Millennium Stadium Rocks Cardiff

The Millennium Stadium has signed a new sponsorship deal with the Hard Rock Cafe which will see the global restaurant brand backing the highly popular stadium tours for the next year. Since opening in 1999, the Millennium Stadium has played host to more than six million visitors and the number of customers taking one of the top tours in Wales has grown steadily each year.The link with the Hard Rock Cafe is seen as a fitting one given the multi-purpose usage of the Millennium Stadium. While it is world renowned on the sporting front, it has also developed into one of the greatest music venues around capable of hosting the biggest of names such as The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and The Police.Springsteen is set to play at the stadium in the summer and the Hard Rock Cafe already have strong links with 'The Boss's' management and are involved in the signature series T-Shirt line that Bruce has designed.Music plays a big part in the life of the Millennium Stadium and the major gigs that have been hosted since the Manic Street Preachers rang in the new millennium with their 'Manic Millennium' show on New Year's Eve 1999 have helped to dramatically boost the Welsh economy.Sporting events such as the FA Cup Final, Rugby World Cup, Wales/GB Rally, the Heineken Cup Final and, of course, the Six Nations Championship, help to pour tens of millions of pounds into the coffers of businesses in the Welsh capital and beyond.The Millennium Stadium's role in boosting the Welsh economy was recently highlighted and championed in an independent survey and it was also notedthat it was playing a huge part in developing Cardiff into a major international visitor's destination. And with Wales producing a cache of international recording stars such as The Stereophonics, Feeder and Manic Street Preachers, all who have played at the Millennium Stadium, it's a natural partner for a rock n' roll legend like the Hard Rock Cafe. Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognised brands and there are 124 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes in 46 countries. The company also boasts seven Hotel & Casinos and one stand-alone Casino.Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, much of which is displayed at its various locations around the world. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. WRU Head of Marketing Gwyn Dolphin said, "We're really happy to have made brought such an influential partner on board with the Millennium Stadium. Hard Rock Cafe is a global brand and a great vehicle for us to use to broaden the reputation of the stadium as a major venue."We hope to educate those people who visit Wales about the diversity of the Millennium Stadium and encourage more of them to return to Cardiff for future events."The General Manager of the Cardiff Hard Rock Cafe, Chris Fletcher, believes the link with Millennium Stadium will be beneficial to both parties and help to increase visitor numbers."We're very excited about this new partnership and are looking forward to seeing both venues grow together in 2008," he said. "Hard Rock is delighted to offer a special ticket voucher to everyone who goes on the Millennium Tour to dine at the Hard Rock Cafe Cardiff for £12.95. We feel this will allow all the guests who take the tour the opportunity to experience not only a great venue, but also a complete day out"So after taking a tour of the World Class Millennium Stadium, make sure your last stop is the Hard Rock Café.