Cardiff selected to host 2023 World Wheelchair Rugby European Championship

Cardiff is set to host the UK's first ever World Wheelchair Rugby European Championships in 2023.

The city was chosen after Great Britain was awarded the hosting rights for the competition.

The GB wheelchair rugby team claimed a historic gold medal in the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics this summer.

The event will be held at the Principality Stadium in partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff City Council and Disability Sport Wales.

Gold medallist Jim Roberts represented Great Britain at the Paralympics this summer and said he is thrilled by the chance to play at such an iconic stadium.

He said: "It it is such a cool stadium I was here a few weeks ago when it was full to the rafters with a cheering crowd, so any event at the Principality Stadium is amazing.

"For wheelchair rugby to be showcased in the heart of welsh rugby is fantastic for everybody involved.

"We have played at big stadiums but nothing comes close to this, and to get the awareness out there on such a massive stage will be amazing."

The hosts are hoping to help the local community understand the challenges that people with disabilities face on a regular basis.

Darren Carew, national inclusion manager of the Welsh Rugby Union is thrilled at the chance to showcase wheelchair rugby at the event.

He said: "It is incredible, it is the compilation of a long journey we as the Welsh Rugby Union have been engaged in.

"We are very comfortable with wheelchair rugby, this event supercharges our ability to engage with the public and raise the profile of wheelchair rugby, to get bums on seats and players involved, thats what it's all about for us."

Being at the home of Welsh Rugby will give athletes the opportunity to perform in front of a passionate rugby-loving crowd.

The eight-team event, will take place over five days between 3-7 May 2023. It will act as a qualifier for Paris 2024, with the top two teams automatically qualifying for the Paralympic Games.