'Rip-off' Cardiff costs city a pounds 10m rugby pay day.

Byline: Tim Lewis 

RUGBY league officials have admitted for the first time that rocketing hotel prices cost Cardiff the flagship Millennium Magic event - worth an estimated pounds 10m.

The Millennium Stadium hosted Super League's prize competition for the last two years, but the arena has now been dumped by organisers in favour of Edinburgh.

More than 60,000 fans made the trip to the capital for last year's 'Millennium Magic' event pumping around pounds 10m into the local economy.

But Rugby Football League (RFL) communications manager Craig Spence says supporters have been put off by the cost of staying in the city.

He said: "When we got our fans' survey back quite a few people complained the cost of hotels shot up during that weekend.

"Some of them were forced to stay in budget hotels in Swansea, with some even camping out because hotels were too expensive.

"Edinburgh has nearly twice as many rooms as Cardiff and although prices do go up - fans can still find affordable accommodation."

Andy Gatcliffe, chief executive of rugby league side Warrington Wolves, has also been highly critical of the way it was handled last year.

He said: "They started selling tickets about a week before, which is very short notice. The commitment just wasn't there.

"The Welsh tourist board and Cardiff council had put money up, wanting to get visitors in the area and helping the economy."

Derek Harvey, chairman of the Cardiff Hoteliers' Association, hit back at the claims saying the prices had stayed at a similar level during the two successful years of Millennium Magic.

Mr Harvey said: "Like every other city that holds major events it's all relative to demand.

"At the Millennium Stadium prices go up for games like (the recent international rugby union match) against New Zealand and down for games against teams like Canada. Hotels' prices are the same.

"As an association we are looking to work closer with the Stadium so we can both work together at attracting the best annual events to Cardiff."

Now renamed the Magic Weekend, it features a full round of Super League fixtures played over two days.

The RFL is advertising Edinburgh as having a "great choice" of accommodation at a full range of prices.

Millennium Stadium boss Gerry Toms said: "I know the rugby league officials have been critical of the hotel prices and we've expressed our concern about it.

"Cardiff is competing with a lot of other cities and although I believe none of them can offer the service we can, we should not get complacent.

"But I disagree the commitment was not there because tickets were on sale months before."

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CAPTION(S):

SUPER LEAGUE: Representatives of the rugby league teams that took part in the Super League Millennium Magic weekend at the Millennium Stadium last May gather at Cardiff Castle for a photocall