Swansea City salvaged a thrilling 1-1 draw against Preston in the Championship thanks to Liam Cullen’s stoppage-time equalizer, capping a electric evening boosted by co-owner Snoop Dogg’s first live match appearance at Swansea.com Stadium.
Star Arrival Ignites Carnival Atmosphere
The rap icon, who acquired a minority stake in the Welsh club last July, arrived dressed head-to-toe in white Swansea-branded gear, including a shirt, trousers, jacket, and sunglasses. He carried a speaker, posed for photos with enthusiastic fans, and even joined a kickabout before kick-off.
Supporters created a festive vibe, waving white towels printed with Snoop Dogg’s face and the phrase ‘make some noise.’ The club urged fans to arrive early for a pre-match towel twirl, a nod to American sports traditions. Snoop received a standing ovation during a seven-minute lap of honor around the pitch.
Record Attendance and Hollywood Flair
The visit drew a record crowd to the stadium, which opened in 2005. Snoop, fresh from his ‘Coach Snoop’ duties with Team USA at the Winter Olympics, had spent the prior day at a private gig in Llansamlet and the club’s training ground. He expressed pride in joining Swansea, calling it ‘an underdog that bites back, just like me.’
The club’s board also features American TV host Martha Stewart and Croatia’s Luka Modric.
Dramatic Match Unfolds
Preston took the lead in the 26th minute through Daniel Jebbison, threatening to dampen the party mood. Swansea fought back, with Cullen’s 95th-minute strike securing a point and sending the stadium into rapture.
Snoop watched much of the game from the stands but moved to the club lounge late, catching the winner on TV screens. Footage captured him celebrating, exclaiming ‘way to go buddy’ while applauding Cullen’s heroics.
Preston Boss Cracks Joke Post-Match
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom noted his team’s composure amid the hype, adding with a grin: ‘The only thing I noticed different was the smell of weed in the tunnel before the game!’
