 The Millennium Stadium has faced problems of ticket touting |
In 2005 the Millennium Stadium has increasingly come under the media spotlight - sometimes as much down to ticket touting as for the historic events it has staged. In January, the stadium hosted the star-studded Tsunami Relief Concert.
A total of 60,000 tickets were snapped up within three days of going on sale.
With such a huge demand it was not long before tickets started appearing on the internet for vastly inflated prices.
Many web traders said they would donate all profits to the Tsunami appeal, but many others did not make their intentions clear.
The debate that followed saw this internet trading condemned by stadium and charity bosses as "a disgrace" and "immoral" but, significantly, not illegal.
Two months later, the stadium hosted Wales' Six Nations showdown against Ireland.
With Welsh supporters across the world clamouring to see Wales clinch the Grand Slam, it was no surprise to see the issue of ticket touting rise again.
In the days before the game a pair of tickets for the match were selling for �2,000 on the internet.
 Fans are being urged to avoid buying tickets from touts |
On Thursday the Welsh Rugby Union held a news conference at the Stadium, to announce joint plans to toughen up the ticketing system in an attempt to crackdown on touts.
It is hoped that changes to ticketing policy will make it harder for touts to sell tickets on the street or on the internet.
If caught, they could lose their right to buy tickets for Millennium Stadium events in the future.
People who have bought tickets from touts may also find that they are refused entry into the stadium.
WRU Group Chief Executive David Moffett said action was needed to protect fans.
"We're saying to everyone who buys a ticket that you cannot sell that ticket for a profit.
 | New WRU Ticket Rules Not used as competition prizes unless authorised Not re-sold for more than face value No replacement issued if lost Admission may be refused shortly before kick-off No re-admittance after leaving stadium |
"We've had enough of people profiteering from this game. We want tickets to go to bona fide rugby supporters."
The move comes ahead of Wales' high profile rugby internationals at the stadium in November, where two thirds of tickets have already been sold.
Millennium Stadium chief executive Paul Sergeant said he was looking at paper free, electronic ticket systems to reduce the chance of touting.
"It's not acceptable to the WRU. It's not acceptable to the public. People are being ripped off.
"Some people will go to any extent to make money and yet they don't think of the consequences."
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It's not acceptable to the WRU. It's not acceptable to the public. People are being ripped off
