The much-anticipated heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is expected to deliver a major boost to Cardiff’s hospitality and tourism economy, as thousands of fans prepare to descend on the Welsh capital for the December 11 showdown.
The fight, which will take place at the Principality Stadium, is expected to drive demand for hotels, restaurants, bars, transport services and other businesses across the city.
Hospitality operators are already preparing for a surge in customers, with some businesses planning to significantly increase their supplies ahead of the event.
Nick Newman, Chairman of Cardiff Night Forum, said businesses across the city were preparing for what could be one of Cardiff’s biggest sporting events in years.
“We’re absolutely delighted,” said Newman, who manages nine pubs in the city.
He said businesses were already planning to stock additional beer and food, adding that the event would provide a significant boost to the local economy.
“That’s great for the economy. That’s great for jobs. That’s great for the sort of feel-good factor around the city,” he said.
Businesses have also secured arrangements that could allow participating venues to extend their operating hours. Under agreements with Cardiff Council and South Wales Police licensing authorities, businesses can apply for extended-hours licences allowing them to serve alcohol until 5:30am and close by 6am.
The extended hours are designed to help accommodate fans attending the late-night event and ease pressure on the city after the fight.
For hospitality businesses close to the stadium, the economic opportunity is already clear.
Twm Jones, assistant manager of On the River, a venue opposite the Principality Stadium, said the business was expecting a significant increase in demand.
“We’ll probably be buying in triple the amount of barrels that we usually would,” he said, adding that the venue could accommodate several hundred people on fight night.
The expected influx of visitors is also pushing up hotel demand, with accommodation prices rising as fans secure rooms for the weekend.
David Chapman, Executive Director of UKHospitality Cymru, described the fight as a “big boost” for Cardiff’s hospitality sector, saying demand for hotel accommodation was already “incredibly high”.
Travel businesses are also preparing for increased demand.
Dave Leyshon, who runs DTL Travel in Pontypridd, said his company was selling tickets for the fight ranging from £450 to £12,000.
He urged Transport for Wales to ensure adequate transport capacity, particularly given previous criticism of rail services during major boxing events in Cardiff.
