
Principality Stadium seeks to extend operating hours until 03:30 to accommodate US television broadcast schedules
Cardiff residents have filed objections against the Principality Stadium's request to extend licensing hours for the Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury fight, citing concerns over noise, anti-social behaviour, and public safety during the 03:00 finish.
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The Principality Stadium is seeking a license variation to allow activities until 03:00 GMT on 12 December for the Joshua-Fury fight. Previous boxing events, such as Calzaghe vs. Kessler in 2007, have utilized late-night schedules.
Concerns have been raised by local residents over plans for next month's much-anticipated Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury fight in Cardiff to run into the early hours of the morning.
The all-British heavyweight fight is due to take place at Principality Stadium on 11 December, with the event expected to finish at 03:00 GMT the following morning - to align with prime time viewing in the United States.
But as part of the stadium's application to extend licensing hours, Cardiff Council has received objections, external related to concerns about anti-social behaviour, noise, traffic and public safety.
The council's licensing sub-committee will meet to discuss the proposals on 25 November.
The stadium operates a curfew until 01:00 when the roof is closed but has requested permission for licensed activities - including the sale of alcohol and the playing of music - to continue until 03:00 on 12 December, with the venue remaining open until 03:30.
The Principality Stadium is located in central Cardiff - part of its draw as an internationally recognised venue - but there are also residential properties nearby.
One person who lives directly opposite the stadium wrote to the council saying they supported the event taking place, but called for extra conditions to be put in place "to protect residents living immediately around the stadium".
"My representation relates to the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder," the resident wrote.
The resident called for a dispersal plan for streets around the stadium, with stewards in place until crowds have cleared, no amplified music outside the stadium after midnight and for street-cleaning to be completed by 08:00 on 12 December.
Three others also wrote to the council, calling for the application to be rejected, with one arguing the "noise and late-night disturbance" would not come to an end when the event finishes.
"Music, amplified sound, large crowds, shouting, vehicles, taxis and people leaving the stadium can all result in disturbance continuing well into the early morning," the resident wrote.
Another resident with young children said the event running into the early hours of the morning would "cause absolute chaos for those of us living right next to it".
The person said issues such as "shouting and singing" early in the morning would "completely wake the whole house up and leave us with exhausted, stressed children".
Others wrote in support of the licensing conditions being granted, with one saying they believed the event would bring a "significant economic boost" to businesses in the city.
Another said the event could help bring more tourists, particularly from the United States, to Cardiff.
One of the most anticipated bouts in recent boxing history, numerous venues were put forward when the fight was proposed, including New York's Madison Square Garden.
However, focus shifted to the UK after Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn refused to budge on their contractual right to stage the fight on British soil.
Wembley Stadium was touted as a potential venue - with London Mayor Sadiq Khan urging promoters to get in touch - but its strict 23:00 event curfew proved an issue given Netflix's preference to broadcast during prime time hours in the US.
In Cardiff, while early-hour finishes require extensive co-ordination around transport, policing and crowd management in the city centre, the venue already holds a precedent for late-night boxing.
In 2007, Joe Calzaghe's super-middleweight unification victory over Mikkel Kessler did not start until 02:00 local time to satisfy US television network Showtime.
The stadium's application for the variation of the licence has been made according to the Licensing Act 2003, with a 28-day consultation period allowed.
Representations can be made to object to or support the proposals around prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance and protection of children from harm.
If objections are received, the council's licensing sub-committee must meet to hear them, and "may modify the conditions of the licence or reject the whole or part of the application".
The Principality Stadium has been asked to comment.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Cardiff Council licensing sub-committee meeting on 25 November.
Very likely · Within weeks

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