About the Stadium
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Stadiwm Eirias is a 6,080-capacity sports and events stadium within Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay — one of the largest sports venues in North Wales. The ground originally opened in June 1955 and was renovated in 1987, then substantially redeveloped in 2011 as a £6.5 million project under the Bay Life regeneration programme, giving Colwyn Bay a facility capable of hosting professional rugby, major events and televised competition.
Unusually for a ground this size, it hosts two senior tenants: RGC 1404, playing rugby union, and North Wales Crusaders, playing rugby league. The stadium sits within the broader Eirias Park complex, so events are supplemented by open grassland outside for larger outdoor concerts and community activities that exceed seated capacity — up to around 15,000 for major shows.
RGC 1404 & North Wales Crusaders
RGC 1404 (Rygbi Gogledd Cymru, founded 2008) have played at Stadiwm Eirias since 2009 and compete in the Super Rygbi Cymru, the Welsh Rugby Union's top domestic men's league below the professional regions. The club draws its playing squad from across North Wales and represents the region at semi-professional level, with home matches a well-established fixture in the local sporting calendar from autumn through spring.
North Wales Crusaders play rugby league in the RFL Championship, English rugby league's second tier, and moved to Stadiwm Eirias as their home ground in 2021/22, with the arrangement confirmed to continue through the 2026 season. It's a genuinely unusual pairing — rugby union and rugby league sharing the same North Wales ground — and means there's a realistic chance of catching a senior fixture in one code or the other across most of the year.
A match day at Stadiwm Eirias is a good-value way to experience Welsh sporting culture — the atmosphere is genuinely local, the crowd is a mix of dedicated supporters and families, and ticket prices are considerably lower than regional Welsh rugby or Super League. Fixtures are published on each club's own website and social media channels, which are the quickest way to confirm match days and kick-off times, as these can change at short notice.
Major Events
Beyond rugby, the stadium and the adjacent Eirias Park have hosted major outdoor concerts with headline artists — including Elton John, Tom Jones, Jessie J, Lionel Richie and Bryan Adams — plus food and drink festivals and community events that use both the stadium and the open parkland. These represent some of the largest entertainment occasions in North Wales and draw audiences from well beyond the immediate area. Check Conwy County Borough Council and local promoters for upcoming events, as these are announced on rolling timescales throughout the year.
Getting There & Facilities
Stadiwm Eirias is within Eirias Park, accessed from Abergele Road and Princes Drive. There is parking within the park, though event days fill quickly — for major concerts and international matches, arriving early or using public transport is strongly advisable. Colwyn Bay station is around 15 minutes on foot from the stadium.
The stadium has modern facilities including accessible seating, concession stands operating on match and event days, and adequate toilets for the capacity. For larger events in the park itself rather than the seated stadium, facility provision varies — check event-specific information for large outdoor concerts. For accessible visitors, the stadium has designated spaces and accessible entrances; contact the venue in advance for specific arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Eirias Stadium?
Inside Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay, accessed from Abergele Road and Princes Drive, around 15 minutes' walk from Colwyn Bay railway station.
Which teams play at Eirias Stadium?
Two clubs: RGC 1404, who play rugby union in the Super Rygbi Cymru, and North Wales Crusaders, who play rugby league in the RFL Championship and have been based there since 2021/22.
How big is Eirias Stadium?
6,080 for sporting fixtures. For concerts, using the surrounding parkland as well as seating, capacity rises to around 15,000.
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