Breaking: “ Cardiff Want Bubble Lifted / Swansea Say NO “

Cardiff City and Swansea City are said to be in disagreement over whether the South Wales derby should remain a bubble fixture.

Monday 24th February 2025



Cardiff City Football Club and Police are happy to have the only Bunble Match in the UK lifted for next season and even were happy to have it lifted this season.

Swansea City have firmly said “NO” they are not willing to pay the costs and are happy to let it continue a Bubble match.

But when we asked Cardiff City whether similar arrangements could be introduced for Bristol City games, a club spokesman came back with an unexpected response. "There are no plans to return to bubble fixtures," he said. "We have no plans to introduce bubble fixtures for the visits of Bristol City or Swansea City."

This came as a surprise because, as far as we knew, bubble restrictions were still in place for the South Wales derby. The Swans seemed to be under the same impression, going by their ticketing guidance for January's derby, which stated: "Supporters are reminded that this remains a ‘bubble’ fixture, meaning anyone wishing to attend must travel on official supporter coaches bar a small number of travel direct requests."

Cardiff City then clarified they consider the South Wales derby a "light bubble" fixture as fans living near the away stadium can now apply to travel directly to the game and there are no longer ticket exchanges at services. But the difference in labelling hints at what is understood to be a contrast in the stances of Cardiff and Swansea — one which has reportedly been brewing for some time.

Keith Morgan:

“Cardiff tried asking Swansea to remove them for this season, and both the police in Swansea and Swansea as a club wouldn't lift the restrictions. Cardiff feel, rightly in my view, that a bubble isn't needed and they can cope with the small minority of people who cause problems. Swansea want to continue the bubble.”

South Wales Police have confirmed “they are happy to lift it, but it’s down to what the Clubs themselves want.”

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It needs to be lifted for couple seasons as a trial one season is not enough... the threat from non football fans could be a problem to start with but as swp get a grip on them problems should be minimal.... pe arg about othe derbies and teams in same city but in some respects our derby is not same as Bristol even though distance is compatible... I suggest problem is more with Swansea fans than city's .....

Has to stay unfortunately. It will be carnage otherwise.

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Has to stay unfortunately. It will be carnage otherwise.

I agree. Too many idiots from both sides will take advantage of the freedom, there will be mayhem in both city centres and all the way to the ground.

Agree lift the ban and it's guaranteed to go off the mutual hatred is still there and always will be.

Has to stay unfortunately. It will be carnage otherwise.

I agree. Too many idiots from both sides will take advantage of the freedom, there will be mayhem in both city centres and all the way to the ground.

Yep, I agree! It’s not just those attending either. The hatred is such that ‘no bubble’ could/would attract those seeking confrontation in areas away from the stadium and they are harder to police!

I would argue that having a bubble in the first place creates a hostile environment.

Cardiff v Bristol has proved time and time again not having a bubble is fine.

Police can handle a few silly fans shouting at pubs.

Very disappointing.

It has to be lifted at some point,but be prepared for a significant lower allocation of away supporters!

Has to stay unfortunately. It will be carnage otherwise.

I agree it would be madness if the bubble doesn’t stay lots of city fans could well be attacked from all areas over there even our young city fans with there parents would be at risk

Has to stay unfortunately. It will be carnage otherwise.

I agree. Too many idiots from both sides will take advantage of the freedom, there will be mayhem in both city centres and all the way to the ground.

Yep, I agree! It’s not just those attending either. The hatred is such that ‘no bubble’ could/would attract those seeking confrontation in areas away from the stadium and they are harder to police!

I also agree.

Has to stay unfortunately. It will be carnage otherwise.

I agree. Too many idiots from both sides will take advantage of the freedom, there will be mayhem in both city centres and all the way to the ground.

Yep, I agree! It’s not just those attending either. The hatred is such that ‘no bubble’ could/would attract those seeking confrontation in areas away from the stadium and they are harder to police!

I also agree.

Doesn't anyone think that same was being said about all the other bubbles that have now stopped? Sure the rivalry was as bad at Wrexham v Chester burnley v Preston to name two! All bubbles was because of trouble so if every other rivalry can be handled no reason why ours can't be... not sure dhy Swansea are shainst it maybe its because they're fans cannot behave and they know it?

It's mostly bravardo, if it was lifted there wouldn't be thousands of Swansea fans waiting for Cardiff fans to arrive, I think it could be lifted now, they'd need to have extra cameras around.

It has to be lifted at some point,but be prepared for a significant lower allocation of away supporters!

Wouldn’t stop idiots meeting up or going into home parts of stadium

It has to be lifted at some point,but be prepared for a significant lower allocation of away supporters!

Wouldn’t stop idiots meeting up or going into home parts of stadium

To do what? Sit on hands and do nothing because immediately it's known they're away fans they'll be ejected from ground at best .... restricted allocation at 1st and go from there ... swp can deal with any trouble makers elsewhere just like would for demonstrations ect.

It has to be lifted at some point,but be prepared for a significant lower allocation of away supporters!

Wouldn’t stop idiots meeting up or going into home parts of stadium

To do what? Sit on hands and do nothing because immediately it's known they're away fans they'll be ejected from ground at best .... restricted allocation at 1st and go from there ... swp can deal with any trouble makers elsewhere just like would for demonstrations ect.

Ok. Hopefully we’ll see how it goes.

It has to be lifted at some point,but be prepared for a significant lower allocation of away supporters!

Wouldn’t stop idiots meeting up or going into home parts of stadium

To do what? Sit on hands and do nothing because immediately it's known they're away fans they'll be ejected from ground at best .... restricted allocation at 1st and go from there ... swp can deal with any trouble makers elsewhere just like would for demonstrations ect.

Ok. Hopefully we’ll see how it goes.

Thats my view give it couple of seasons to sort out the trouble makers and sure wint be as much trouble as people think... Wrexham Chester always had trouble so did Burnley Preston games but no bubble now.... yes its a risk but worth it ... why Swansea against it not sire but its not first time they've been against it.. might have something to do with their troublesm fans being younger than the city hooligan element of the of 80s fame

Let’s be honest this bubble will inevitably come to an end; it should be a game where both sets of fans can travel freely whether by bus, cars or trains and the South Wales Police should be able to put in place escorts from stations to keep fans safe, we cannot be the only bubble trip left in the U.K. it is 2025 and most of us have moved on from the 70s and 80s when football hooliganism was at its peak. I can see the South Wales Derby becoming bubble free very soon, if not next season.

can't wait for it to come to an end, it's about time they had a good slap to put them in thier place.

It will also be interesting to see what happens when the two South Coast clubs Southampton and Pompey play each other next season, two cities 20 miles apart, bet their fans don’t have to put up with a bubble and can make their way by train.

It will also be interesting to see what happens when the two South Coast clubs Southampton and Pompey play each other next season, two cities 20 miles apart, bet their fans don’t have to put up with a bubble and can make their way by train.

Exactly. Fans think it will be carnage. I don't think so. We're lead to believe this because it's been a bubble for so long. Everyone's a hard man behind a police escort. In the era of CCTV, absolutely nothing would happen.