By WRU
The EDF Energby Cup semi-finals will take place at Coventry's Ricoh Arena in Match next year.
The £113m venue will host the double-header on Saturday March 28, 2009 (2.30pm and 5.15pm, live on BBC television).
With two Heineken Cup semi-finals and a pool match held at the 32,000 capacity stadium since it opened three years ago, the Ricoh Arena is no stranger to rugby.
The road to the Ricoh, home to Coventry City Football Club, kicks off with this weekend's EDF Energy Cup first round and Tournament Director Terry Burwell said: "We are delighted to be able to take the semi-finals to a new venue and we are looking forward to a memorable double-header.
"The Ricoh has a good track record in hosting top class rugby, having successfully held three Heineken Cup matches, and we are already working with the stadium on delivering a first rate event."
Daniel Gidney, Chief Executive of the Ricoh Arena, said: "This is great news for the Ricoh Arena and for the region. The EDF Energy Cup is the premier domestic knockout competition and to host two semi-final matches on the same day will be a memorable occasion.
"The multi-purpose Ricoh is an international destination for business, entertainment and sport and has proved that it is an ideal arena for rugby. We are determined to put on a magnificent occasion for the players, supporters and organisers of the competition."
The switch from Cardiff's Millennium Stadium has been made because the Welsh football team have a FIFA 2010 World Cup qualifier against Finland there on the same day.
Burwell added: "I would like to thank the Welsh Rugby Union and the Millennium Stadium for their hard work in hosting the last three semi-final days. Once we knew that we were unable to use the facility this season because of the clash then we searched thoroughly for the most suitable venue and we very much feel that we have found it in the Ricoh Arena."
Ray Wiltshire, EDF Energy Head of Sponsorship and PR, said: "Central England is a rugby heartland and the Ricoh Arena a wonderful modern stadium which gets you close to all the action. We're really excited about the prospect of bringing the EDF Energy Cup to a new stadium, one that offers a fantastic setting for back-to-back semi-finals."
Tickets will be on sale from October 30 from Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.uk, the Ricoh Arena www.ricoharena.com and the subsequent semi-finalists, priced £35, £28, £20 and £10 for Under-15s.
The final of the EDF Energy Cup will take place at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday April 18, 2009 (2.30pm, live on BBC television).
