Judgement Day Rugby 2023: Welsh Rugby’s Extravaganza Returns in 2023

After three years without it, Welsh Rugby’s Judgement Day will return for the 2022/23 season. Find out when the day shall come, who is involved, and how you can get premium hospitality packages to the games.

The BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) has been without one of its flagship events since 2020. But finally, the Judgement Day Welsh Rugby event will return in 2023 to close the season.

It is described as “The biggest family event in the rugby calendar”, and is indeed a full day of exciting rugby action.

Find out more about the day, where it will take place and when, who will be playing, and how you can get premium hospitality packages and VIP tickets to the games.

What is Judgement Day rugby?

Welsh Rugby’s Judgement Day was first played in 2013 as part of the 2012/13 Pro12 season, when the URC was named as such due to it containing 12 teams instead of the 16 it has now.

The 16 teams are made up of clubs from Wales (four), Ireland (four), South Africa (four), Scotland (two), and Italy (two).

The Judgement Day rugby event - not to be confused with the biblical Judgement Day - is played on the final day of the URC season, and is contested by the four Welsh teams in the competition; Ospreys, Dragons RFC, Scarlets and Cardiff Rugby.

The event sees the same two matchups every year, with the two east Wales region teams (Dragons RFC & Cardiff Rugby) taking on the two west Wales region teams (Ospreys & Scarlets).

The importance of Judgement Day is not just for bragging rights, but it can determine who earns a spot in the following season’s European Rugby Champions Cup - the premier European rugby union championship tournament.

As Judgement Day takes place on the final weekend of the season, it can determine who finishes on top in the Welsh Shield regional pool.

A quick explanation of the regional pools - within the league table there are four regional pools for each country of which the teams are from. There is the Welsh Shield, South African Shield, Irish Shield and Scottish/Italian Shield (combined pool as there are only two clubs from each country).

Where and when is Judgement Day rugby 2023?

Judgement Day has been played at Wales’ impressive Principality Stadium, one of the UK’s and Europe’s largest stadiums, almost every year with the exception of in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic meant the stadium was used as the Dragon’s Heart Hospital, a temporary hospital used between April-November 2020.

The event will return to the Principality in 2023, marking its true return to the URC schedule.

As mentioned, the two games are played during the last weekend of the URC season, with both games happening back-to-back in a double header on one day.

In 2023, that day will be Saturday 22nd April, with the first game being played at 3 pm, and the second at 5.15 pm (both local time).

What are the games for Judgement Day rugby 2023?

The two games for the event are Scarlets vs Dragons RFC and Ospreys vs Cardiff Rugby.

Scarlets vs Dragons RFC will be the first game at 3 pm, with Ospreys vs Cardiff Rugby following at 5.15 pm.

These are the same two matchups for every Judgement Day, except for Judgement Day II in 2014, when Cardiff Rugby (then known as the Cardiff Blues) faced the Scarlets and the Dragons (then known as the Newport Gwent Dragons) played the Ospreys.

In those one-off games, Cardiff beat the Scarlets 17-13, and the Ospreys beat the Dragons 20-10.

The all-time records for the regular matchups (Scarlets vs Dragons, Ospreys vs Cardiff) sees the Scarlets dominant over the Dragons, winning six of their seven matches.

It’s largely the same in the other game, too, with the Ospreys coming away the victors in five of their seven games against Cardiff.

How do I get tickets to Judgement Day rugby 2023?

With the biggest event in Welsh rugby returning after a three-year hiatus, Judgement Day, which was already a big occasion, will be immensely popular and will be well-celebrated by the fans.

For that, you will absolutely not want to miss out on the big event. And such a spectacular event deserves to be spent in the most spectacular way, which you can get from a premium hospitality package!

Seat Unique are delighted to be able to open fan access to premium hospitality packages at the Principality Stadium, providing fans with the opportunity to experience a game at the wondrous venue in luxury.

As an official partners of the Welsh Rugby Union and Principality Stadium Experiences, we exclusively power their online hospitality sales.

Any events happening at the stadium, we are on hand to provide fans with premium hospitality packages and VIP tickets.

For Judgement Day, we will be providing two packages for either game. They are:

• Lounge Package
• Private Suite

Many people see a Private Suite package as the pinnacle of hospitality to an event, and for good reason.

The Private Suite package gives you exactly that - a private suite for you to entertain your guests in, with a two-course informal buffet meal, complimentary drinks including beers, wines and soft drinks, and balcony seats situated just outside the suite that provides unbeatable views of the action.

As for the Lounge Package, this is more of a relaxed hospitality experience, but a premium day out nonetheless.

With the Lounge Package, you will benefit from a padded seat that is perfectly placed on the halfway line in the middle tier of the stands, two-course informal street food on offer, complimentary drinks, live music throughout the day, and a Q&A with a rugby legend.

Whichever package floats your boat, you will be sure to have an incredible, unforgettable experience. Get your Judgement Day hospitality package now.

Seat Unique are proud to be partnered with Ospreys Rugby, providing fans with premium hospitality to all their home games.