heavy traffic due to these events. We recommend motorists consider alternative routes or make use of the park and ride at Vindico Arena, International Drive (CF11 0JS), to reduce congestion in the city centre.” The spokesperson also encouraged attendees to check the Principality Stadium’s bag policy and prohibited items information well in advance, to avoid delays at stadium entry points.
From 7am on concert days, Scott Road and Park Street will be the first to close in order to facilitate crowd management at stadium gate five. The wider city centre shutdown covers key thoroughfares including Kingsway (from North Road to Duke Street), Cowbridge Road East (from Cathedral Road to Westgate Street), and several others. Some smaller streets like Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street will remain accessible to residents and traders via alternative routes.
A comprehensive list of closures means routes such as Duke Street, Castle Street, High Street, St Mary Street and more will be inaccessible for vehicles during the listed hours. Meanwhile, access for buses during the closure periods will be maintained on Station Terrace and Guildford Street to preserve transit flow to Churchill Way. Penarth Road will also be temporarily shut both before and after gigs to manage the high numbers of rail passengers.
Access to the civic centre will be strictly controlled, with entry reserved for those with event parking permits, limited commuters, or those accessing private car parks. Roads affected in this area include King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road, and Gorsedd Gardens Road.
Train operators, including Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway, have confirmed that additional and longer services will run during event days, though ongoing engineering work could affect some routes. GWR has announced six extra trains for the heavily anticipated Oasis concerts, providing up to 4,000 more seats each night. Event-goers are strongly encouraged to check the time of their last return train, with organised queuing systems in place from 10pm at Cardiff Central.
Cardiff’s park and ride will operate from Vindico Arena from 9am, with the first city-bound bus at 11am and the last service returning from the centre at midnight. Parking costs £15, payable in cash. Additional parking is available at the civic centre and Sophia Gardens, each with their own set tariffs and operating hours, but visitors are told that vehicles remain on site at the owner’s risk.
Local bus services will face diversions corresponding with the road closures, and National Express coaches will continue to use Sophia Gardens as their Cardiff stop. Taxi ranks on St Mary Street will also shut during closure periods, reopening at midnight once the streets clear.
With thousands expected to attend each gig, residents and visitors alike are being reminded to keep abreast of announcements and follow all safety and transport guidance to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience in the city. Further updates can be found through official Cardiff Council channels and local news sources.