Football Ground Guide: DW Stadium, Wigan Athletic FC

Wigan Athletic
DW Stadium

Capacity: 25,023 (all seated)
Address: Loire Drive, Wigan, WN5 0UZ
Main Telephone No: 01942 774 000
Fax No: 01942 770 477
Ticket Office: 0871 663 3552
Pitch Size: 110 x 60 metres
Team Nickname: Latics
Year Ground Opened: 1999
Undersoil Heating: Yes
Shirt Sponsors: 12BET.com
Home Kit Colours: Blue & White
Away Kit Colours: All Black
3rd Kit Colours: All Red
Kit Manufacturers: MiFit
Official Web Sites:
www.wiganlatics.co.uk
www.dwstadium.co.uk
Unofficial Web Sites:
The Cockney Latic
Ye Olde Tree & Crown
Little Wigan

Contents
What's The DW Stadium Like? External View (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? South Stand (photo) Where To Drink? Boston Stand (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Train Local Rivals Admission Prices Ground Layout Programme & Fanzine Fixtures 2012-2013 Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation DW Stadium Location Map

What's The DW Stadium Like?
The DW Stadium was opened in 1999 after the Club moved from its former home of Springfield Park, where it had been in residence since the Club's formation in 1932. The DW is a functional stadium but overall it has somewhat of a bland look. In fact I would say that it looks more interesting from the outside from a distance than it does within. The four separate stands are of roughly the same height and are all single tiered. They are also quite steep meaning that fans are sat quite close to the playing action, although this is mitigated a little by the fact that the stands themselves are set back a fair distance from the pitch perimeter. Both the side stands have large supporting steel frameworks visible above their roofs, whilst oddly both ends are different, having the steel framework located below the roof line. Unusually for a modern stadium, it does seem to be lacking in the number of corporate areas and executive boxes. There is an electric scoreboard above the Boston (East) Stand, on one side of the ground. The stadium was originally named the JJB Stadium under a sponsorship deal was lasted for 10 years. This was replaced by a new deal in August 2009, which saw the stadium being renamed the DW Stadium in partnership with DW Sports Fitness. The stadium is also shared with Wigan Warriors Rugby League club. Of interest outside the ground is Robins Park, where Wigan play their reserve games and athletics meetings are held. There is quite a sizeable stand on one side of the Park, which was better than a lot that I have seen at other grounds around the country. Top Of Page
DW Stadium - External View
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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are located in the North Stand at one end of the stadium, where up to 5,400 visiting supporters can be accommodated. The stadium is functional and the facilities adequate, but it just seems to lack something, to give it that memorable feeling. The view of the playing action and leg room are generally adequate. To the left of the away section is where the singing Wigan fans tend to congregate, who are aided by a drummer. On the concourse alcohol is available in the form of Tetleys and Carling. To try and bring some the order, there is a queuing system in force which is overseen by the stewards (plus if I remember correctly you could only buy two beers per person). Apart from the beer, I did enjoy one of the best meat and potato pies that I have had in a long time. Scott Carpenter a visiting Newcastle fan adds; 'the concourses seemed too small for the large amount of away fans attending on my visit, which led to it being rather uncomfortably crowded at half time'. Pat Bird a visiting West Bromwich Albion fan informs me; I was very impressed with the price to get in (£20), for a seat right behind the goal. The end given over to visitors was steeply banked with generous leg room. So far so good, however, I would have to agree with the comments of the Newcastle fan. It was an almighty struggle to get through to the loos at half-time. The concourse and toilet areas did not seem adequate to cope with a large away following. We parked in the car park behind the visitors end, which was fine, however, it took an age to get away after the match. For anyone visiting the DW you could do worse than have a meal after the match in one of the nearby restaurants before heading for home. Within 100 metres of the ground there is a Franky & Bennys, an Indian restaurant and a number of other establishments'. Top Of Page
South Stand
Thanks to Tim Rigby for supplying some photos for this page. Top Of Page
Where To Drink?
Simon Wright a visiting West Bromwich Albion fan informs me; 'Beside the away turnstiles is an entrance to a bar, specifically for the use of away fans. It has the usual bar, big screen television and sells pies, as well as teas and coffees. It's a great facility and welcomes families' It is know as the Marquee Bar as it resembles one inside. The traditional pub for away fans visiting the DW stadium is the Red Robin, which is only a few minutes walk away from the ground opposite the Cinema Complex. Otherwise in the centre of town is a Wetherspoons outlet called the 'Moon Under Water' which was popular with away supporters on my last visit. Also worth a visit is the award winning 'Anvil' pub, which is located next to the bus station. Both these pubs are listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Also worth a mention is the Berkeley on Wallgate (near the railway station). This fair sized pub, had a good mix of home and away supporters on my last visit, serves five ever changing real ales and shows Sky Sports on a huge screen. Otherwise alcohol is available inside the stadium. Andrew MacGregor adds; 'The Swan and Railway pub opposite North Western railway station was very welcoming. They encouraged us to put our Reading flag up in the window and were very pleasant to us all'. Top Of Page
Boston Stand
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How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
From The South: Leave the M6 to Junction 25 then take the A49 to Wigan. After around two miles you should pass an Aldi store on your left, before reaching a large roundabout, that is traffic light controlled. Turn left at this roundabout into Robin Park Road and continue into Scot Lane. The ground is down Scot Lane on your right. From The North: Leave the M6 at Junction 26 and follow the signs for Wigan town centre (this road meets the A49) then turn left into Robin Park and continue into Scot Lane. The ground is down Scot Lane on your right. Paul Heywood adds; 'I would recommend that away supporters, travelling from the South, should come off at Junction 26 (see From The North) as there are often queues from Junction 25 towards the stadium. Map showing the location of DW Stadium (at the bottom of this page). Car Parking: There is a large car park at the stadium, specifically for the use of away supporters, which costs £5 per car or motorbike, £10 for mini buses and £20 for coaches. As you may expect though, there is sometimes quite a delay in getting out of this car park after the game, especially if there has been a larger than normal crowd in attendance. Make sure though that you avoid parking on the nearby Retail Park, as parking there is restricted to two hours and I have been informed of a number of fans who have ended up getting parking tickets (£50) because of this. Top Of Page
Springfield Stand
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By Train
Wigan's central railway stations (Wigan North Western & Wallgate stations) are a good 20 minute walk from the ground. So either take a taxi, or break up the journey with a few pub stops on the way! On exiting Wigan North Railway Station turn left and go down the road heading under a railway bridge. On leaving Wallgate station turn right and go down the road passing Wigan North station on your left and then proceed under the railway bridge. It is a fairly straight walk along Robin Park Road passing the Jacobs Well Pub (at Wigan Pier) on your left, which is okay for away supporters. When you reach the Seven Stars hotel, you should be able to see the stadium over on your right. Either at the Seven Stars Hotel turn right and follow the locals on a shortcut along a canal to the stadium, or take the next road on the right. Adam Hodson adds; 'I caught the train to Wigan Wallgate, crossed the road in between the two stations and I jumped on the 621 First Manchester Bus which dropped me off outside the Red Robin Pub. I then had a short 3-4 Minute walk from the Bus stop to the stadium. Bus No 600, a more Frequent service, runs up to Robin Park Roundabout from the two stations, It's about a 5-10 Minute walk from the roundabout to the Stadium. Remember if travelling by train then you can save on the cost of fares by booking in advance. Visit the thetrainline website to see how much you can save. Top Of Page
Local Rivals
Manchester City, Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers & Burnley. Top Of Page
Admission Prices
Common with most Clubs, Wigan operate a category system (A, B C) for matches whereby tickets cost more for the most popular matches (category A). Category C prices are shown below in brackets. Home Fans: East & West Stands (Centre): Adults £30 (B £27) (C £22), Concessions £20 (B £18) (C £15) All other areas of the stadium: Adults £28 (B £25) (C £20), Concessions £20 (B £18) (C £15) Away Fans: North Stand: Adults £28 (B £25) (C £20), Concessions £20 (B £18) (C £15) Juniors can obtain a further discount on the concession price in the East & South Stands, providing that they first become Club members. Concessions apply to Senior Citizens and Under 16's. Top Of Page
Ground Layout
For a stadium plan showing the individual block numbers then visit the Mayfair Global Events website. Please note they are NOT connected to the Club. Top Of Page
Programme & Fanzine
Official Programme: £3 Cockney Latic Fanzine: £1 Top Of Page
Fixtures 2012-2013
Wigan Athletic fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website). Top Of Page
Disabled Facilities
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website. Top Of Page
Record & Average Attendance
At JJB Stadium: 25,133 v Manchester United Premier League, May 11th 2008. At Springfield Park: 27,526 v Hereford United FA Cup 2nd Round, December 12th, 1953. Average Attendance: 2011-2012: 18,634 (Premier League) 2010-2011: 16,812 (Premier League) 2009-2010: 18,006 (Premier League) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of The DW Stadium
Matthew Jackson (Newcastle United) 17/3/13 Chris Henry (Sunderland) 19/1/13 Matty Atkinson (Sunderland) 19/1/13 Paul R (Arsenal) 22/12/12 Dom Bickerton (Stoke City) 31/3/12 Robert Allen (Manchester City) 16/1/12 Elliot Guthrie (Arsenal) 3/12/11 Zac Cohen (West Ham United) 15/5/11 Patrick Burke (Everton) 30/01/10 Top Of Page
Hotel Accommodation
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. The Hotels listing also includes details of how far away the accommodation is located from the DW Stadium. Access their Wigan Hotels and Guest Houses page. Remember that you can use the above link or panel below to book any other hotels that you may need for business or leisure, either in the UK or abroad. Top Of Page
Map Showing Location of the DW Stadium, Railway Stations and listed Pubs
Instructions for using the map: - Use the bar on the left of the map to zoom in / out using the + / - keys. - Click and drag an area of the map to move around or use the up/down, left/right arrows - Click the Satellite button to see aerial view photograph. Top Of Page
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me duncan@footballgrounds.net and I'll update the guide.

Football Ground Guide Index
All rights reserved Last Updated: 12 April 2013