According to bookmakers and the media, Birmingham had been favourites to win. The referee for the match was Graham Barber from Tring. It was reported that winning the match was worth . A significant police operation was mounted with concerns over potential clashes of Cardiff City fans with those of Brentford and Stoke City who had contested the Second Division play-off final the day before. Birmingham were aiming to overcome the "dressing room curse" which had seen none of the eleven clubs using the south changing room win since matches were moved from Wembley Stadium to the Millennium Stadium. Birmingham were the first club to lose having used those facilities in the 2001 Football League Cup Final. In anticipation of sunny weather it was announced that the roof of the stadium would be closed "in the interests of play-off spectator comfort". It was the first time such a course of action had been taken other than for inclement weather. Prior to kick off, the girl group Atomic Kitten played a set.