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| Millennium Stadium open for Wales-France World Cup semi | Millennium Stadium open for Wales-France World Cup semi |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The Millennium Stadium will open its doors on Saturday to allow thousands of supporters the chance to watch Wales' World Cup semi-final on big screens. | The Millennium Stadium will open its doors on Saturday to allow thousands of supporters the chance to watch Wales' World Cup semi-final on big screens. |
| Fans will be able to get in free to watch the match, which kicks off in Auckland at 09:00 BST on Saturday. | Fans will be able to get in free to watch the match, which kicks off in Auckland at 09:00 BST on Saturday. |
| About 25,000 tickets will be on offer from 10:00 BST on Tuesday. | About 25,000 tickets will be on offer from 10:00 BST on Tuesday. |
| The match is being billed as one of the biggest in Welsh rugby history with the team seeking to reach a World Cup final for the first time. | The match is being billed as one of the biggest in Welsh rugby history with the team seeking to reach a World Cup final for the first time. |
| Wales beat Ireland 22-10 on Saturday in a performance which has been lauded by supporters and pundits alike. | Wales beat Ireland 22-10 on Saturday in a performance which has been lauded by supporters and pundits alike. |
| Millennium Stadium bosses hope fans will want to share the experience of watching Wales' second World Cup semi-final. | Millennium Stadium bosses hope fans will want to share the experience of watching Wales' second World Cup semi-final. |
| Manager Gerry Toms said: "With Wales' progress in the World Cup being so good, we sat on Saturday and watched the game and straight after we said we need to do something special now. | Manager Gerry Toms said: "With Wales' progress in the World Cup being so good, we sat on Saturday and watched the game and straight after we said we need to do something special now. |
| "This is a unique occasion in Welsh rugby history. We're through to the semi-final and, the way the boys are playing, there's a very, very good chance we're going to go through to the final. | "This is a unique occasion in Welsh rugby history. We're through to the semi-final and, the way the boys are playing, there's a very, very good chance we're going to go through to the final. |
| "We said 'Let's do something for our fans in Wales and why not open the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, let's put the game on the big screens and all our televisions, and bring an extra big screen in, and invite the spectators along for free.'" | "We said 'Let's do something for our fans in Wales and why not open the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, let's put the game on the big screens and all our televisions, and bring an extra big screen in, and invite the spectators along for free.'" |
| Mr Toms said he hoped about 25,000 would join the free viewing, but "that could change depending on what the take up is during the week". | Mr Toms said he hoped about 25,000 would join the free viewing, but "that could change depending on what the take up is during the week". |
| But he added there would be on one condition: "You've got to wear red!" | But he added there would be on one condition: "You've got to wear red!" |
| Fans will be limited to six tickets per person. | Fans will be limited to six tickets per person. |
| Cruise liner | Cruise liner |
| Meanwhile, supporters who want to watch the game in New Zealand are scrambling for the various match packages that are available. | Meanwhile, supporters who want to watch the game in New Zealand are scrambling for the various match packages that are available. |
| Despite the current financial climate, the chance to see Wales in a World Cup semi-final is proving very tempting, say travel operators. | Despite the current financial climate, the chance to see Wales in a World Cup semi-final is proving very tempting, say travel operators. |
| One company offering flights, match tickets for both semi-finals and three nights accommodation for around £2,500. | One company offering flights, match tickets for both semi-finals and three nights accommodation for around £2,500. |
| Another travel firm is offering three nights in Auckland on board a cruise liner, including tickets for both semi-finals but no flights, for £999. | Another travel firm is offering three nights in Auckland on board a cruise liner, including tickets for both semi-finals but no flights, for £999. |
| At the higher end of the scale, there are luxury packages available for flights, tickets to both semi-finals, third place play-off and the final, and accommodation for the duration for about £8,500. | At the higher end of the scale, there are luxury packages available for flights, tickets to both semi-finals, third place play-off and the final, and accommodation for the duration for about £8,500. |
| Jim Strachan, director of Strachan Sports Travel in the Vale of Glamorgan, said: "It's been absolutely hectic. | Jim Strachan, director of Strachan Sports Travel in the Vale of Glamorgan, said: "It's been absolutely hectic. |
| "I think it's just the fact that the Welsh team are playing so well. We would not be surprised to see them in the final." | "I think it's just the fact that the Welsh team are playing so well. We would not be surprised to see them in the final." |
| He said most people were heading out on Tuesday or Wednesday though, at a push, it was just about possible to make it by leaving on Thursday. | He said most people were heading out on Tuesday or Wednesday though, at a push, it was just about possible to make it by leaving on Thursday. |
| Thomas Cook Sport also said phones had been "very, very busy" on Monday morning. | Thomas Cook Sport also said phones had been "very, very busy" on Monday morning. |
| And a spokesperson for Gullivers Sports Travel said: "Our phone has been pretty much ringing off the hook this [Monday] morning. | And a spokesperson for Gullivers Sports Travel said: "Our phone has been pretty much ringing off the hook this [Monday] morning. |
| "We're having a massive amount of interest from Welsh fans." | "We're having a massive amount of interest from Welsh fans." |
| Are you thinking of flying out to the big game? If not, where are you going to be watching it? | Are you thinking of flying out to the big game? If not, where are you going to be watching it? |
| In Cardiff on an annual RAF re-union, will be at the Mill Stadium if can get in | In Cardiff on an annual RAF re-union, will be at the Mill Stadium if can get in |
| Wayne Driscoll, | Wayne Driscoll, |
| I've already pre-empted this. I booked hotel room in Cardiff for 22nd October last week on the hoping that Wales will get to the final. I was anticipating that the Millenium Stadium would be open for that. Here's hoping we get past France on Saturday. Cymru am Byth | I've already pre-empted this. I booked hotel room in Cardiff for 22nd October last week on the hoping that Wales will get to the final. I was anticipating that the Millenium Stadium would be open for that. Here's hoping we get past France on Saturday. Cymru am Byth |
| Tracey, Poole, England, | Tracey, Poole, England, |
| In the Millennium Stadium if they open!! Would be fantastic to watch it there and I'm sure many fans will want to experience an amazing atmosphere. | In the Millennium Stadium if they open!! Would be fantastic to watch it there and I'm sure many fans will want to experience an amazing atmosphere. |
| MJ, Cardiff | MJ, Cardiff |
| I will be heading to the stadium with a few of my mates for the game, if you want to keep an eye out for us we will all be dressed as sheep! | I will be heading to the stadium with a few of my mates for the game, if you want to keep an eye out for us we will all be dressed as sheep! |
| Gareth Wilmott, Caerphilly, | Gareth Wilmott, Caerphilly, |
| I will most certainly be going and taking my 3yr old daughter along for the experience! CYMRU AM BYTH! | |
| Ben Powell, Penarth |