CARDIFF, Wales — The Principality Stadium, recognized as the loudest venue in the Six Nations, is set to amplify its excitement even further, as officials announced on Tuesday that the roof will remain closed for the next two years during rugby international matches.

This new directive comes after a revision of the existing protocol, which was coordinated with the Six Nations. Under the prior rules, both competing teams had to consent to closing the roof in Cardiff, a stipulation that has now been revoked.

The decision aligns with the growing interest in Welsh rugby, as evidenced by the complete sell-out of tickets for both of Wales’ home matches in the upcoming tournament. The fixture against Ireland on February 22 quickly reached its maximum capacity of 74,000 spectators on Tuesday, adding to the existing sell-out for the Wales-England match scheduled for March 15, which occurred well before Christmas.

Mark Williams, the manager of Principality Stadium, expressed his enthusiasm about the change, stating, “There’s no better atmosphere than a packed-out Principality Stadium roaring Wales along. When the roof is shut, the noise is intimidating. It’s fantastic for both the fans and players.”

Historical data from the 2015 Six Nations highlights the electrifying atmosphere within the stadium. During the match between England and Wales—with the roof open—the noise level peaked at an average of 92 decibels, surpassing 100 decibels when Wales succeeded in scoring a try.

To put this in perspective, a lawnmower produces sound levels around 90 decibels, while health experts recommend that exposure to noise above 85 decibels could lead to hearing damage.