Wales looking to set new record attendance when they play Estonia at the Cardiff City Stadium
Natasha Harding of Wales celebrates scoring her sides second goal. Wales v Kazakhstan in FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifier at Parc y Scarlets on the 17th September 2021. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Wales are hoping to achieve a new record attendance for a women’s international fixture when they face Estonia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday 26 October.
The current record crowd stands at 5,053 when they faced England at Rodney Parade back in 2018.
Current ticket sales have surpassed the 4,000 mark which has lead to to members of the playing squad and coaching staff are hopeful that a new record could be set in the capital.
“It’s amazing that we’ve sold over 4,000 tickets”, said Wales captain Sophie Ingle. “It helps that we are at Cardiff City Stadium, I think that’s a good base for us in the city centre that people can get too easily.
“We just can’t wait now for tomorrow night to hear, hopefully, at least 5,000 fans.”
Ingle is a member of the squad who can remember a time when the numbers in the crowd at a women’s international would be dominated by the player’s friends and families.
The Chelsea midfielder has acknowledged just how important it is to have the Red Wall supporting Wales as they look to qualify for the World Cup and reach their first major tournament.
“They love Wales as much as we do and we love representing our country.
“Just having those fans in the crowd cheering us on from minute one, then [singing] the anthem with us which erupts the stadium it’s phenomenal.
“Knowing it’s not just our family and friends that come anymore, it’s the wider public and they enjoy coming to watch women’s football and Welsh football.
Wales boss Gemma Grainger‘s only game in the dugout at the CCS so far saw Wales draw 1-1 with Denmark in a friendly played behind close doors.
She is looking forward to getting her first taste in the home of Welsh football in front of fans.
“My first experience in the Kazakhstan game was absolutely incredible. I think that was just over 2,000 fans so to think that we are close to 5,000 is a real special moment.
“I can sense it in the players. They are talking about it at meal times and they are all really aware of our responsibility to be a team that really makes the fans proud, because they really play a big part in our success.
The crowd on Tuesday night will have a large representation from grassroots clubs. Grainger pointed out that the last stat she had heard was that over 1,800 tickets had been sold to girl’s teams in Wales.
