Celtic Cup to be held in Cardiff for the first time

The Wheelchair Celtic Cup is to be held in South Wales for the first time, when Wales, Scotland and Ireland clash at Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Archers Arena on Saturday 24 May.

In the Celtic Cup, each nation plays each other once during the course of a day, meaning fans are able to enjoy three complete 80-minute matches over six hours, with the winner being crowned at the end.

The gruelling annual competition, that started in 2015, was won by Ireland last year, following seven successive titles for Wales.

Wales head coach Alan Caron said: “The Celtic Cup is a permanent fixture on the rugby league calendar and we’re delighted to be hosting it in 2025. With three matches in one day, it’s great entertainment for sports fans and it’s a big day for us. The hard work starts here.

We lost our grip on the trophy last year and we’re determined to get it back. Hopefully, a home support will cheer us onto victory.”

Stephen Jones, head of Wheelchair RL in Wales adds: “We’re delighted that the Celtic Cup is coming back to Wales and we’re definitely pleased that it will be held in Cardiff for the first time.

When we faced Australia in the capital before the last World Cup, we had a good crowd in attendance and I’m sure the rugby league fans in the area will come out again to cheer us on.”

James Davies, chairman of Wales Rugby League said: “At Wales Rugby League, we’re proud to be hosting this year’s Celtic Cup.

It’s great to have international rugby league back in South Wales again for everyone to enjoy. Good luck to all sides as we push towards next year’s World Cup in Australia.”

Ireland won the trophy for the second time last year when it was played on their home turf and their head coach, Phil Roberts, expects it to be a tough ask to retain it despite more domestic competition being played in the nation.

“The Celtic Cup is growing,” he said. “All three nations are making strides in their domestic game which will raise the standard of the matches once again this year.

Our development programme is paying dividends in terms of emerging talent and more experience for existing squad members, providing healthy competition in the team.

We are looking forward to some tough matches and another great day of international wheelchair rugby league.”

Scotland remain the only member of the trio who are yet to record a championship win, however they will be buoyed by last year’s second place finish – their best since 2019 – and are boosted by Edinburgh Giants entering Betfred Wheelchair Super League, which will give their representative players regular exposure to some of the highest standard opponents in the world.

Martyn Gill, in charge of the Giants and now Scotland’s head coach, commented: “We are working hard in all areas to shape what we want Scotland Wheelchair Rugby League to look like, and we know we have to raise our playing standards.

We’re constantly looking to improve and I’m keen to see how this translates into our performances at the 2025 tournament.”

CELTIC CUP FIXTURES

1100: Wales v Scotland Wales, Scotland, and Ireland will play each other in the Wheelchair Celtic Cup for the first time in South Wales on Saturday, May 24, at Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Archers Arena.

 

Because each country competes against another once a day in the Celtic Cup, spectators may see three full 80-minute matches spread out over six hours, with the champion being named at the conclusion.

 

After Wales won the tough yearly championship seven times in a row, Ireland won it last year. The competition began in 2015.

 

“We’re thrilled to be hosting the Celtic Cup in 2025, and it’s a permanent fixture on the rugby league calendar,” said Wales head coach Alan Caron.

It’s a major day for us, and sports fans will find three matches in one day to be quite entertaining.

This is when the hard work begins. We are committed to regaining the trophy that we lost last year. We’re hoping that home support will motivate us to win.

 

“We are thrilled that the Celtic Cup is returning to Wales, and we are definitely pleased that it will be held in Cardiff for the first time,” says Stephen Jones, head of Wheelchair RL in Wales.

We had a sizable crowd when we played Australia in the capital before to the most recent World Cup, and I have no doubt that the local rugby league supporters will return to support us.

 

Wales Rugby League chairman James Davies stated: “We at Wales Rugby League are honored to be hosting the Celtic Cup this year.

Everyone can now watch international rugby league in South Wales, which is fantastic. I wish everyone the best of success as we prepare for the World Cup in Australia next year.

 

Despite more domestic competition being played in the country, Ireland’s head coach, Phil Roberts, believes it will be difficult to hold onto the trophy after they won it for the second time last year when it was contested on their home field.

 

He said, “The Celtic Cup is expanding.” “The domestic game in all three countries is improving, which will enhance the quality of the matches this year as well.

 

By giving current squad members more experience and fostering new talent, our development program is benefitting the team and fostering healthy competition.

 

We anticipate another fantastic day of international wheelchair rugby league, complete with some challenging games.

 

Scotland is still the only one of the three teams without a championship victory, but they will be encouraged by their second-place finish from the previous season, which was their best since 2019, as well as the Edinburgh Giants’ entry into the Betfred Wheelchair Super League, which will expose their representative players to some of the best opponents in the world on a regular basis.

 

“We are working hard in all areas to shape what we want Scotland Wheelchair Rugby League to look like, and we know we have to raise our playing standards,” said Martyn Gill, the former Giants manager and current head coach of Scotland.

 

We’re always trying to become better, and I’m excited to see how this shows up in our results in the 2025 competition.

Fixtures for Celtic Cups

1100: Scotland vs. Wales

1300: Ireland vs. Scotland

1500: Ireland vs. Wales

 

In due time, further information for spectators will be made available.