Last Update: August 26, 2024
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.
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 is also shared with Wigan Warriors Rugby League club.
Away fans are located in the North Stand at one end of the stadium, where up to 4,800 visiting supporters can be accommodated making it a good away day for fans of clubs that have large away followings.
The view of the playing action and leg room are generally adequate, however, the stadium certainly lacks charm particularly as it very rarely sells out.
The concourses are pretty spacious with plenty of food and drink offerings available via the kiosks. As Wigan is a town famous for its pies, it’s worth trying a pie at half time if you are feeling peckish.
The Marquee Suite in the North Stand can be found next to the away turnstile and is a free-to-enter bar for away supporters on match day. In terms of pubs near the stadium, here are three that are worth checking out:
While the food at the DW Stadium is not revolutionary, what they do brilliantly is master the basics. Pies, chips, burgers and more are a staple of the ground, and you can very rarely go wrong ordering them.
Here is an example of the type of scran to expect upon your visit:
Away supporters will enter the DW Stadium via turnstiles located behind the North Stand, just off Anjoy Boulevard. One thing to note is the fact that the coach park is situated on the other side of the stadium, so a short walk to the North Stand will be required for fans arriving by coach.
Home fans will then have the choice of turnstiles at each of the three remaining stands, and should consult their match ticket to confirm which section of the ground they should head towards.
All supporters with tickets to a box should enter through the West Stand.
From The South:
Leave the M6 to Junction 25 then take the A49 to Wigan. After around two and a half miles you should pass a junction on your left with the A577 and then approach a large roundabout, that has a McDonalds on the right hand side. Continue straight on but keep in the left lane and then at the lights (with the SCS Sofa and Bed store in front) take the left hand filter lane by the large Asda superstore towards Robin Park. Currently there is a new housing development on the left which has some handy street parking. Otherwise continue straight on passing the Red Robin pub on your right. At the next roundabout go straight across and at the next traffic lights turn right into stadium way for the ground and car parks.
From The North:
Leave the M6 at Junction 26 and follow the signs for Wigan town centre along the A577. After around two miles you will pass an Aldi store on your left before reaching a large a roundabout (which is the junction with the A49). Keep in the left lane and then at the lights (with the SCS Sofa and Bed store in front) take the left hand filter lane by the large Asda superstore towards Robin Park. Then as From the South above.
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 minibuses 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.
Post Code for SAT NAV: WN5 0UZ
Wigan’s central railway stations (Wigan North Western & Wallgate stations) are both around a 20-minute walk from the stadium. We’d recommend breaking up the journey with a few pub stops on the way.
If you want to stay in Wigan overnight, then some examples of hotels near the DW Stadium with good reviews are as follows:
Wigan operate a tiered ticketing system where prices change depending on the match. Their matches are categorised as either Gold, Silver or Bronze. Ticket prices for Gold matches for the 2023/24 season are:
Opened in 1999, the DW Stadium has been the home of Wigan Athletic for 25 years, taking over from the club’s previous home, Springfield Park.
The first match to take place at the ground was a friendly with English giants Manchester United, and their manager at the time, Sir Alex Ferguson, was actually the man to officially open the stadium.
A new ground gave the team the platform it needed to flourish and by 2005, Wigan had reached the heights of English football and were regulars in the Premier League.
However, it wasn’t just football that was played at the facility, with Wigan Warriors, a rugby league side, also calling the stadium home from 1999 until the present day.
The DW Stadium, then, although relatively new compared to other grounds, has become an integral part of the town.
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the official Wigan Athletic website.
You know it! Sing along…
An UNBELIEVABLE day to be a Latics fan!
We DEFY the odds! #wafc pic.twitter.com/5YAoz5ULDR
— Official Wigan Athletic Supporters Club (@WiganAthSC) August 19, 2023
Record Attendance
At DW Stadium:
25,133 v Manchester United
Premier League, 11th May 2008.
At Springfield Park:
27,526 v Hereford United
FA Cup 2nd Round, 12th December 1953.
Average Attendance
2022-2023: 12,240 (Championship)
2021-2022: 9,945 (League One)
2020-2021: N/A (Covid)
2019-2020: 10,592 (Championship)
2018-2019: 11,663 (Championship)
2017-2018: 9,152 (League One)
In terms of expansion work or rebuilds, there is nothing in the pipeline for the DW Stadium or Wigan Athletic. However, in 2022, the stadium underwent a £1m refurbishment which improved hospitality offerings inside the stadium. A new sports bar was also built in the stadium as were conference and event spaces.
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
Big game for both sides Wigan could have gone up with a win we could have cemented our play off spot with a win .
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Drove up took us 5 hours ground was easy to find plenty of car parking around the ground but for a quicker getaway we street parked about 10 minutes walk away
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went into the Marquee on the back of the away end for a beer really good facility was full of Argyle fans .
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Been here before nice stadium away end is excellent good veiw from any seating position the other 3 sides similar no restricted views.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Wigan started really well put us under a lot of pressure 1st Half .We got into the game 2nd half and went 1 0 up Wigan equalised with 15 minutes to go great atmosphere from both sets of fans .Very difficult to get served on the concourse with 2000 away fans their so didn't bother with refreshments,Stewards were fine very pleasant the ones we spoke to .
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Not a problem getting away probably a bit different if parking at the ground but we were back on the M6 in 20 minutes
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Enjoyed the game we were hanging on at the end but good point and worth the long journey,spoke to quite a few home fans wished us luck for the remaining games .
28th February 2022 Ben Littledyke Game Attended Wigan Athletic v Sunderland Competition League One Date 26/02/2022Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
An away trip to Wigan always brings with it the prospect of a large away allocation and a relatively short journey. However, with Sunderland's recent shambolic run of form this wasn't enough to stop most fans approaching this fixture with a sense of trepidation, even though almost 5000 made the trip to support the red and whites. Wigan deservedly sat in the automatic promotion spaces, while our season looked to be nosediving spectacularly.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The walk from Wigan town centre took around 20 minutes through some fairly nondescript industrial estates, but thankfully we set off with plenty of time to spare.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We'd stayed in Wigan the night before to make a weekend of it, and it was a decent time with some very welcoming pubs. The Raven and The Anvil were particular highlights, with a good mix of home and away fans mingling with no problems. We also sampled some of the much-lauded local pies, which were well-deserving of their reputation. The Wigan fans we spoke to were sound.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
The DW is a fairly sizeable ground with a very modern feel to it, although the Latics are arguably hampered slightly by sharing it with the town's rugby team, meaning there's little chance of creating much character for the place.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
In typical Sunderland fashion we produced one of our best performances of the season just when most fans had given up hope. There was a buoyant mood among the home fans before kick off, but that was dampened when Sunderland took the lead in the opening minutes. The away side managed the game excellently from then onwards, extending our lead with a penalty just before half time. The facilities at half time were pretty good compared with most other League One grounds, which generally aren't equipped to cater for large away followings. The second half began and Sunderland kept the hosts at bay before adding some gloss to the scoreline with their second penalty of the game. The match finished 3-0, and led to much jubilation in the away end.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
There was some intensity in the air on the way back from the ground as we walked back to the town centre, culminating in some minor clashes between the two sets of fans outside the train station. Thankfully though, this was a minority, and hardly a reflection on either club's support.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Overall Wigan was a brilliant away day (obviously helped by the win), with decent, affordable pubs, good food, and a great atmosphere. Hopefully we're both playing each other in The Championship next season.
2nd February 2022 Rob Pickett Game Attended Wigan Athletic V Oxford United Competition League 1 Date 01/02/2022Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
Top of the table clash with Wigan challenging for autos and Oxford for play-offs. I hadn't been to a game for a month so, like with a number of northern exiles, a game that had to be attended. Additionally I had my original ticket from Nov when the game was called off due to Covid-19.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I met up with friends beforehand and drove. Google Maps was fine, but the ground was well signposted. I parked at the leisure centre for £4 which was a short walk to the ground. The location is fairly typical of modern ground set-ups with retail, leisure and some food outlets in proximity.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
My Oxford cohorts were staying at a local Premier Inn and had an early bite to eat there to avoid stadium catering. After parking, went to The Red Robin - a large Greene King chain pub. No real ale on, but plenty of room with a lot of people in. Decent atmosphere with a mix of fans.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
This was a "standard" modern stadium. You do get a good view from the away end and there is enough leg room. I thought it was a decent venue.Connectivity for your phone was an issue though.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
First half quite cagey. Oxford went ahead with superb team goal. Wigan changed formation and got an equaliser.1-1 at H/T reflected the game. In the 2nd half Wigan dominated and Oxford were hanging on. It was a point gained on the evening. I can see Wigan gaining automatic promotion this season. We have a decent chance of play-off.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Not too bad, A bit of traffic obviously but we were on our way back to the hotel quickly enough and had a couple of pints to round the evening off.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Wigan is one of the venues to go to on a Saturday when you enjoy some decent pubs/food in the town centre before going to the ground. Tuesday evening is more limiting. It was a valuable point for Oxford's play-off push. Wigan are one of the better sides in L1 this season.
28th December 2021 Ryan Illidge-Breen Game Attended Wigan Warriors Vs Warrington Wolves Competition Betfred Super League Date 30/06/2021Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
I’ve never visited the DW stadium, and it was my first venture on my sporting teams to visit.How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I’d recently recovered from some head trauma, so I struggle to remember the journey there, hence a friend drove me there for this one. Seemed easily accessible, with a huge car park at the front of the stadium.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Popped in the chippy beforehand, and made sure that I got a programme. I didn’t really have much communication with the home fans.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
It looks quite a magnificent ground. Probably looks too good for a League 1 football side in fairness. But a great atmosphere for the rugby. The away end wasn’t particularly bustling.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was an absolute trouncing. Wigan Warriors 14-40 Warrington Wolves. However, there was plenty of injuries for the Wigan squad, so probably a bit of a mismatch on this occasion. Facilities were adequate, I didn’t purchase food inside the stadium.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Very easy and straightforward exit from the stadium.Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Good day out. Shame about the result. 9th September 2021 Antony Davies Game Attended Wigan vs. Portsmouth Competition League One Date 28/08/2021Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
Wigan was a ground I had not visited before plus Pompey had made a solid start to the season so I was hoping for a good day out.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The ground was easy enough to find using Google Maps in the car, which took me to a large car park near the ground. There were signs up for fees for match day parking but no one was about so we had a free days parking!
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We grabbed a programme and pin badge from the club shop then (after bumping into "Krusty Pie" the wigan mascot) headed into the bar for away fans in the stadium. Unfortunately due to no music,no TV showing football, slow service and pretty useless bar staff, even though there were about 200 fans in there it was like a wake. I would instead recommend going to the Red Robin as other fans said that place was jumping.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
The stadium was decent, modern and pretty big for L1. The seating was spacious and the concourse was plenty big enough, especially as there were only about 1200 away fans in a stand that could take 4 times that.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game itself was quite entertaining and played in nice sunshine. Pompey bossed the first half but a lack of finishing let us down. Wigan managed a shot on target in the 2nd half which proved to be enough to win 1-0. Unfortunately the atmosphere was pretty poor compared to other games Ive been to in L1. Although Pompey always make noise and had a decent following, it felt lost in such a big stand while the home fans were also very quiet except when they scored and one loud constant drummer. Food was great - a curry pie was the stand out of what we bought.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Due to parking near the exit of the large car park we got away relatively quickly and were passing Boltons stadium and on the motorway about 20 mins after the final whistle.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
If both teams ever managed a return to the Premier league I might return to hopefully sample a louder atmosphere as the stadium and fans we met were great but the overall memory (apart from the loss) is of a big empty stadium and a tepid environment.
18th September 2020 Zac Cohen (West Ham United)1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground?
After years of travelling up and down the nation to follow the hammers, I'd become a fanatic. New football grounds had become an addiction for me and the DW was high on list to go to. The game held special significance for my club – we had to win. If we didn't we were relegated.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The club ran a free coach service for the game, so I was driven from Upton Park to The DW. Ordinarily, I am a train goer and my friends have told me that the ground is easy to get to from the station. Coaches park in a car park one minute from the ground. The journey from London was relatively traffic free.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
Hot Dog stands are situated around the ground and to my surprise, at very cheap prices. A large hot dog was £2 from the vendor outside the away end. Being younger than drinking age means I didn't purchase alcohol from the sports lounge/bar by the car park. I did go inside to use the facilities however. The pub seemed to allow both sets of fans inside.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The view from outside the ground is similar to most modern grounds in all honesty. Simple, relatively clean & generally dull. Once inside the atmosphere was great. It was like a carnival, with people throwing inflatable beach balls around. Once I left the underside of the stand and took my seats, one can see how small the ground is. It is 1 tier all the way round and the stand to ones left is slightly restricted with an advert on the seats separating fans (when the stands aren't joined).
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Final Result: Wigan 3-2 West Ham United
The result was harsh on the hammers, but summed up the season perfectly. Our inability to keep a lead was evident on that day. We were 2-0 up in the first half with 2 goals from Demba Ba. This with the news that Fulham were winning too sent the stand into pandemonium…. temporarily.
Wigan's introduction of Connor Sammon was great one. He scored a tap in, and Charles N'Zogbia scored a free-kick which was destined to fly in. In the 90th minute, Robert Green had a calamitous moment and Wigan had winner. We were relegated. The final whistle blew, and the Wigan fans invaded the pitch taunting us hammers (who had many stewards and police in the stand and on the edge of the pitch to prevent anything escalating), which was a bit annoying considering that Wigan weren't still safe from relegation themselves.
The facilities are basic. The toilets are small, and there isn't a great deal of space in the concourse. The atmosphere was the best I have ever seen (from West Ham), due to the occasion more than the hospitality. Wigan's fans were non-existent until the final whistle had blown.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was slow getting out of the ground itself, but once out of the stadium, one was free to get on the coach which had a police escort to motorway. We were gone very quickly. The only positive of the day in hindsight
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Horrific. That was down to the football more than the hospitality in all honesty. The ground was mediocre to be polite. The concourse is far too small. The programme was decent. The prices of the tickets weren't a rip off, that said, they weren't cheap either. I'd go there again, no doubt. The steward outside the ground are friendly too!
30th November 2019 Alex (Reading)I have never been to Wigan before and it was between two teams scrapping to get away from the wrong end of the table.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?I went on one of the club coaches as the club were offering free travel for this fixture. It took about 5 hours if you include the rest stop but no real issues.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?I got there 2 hours before the game started so I went to a pub just across from the ground. It was showing the early game televised game. Home and away fans mixing with no issues.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
It would be quite easy to miss as it’s quite well hidden but it is impressive. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..The game itself was terrible for the first 70 minutes we went 1-0 down after a scrappy corner was eventually bundled in and went in 1-0 down second half we were better we got a penalty and George Puscas scores it one minute after a clever turn left Wigan defender for dust and fired into the corner then 3 minutes later a cross into the box and there’s Puscas again to get his hat trick reading fans going mad what scenes it was Wigan fans barely made noise apart from a drum to our left but there was no noise from their fans really.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:It was good actually after a quick clap from the players we walked back to our coaches and on our way within 15 minutes
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:Overall a great day out got the result we needed well worth the journey and hope to return soon maybe when both teams do better so there’s more of an atmosphere.
31st August 2019 David Crossfield (Barnsley)I've been to Wigan twice before and it's been a lucky ground for Barnsley in recent years. I wasn't expecting a classic with both teams having a poor start to the season. It would be interesting to see how recently transferred striker Keiffer Moore fared against our new central defensive pairing.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?We went by train via Leeds. The direct Northern Rail train from Leeds to Wigan Wallgate takes over 2 hours and stops about 20 times, but I had a rail voucher so it only cost £7 each for us three adults and £3.50 for the 9 year old . A bargain outing. A few tinnies on the train helped pass the time.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?We went straight to Wetherspoons Moon under Water for lunch with one of our number using the app to order. That's fine except it doesn't give any decent real ale options. A short walk to the excellent Wigan Central for a pint of porter with Camra discount. We didn't see many Reds fans around the town centre. I think most went by coach or car. No problems mixing with home fans. We walked to the ground arriving just in time for the kick off.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
I've been before so I knew what to expect. I'm not a fan of out of town modern grounds surrounded by shops etc, but no decent pubs. The ground is fine. Easy entry via a barcode reader. Decent space on the concourse and good toilet facilities.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..No pre-match patting down by stewards, which makes a nice change. I didn't buy any refreshments, I rarely do. When I saw the Reds line up I was nonplussed. We'd already lost our keeper and centre back to injury the previous week to add to our injury list. To then see both our central midfielders not in the squad had all of us wondering who was playing where. The game ended at 0-0. The stats say it was an even game, but with seven players out injured and a very makeshift line up, Reds fans were happy with a point and a performance showing some passion. This was exemplified by Ben Williams getting sent off for a full-blooded sliding tackle on Lee Evan's towards the end of the game.
The view from our seats in row GG was really good. Leg room was fine and no idiots sitting near us for a change. 1600 Reds fans made a decent noise and we applauded the players off at the end, particularly Dimi Cavare who had been out of favour. The main noise from the home fans came from drummers to our left.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:We walked back to the station for the 17.57 slow train to Leeds, calling at Asda for some refreshments for the journey home.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:A clean sheet and a first away point. A better performance after two really poor games. Wigan is a good away day.
5th May 2019 Brian Moore (Millwall)Last game of a dismal season for Millwall (we even lost at Bolton!). At least it would be over after this!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?Courtesy of EFL, TV, Police and Uncle Tom Cobley kick off times were set as two fingers up to cash paying supporters. A Sunday lunchtime kick off! Train works meant a hastily changed route which got me into Wigan with 23 minutes to do a mad dash to arrive as the game kicked off.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?No time for anything pre-game. A typical end of season atmosphere as a good turn out of over 1,000 Millwall fans watched another abject defeat. The home fans looked equally bored despite the win!
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
It is a decent four stand stadium. Good leg room, good sight lines, no complaints. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc.. End of season dross! The stewards just wanted to get home for Sunday Lunch. The Pies were fine! Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:A much easier stroll back to the station then onwards to Manchester for some decent real ale before heading back to Birmingham.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out: Only mad keen fans suffer this but we love it! 2nd March 2019 Shane (Middlesbrough)We stayed at "The New Charles Dickens" pub overnight with onsite parking, it was only 20 minute walk to the stadium and we bumped into Paul Daniels Jnr (who lives in Wigan but supports Boro) who took us to a few pubs before the game.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?We stopped in nearby Hindley for a cracking breakfast at "The Lunch box Cafe" had a few beers at The New Charles Dickens pub, then a few more at The Bricklayers arms then a few in the Marque Pub at the ground, we met Paul Daniels Jnr and sold him a spare ticket we had (what a lovely fella).
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
It is a nice stadium, with a good bar called the Marque, located at the away end of the ground. It had plenty of bar staff serving, so no big queues. The locals were friendly as well as the stewards and police.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..A very poor performance from Boro, which ended 0-0. Wigan worked harder in my opinion and we were lucky to get a point, Wigan fans all very friendly so no issues walking side by side before and after the game.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:We called in The Bricklayers Arms again, very busy but cheap as chips. 1 pint dark fruit cider 1 pint lager and 1 pint Guinness for £10. Then we hit every pub on the way back to New Charles Dickens, which had a brilliant 60's-70's & 80's night (and we had some very sore heads the next morning).
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:Poor football by Middlesbrough, but a great day and night out in many Wigan pubs. I will definitely return when the chance arises.
22nd December 2018 Paul G (Birmingham City)It was mine and my lads first away game of the season which fell nicely as we had broken up for the holidays and a great chance of a day out together with 4,800 other blues fans and a chance to visit a new ground.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?We went via the club coach which got there about an hour and a half before kick off due to the really slow moving traffic on the road from the M6 to the ground and it being the last Saturday before Christmas.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?We went into the away end bar area outside the ground to warm up as it was freezing. It was already busy beforehand and more and more blues fans were arriving we headed in early to get a pie and check out the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
In line with many new grounds, this one had a bit of a Lego kit look but it was clean looking from the outside and at least the four stands are all individual and not a bowl layout. A brief pat down by the friendly stewards and straight into the concourse with no hassle.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..First thumbs down. They had no Balti pies ready despite knowing there would be 4800 blues fans coming!! Had to make do with a steak pie which after being told how good they were was a bit of a letdown. The guy I stood next to, his pies had pease pudding you could have snapped in two it was that hard. The concourse was busy with a lot of fans so I was glad to get to my seat. As for the game we weathered the storm of the home team and ended up winning 3-0. What was shocking was the really poor attendance from the home fans – to the opposite end to us almost quarter full made for a flat atmosphere banter wise although we enjoyed ourselves. It was too much for one fan who fell asleep after most had left and had people taking selfies with him until he jolted awake and realised he’d been deserted by his mates!
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game: No hassle. Straight to the coaches and back in two hours. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:An enjoyable day out helped by a great result away from home and a clean sheet. Probably not a ground I’d be definitely looking to revisit next season as there’s other to go to but 7/10 and a thumbs up.
19th February 2018 Lee Roberts (Doing the 92)As I am a groundhopper a visit to the DW Stadium had to be done. I have been to Wigan before but not the stadium. Plus add in the chance to see a possible massive FA Cup upset, then this was one game not to be missed.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?I was staying in Liverpool as part of my week up north, so it was only a 45 minute drive to the DW Stadium. Parking was surprisingly easy, being able to park right outside the stadium was a bonus, as it was an evening match parking was only £2, however for a Saturday match I would follow the advice to park away from the retail park.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?I didn’t leave enough time to do anything apart from park up, get to the ticket office to pick up my ticket and then get into the ground, so I can’t comment on pubs etc.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
My first thoughts on looking at from the outside were that it looked a nice ground. Once inside I was proved right, the concourse was big enough to walk around even with a big crowd. Nothing really stood out in terms of design but still by no means a "bad" ground.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..Before the game as a neutral, I was expecting an easy Man City win, how wrong I was. After soaking up City pressure for the majority of the first half Wigan were helped by a red card seconds before the break. Once the second half started it was difficult to tell which way the match would go. Will Grigg then scored for Wigan to send the DW Stadium into raptures. Wigan were able to hold on thus completing one of the biggest shocks in FA cup history. The pitch invasion at the end was interesting to see as well and I personally thought the stewards did their best considering the situation could have turned nasty, however the stewards I spoke to at half time were friendly.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:I decided to hang on for a while after the game to get photos and autographs as well as allowing enough time to let the crowds get away, about an hour after the match I made my way back to my car and was away from the stadium seconds later.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:This is a match that will live long in my memory, an unforgettable match and overall the £15 match ticket and £3 program were worth every single penny.
28th January 2018 Billy (West Ham United)I always look forward to FA Cup games as it is a nice distraction from the league for a while. It also normally brings a different style of football as it is an all or nothing game, and no one wants a replay!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?The journey up from the south was really smooth. The directions provided by this website were very accurate. We arrived about 1:45pm and there was still plenty of parking. Its a fiver a car which I thought was good value.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?Before the game we made our way over to the nearby retail park, just behind the stadium. There is a few chain food places like KFC and Burger King, but we opted to go into ASDA for some pre-match food, there is also a cash machine there too.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
The DW Stadium is a bit plain looking from the outside, but that is nothing new of modern stadia. The away end allowed fantastic views of the pitch. We managed to generate a good amount of noise as we had the whole stand and it was full!
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..The stewards were extremely helpful when we ended up going into the wrong block. They maintained a good sense of humour on what seemed to be a busy day for them. We didn't use any facilities in the ground but they seemed a little bit under pressure with so many away fans. I didn't see anyone have too many problems getting what they needed, as long as they were prepared to wait. The atmosphere was a bit flat from the home side, until they started scoring. Whereas, we were making all the noise until they went ahead! The game was a very one sided affair with Wigan coming out on top 2-0 and as the far better team. The old excuse of "we are concentrating on the league" stuck in all of our minds! There was some top class friendly banter between both sets of supporters which added to the overall enjoyment of the match.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:After reading some reviews about getting away from the ground being a bit congested straight after the game, so we decided to make use of the restaurants on the leisure park until the crowds had cleared. After about 45 minutes all of the car parks had cleared (we were the last car) and it was a fairly simple journey to get out onto the M6.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:It was good to visit another away ground and have a day out with my Father. The game was pretty much as expected once we had heard the team news. The Wigan fans were friendly as were the staff and I hope to see them back in the Premiership soon.
27th January 2018 Elliot Smith (West Ham United)The last time I'd visited Wigan Athletic was the day we got relegated in 2011 by throwing away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2. I was hoping to put that bad memory to rest and advance in the cup was the main reason for going.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?I travelled by train to Wigan North Western and had a 15-20 minute leisurely walk to the ground (after detouring for food first).
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?Turned right out of the station and went into a McDonalds for food then turned back past the station and on to the DW Stadium. No issues with home fans and we were wearing colours.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
The DW Stadium is pretty uniform throughout – four single tier stands in the traditional style of no filled in corners. The steps of the away stand are quite steep so you get a decent view. Only sat briefly at half time so not sure what the leg room would be like for a whole game if sat down – probably okay.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..The g ame started poorly for us – Wigan were the better team – and Will Grigg scored after seven minutes. Cue the stand on our left to sing their "Will Grigg's on fire, your defence is terrified" song. We tried to get behind our team but playing badly doesn't always help with that. Our best chance came just before the break when Martinez won the ball back but we couldn't hit the target. The second half started better, until the stupid red card for spitting five minutes in. Wigan then got a penalty (a terrible decision – the most ball to arm incident you'll ever see) and at 2-0 down with 10 men there was no way back. Stewards were fine – no heavy handedness and it was the most relaxed away ground of the season (even no frisking down on entry).
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:Apart from the fact that a police cordon wouldn't allow us to go the way we wanted to not too bad. A short detour and we were back on the route we wanted to take and we well in time to catch the 17:28 train.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:We played poorly, were knocked out of the cup by a League One team and it was a repeat visit rather than a new ground so, all in all, not a good day.
17th January 2018 Paul Sheppard (AFC Bournemouth)A nice local game for me as I live near Manchester. I also thought we had a good chance of winning too!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?Pretty easy: A colleague of mine is from Wigan so he tipped me off where to park pretty near the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?As it was after work I didn't have time for anything other than meeting my friends outside the ground at 7.30pm.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
I have been to the DW Stadium several times before: I like the ground and the away end but it really lacked atmosphere for this cup replay as the crowd was so small (just under 5,000).
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..An a wful performance from us, summed up by Afobe's horrible miss when we were one nil down in the second half. He had a couple of other chances that could have changed the game and this was pretty much the final nail in his Bournemouth career I'm afraid. Wigan played well and were more committed throughout and deserved their win but we were shocking. As already stated atmosphere poor due to crowd size: the highlight of my evening was the cracking cheese and onion pie at half time.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:Because I had such a good parking spot and the crowd was so small I got away very quickly and easily.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:I have b een to the DW Stadium 4 or 5 times now and usually enjoy it. We were poor from the start and the shocking weather when the match finished summed up the evening. When the half time pie is the highlight you know it's been a disappointing match.
4th November 2017 Stephen Webb (Crawley Town)I left Three Bridges at 08:30 and caught the train to Wigan via London Euston. Arrived around 12:30, including a wait in London for around 45 minutes. We got a bus up to the ground from the station, took about 15 minutes, and part way back after a short walk.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?Had a walk up the High Street for a quick bite in Subway then into the Raven pub which was opposite. This is a nice large pub with a good choice of ales. Plenty of Wigan supporters inside, but must say they were extremely welcoming of myself and my 15 year old daughter, a theme that was continued throughout the day.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
The DW Stadium is a lovely ground, befitting their days in the Premiership. The Away stand was at one end of the pitch and gave a very good view of the game. The rest of the ground was similar.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..The game itself was very entertaining and we went there expecting a rout given our position in the league and recent performances, especially given Wigan's position. After a big surprise going 1-0 up, Wigan slowly showed their superiority and we ended up losing 2-1 after an excellent shot from outside the box. We only took around 170 supporters, we don't travel well, but a home crowd of around 3000 made for a poor atmosphere, though we were told they could hear us singing. We were able to stand throughout the game with no issues with the stewards, who were all friendly and helpful. Food and facilities were ok and not too pricey and staff were very friendly.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:Getting away from the ground was easy, walking through the shopping centre and then getting a bus for the remainder of the journey back to the station. Had time for a coffee at Starbucks in the town before getting the 18:09 back to Euston, Seamless journey and back at home by 10pm.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:One of the best away days I've had. Good easy journey there and back, plenty to do before the game, and the people of Wigan seemed very friendly.
19th September 2017 Alex Compton (Northampton Town)I haven't been to Wigan for a few years and it was my son's first visit to the DW Stadium, this was my lads 48th league ground that he has visited.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?The journey up from Northampton was nice and easy apart from a bit of traffic on the M6 around the Warrington area. Finding the DW Stadium was very easy. The away car park is the furthest away from the stadium and cost £5 but the car parking attendants were very happy and friendly and I felt the car would be safe.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?I d idn't do a great deal before the game due to the time we arrived so we went straight into the ground and we didn't really see any home fans before the game to speak to.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
The DW Stadium from the outside looks really impressive and once inside it was no different. It has that Premier League feel about it and certainly is one of the best grounds in this league.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..The game was quite one sided due to Northampton playing one up front and trying to play for a draw which didn't work. The atmosphere was very quiet apart from the Cobblers fans singing, the Wigan fans did start to make a bit of noise once they scored but the annoying drum that the Wigan fans have in the home section was very irritating. The stewards were great and were having a laugh and a joke with me and my son and even offered to help us put our flags up.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:Due to the attendance being only 7,700 it was fairly easy getting away from the ground. I would imagine that if it were a big crowd it would take a fair while getting away as there is only one road in and out of the ground. We were back home by 12.30am which was good going.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:Apart from the result and the ridiculous decision not to award us a penalty late on in the game we both enjoyed the journey and our experience of the DW Stadium and look forward to our next visit.
7th May 2017 Shaun (Leeds United)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the DW Stadium?
Another first visit and as it was the last game of season with us destined to finish seventh regardless of the result it was a game with no pressure!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Pretty easy. Flew into Liverpool and then drove along the M57/M58 pass the M6 and onto the A577. There's a reasonable amount of on street parking off the left hand side of this road (we got a space of Laithwaite Road).
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As I was driving I didn't visit the Red Robin which is the main pub for away fans near the DW Stadium. We grabbed a burger and chips from a van outside the ground and both the food and the price was okay. Home and away fans were milling around the ground with no bother at all.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
Unusually for a new stadium the DW has no corner areas, just four stands with gaps in between. Other than that the North Stand, where the away fans are housed, is a fairly standard stand. It has an internal concourse up a flight of stairs and then into the stand which had clear views from behind the goal
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
This was the last match of the season and with nothing resting on the result meant that the game was a rather dull affair. With Wigan already relegated a lot of home fans didn't turn up (4,500 away fans making a total attendance of about 15000) however a few die hards over to our left made a surprising amount of noise so at least there was atmosphere. A lot of away fans had brought inflatables to throw around meaning there was as much entertainment off the pitch, as there was on it! Stewards were efficient without being overly friendly.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Easy enough. Was at the M6 junction with the M58 about 20 minutes after leaving the ground.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A good day generally, poor game but at least a goal each for the fans to cheer, sunny and warm, easy parking, what more could you want? (Apart from a win!).
13th April 2017 Tom Bellamy (Barnsley)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the DW Stadium?
This would be the third consecutive season that I have been to the DW Stadium. The corresponding fixture last season ended with Barnsley winning 4- 1 and securing a place in the League One play-offs, whilst Wigan were already crowned the League One Champions outright. However, tonights game would be in sharp contrast with Wigan being second from the bottom of the Championship and Barnsley in mid-table.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
My journey to Wigan, by car, was a slow encounter mainly due to the volume of the traffic along the motorways during the peak time of the day at around 5pm. The fixture itself was the only game being played this evening which was the Thursday before Good Friday. The reason being that because of the Easter Weekend Wigan Warriors, the Rugby League Club who also play at the DW Stadium, were due to play on Good Friday, and so the date of our fixture was agreed by all parties concerned. I eventually arrived in Wigan at around 6-30 pm and instead of going into the official car park at the ground I chose to park just off Robin Park Road which is only a few minutes away from the DW Stadium.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I had about one hour to kill before the game and spoilt for choice in where to go. I could have popped into the Red Robin pub which I walked past on the way to the Stadium, or the 'Marquee' bar which is directly next door to the North Stand where the Away fans are housed, but I decided instead to have a 'Costa Coffee' in the Retail Park Complex opposite the Stadium.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of aw ay end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
Unlike previous seasons I was surprised to learn that once inside the Stadium the stewards allowed us to sit anywhere in the stand. I think this was due to only a few hundred Barnsley fans attending the game. This suited me fine so I sat in an aisle seat halfway up the stand with plenty of leg room and a good view of the pitch. The home fans were fairly quiet making the atmosphere a little subdued even though the few hundred Barnsley fans were singing their socks off.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc.
In the first half the chances for both teams were very few and far between. Wigan had one shot on target which the Barnsley keeper tipped around the post for a corner Barnsley themselves had a shot which went just wide of the post. However, the deadlock was eventually broken just before half time when Armstrong, for Barnsley, tapped the ball home from close range after Ryan Kent saw his own shot come back off the post.
The second half had a different complexion to the game altogether, with Wigan starting the brighter of the two teams and were beginning to threaten the Barnsley goal. Then against the run of play, Ryan Kent, for Barnsley, took the Wigan defence on and hit a low shot from the edge of the area which crept into the bottom corner of the net. With a two goal cushion it looked plain sailing for Barnsley until Wigan made a substitution in bringing Nick Powell on. He made an impact immediately and opened their scoring in the 71st minute by hitting home a free kick which the Barnsley keeper could only parry the ball into the net. Within a minute of the restart Powell pounced again by tapping the ball into the net after the Barnsley keeper failed to gather the ball. Powell's hat trick was completed five minutes later when the referee awarded Wigan a penalty as he himself appeared to have been pushed by a Barnsley defender. He scored direct from the spot to make the score 3-2. Then came a disallowed goal for Barnsley which I think the referee thought their keeper had been pushed, and perhaps would have changed the outcome of the game. Credit to the Wigan players for turning the game on its head and claiming a vital three towards their Championship League survival.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground was relatively easy and no problem at all. I arrived home at about 11.30pm.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I suppose I shall remember this game for many years to come but for all the wrong reasons I'll say no more!
11th February 2017 Bob Davis (Preston North End)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the DW Stadium?
A local game and hadn't been to this stadium since around 2003 when we last played Wigan in the league which shows what different directions both clubs have been following in the last 15 years. So nice to see that we have at least achieved parity again after Wigan rejoined us in the Championship League.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Three dads and two lads made the short journey to Wigan parking up at the Bricklayers Arms on the recommendation of a friend who is Preston supporting resident of the republic of pies. Easy parking on the other side of the canal from the busy Robin Park and DW Stadium with planned ease of getaway for after the game (more on that afterwards).
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As mentioned went into the Bricklayers Arms for a couple of pints and had a decent chat with a group of Wigan fans who explained that Wigan had done so well last season in getting promoted by basically buying any decent player they played against in the January window. They also were surprised at how much tougher the division was on there return hence the lowly position they found themselves in.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
The DW Stadium is not a bad ground but as normal there is not much atmosphere generated by the home stands. On this occasion most of the noise was coming from the 4,700 Preston fans in attendance. The thing I noticed again was how badly the colouring of the seats seem to have faded which is something you sometimes see in some of the newer grounds, perhaps something to do with manufacturer as the seats? One thing very apparent is that the concourse is far too small for a large away following. It seems to me that they have designed this stand with rugby in mind when fans can buy a beer and take it back to the seats whereas football fans have to pile down en-masse at half time in the hope of grabbing a beer. Have to say that it was pretty shambolic under the stand at half time with a scrum for the toilets and pretty dire service in evidence at the kiosks. The fact that they run out of pies just about summed up the concourse experience.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a pretty poor game to be honest with Wigan looking out of confidence and Preston underperforming based upon recent performances. The nearest either side came to scoring was went we were awarded a soft penalty. With away end about ready to to explode at the prospect of taking the lead, Hugill for Preston took the softest of penalties that the goalkeeper could have thrown his cap on. The match finished 0-0 and just about summed up the game with not much quality on show.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Can only be described as frustrating as took about 15 minutes to get out of the stadium due to our seats being near the back and in the middle of a long row. After exiting the ground everybody was corralled on the other side of the canal by the massive amount of Police on duty and then slowly led down to the only narrow bridge that crossed the canal. This lead to a lot of frustration from both Wigan and Preston fans and it took another 25 minutes to get back to the car using this route. It must be said that I can fully understand why the former Wigan chairman Dave Whelan previously complained bitterly about the Policing costs which he was meant to stump up a few years ago. Once back at the car it only took 20 minutes to get back home which was half the time it took to get from my seat to the car!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Poor game, football ground that is more suited to Rugby fans and the over the top Policing at the end means that unless it was an important game I would probably not rush back to the DW Stadium.
17th December 2016 Josh Houston (Ipswich Town)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the DW Stadium?
I was looking forward to this game as Wigan were in poor form before this match so I felt we could take all three points.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
It wasn't too difficult to find the DW Stadium, although could do with some more signage though. We parked in the away supporters car park which cost £5. It was close to the ground which was convenient.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Before the game we went to the retail area near to the stadium and had a look around the shops as there wasn't really much else around the ground. The home fans were no bother and to be honest there weren't that many about.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
The DW Stadium seemed quite a simple design and quite bland looking. The away concourse was quite narrow and a bit disappointing for a stadium only built in 1999.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The stewards were some of the best we've had this season, very friendly and talkative. I bought a meat and potato pie for £2.60 and it was very nice. Toilet facilities were good there was plenty of urinals etc. The stand was very steep which could be a problem for those with walking difficulties. We had plenty of leg room as well (but we weren't planning much sitting).
Ipswich defending was terrible but we got lucky early on in the game, as a result of a soft penalty decision. Brett Pitman scored this but the home side levelled before the break. After half time they scored another which angered us away fans because of the shocking defensive performance. But Pitman got another, and then 20 minutes later McGoldrick got a late winner which meant the tractor boys will be taking all three points back to Suffolk. We sang loud and proud but I did find the drummer in amongst the home fans rather awful sounding.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground wasn't too bad. We waited around for 10 minutes then set off and we were out of Wigan in no time.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The DW Stadium lacked that feeling when you visit a stadium for the first time but it was worth the trip as we won the game.
14th December 2016 Christopher (Newcastle United)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the DW Stadium?
This was my first competitive away fixture following Newcastle United in the away end (I managed to sit amongst the home support for the Football League Cup fixture against Hull a couple of week earlier).
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
It's fairly easy, although I found my SatNav took me through some housing estates instead of more direct routes. It's also worth noting that you need to go to the car park for away fans near the stadium, but not at the stadium.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Not many home fans were around before of after the match. They all seemed to keep themselves to themselves, though people in the area were fairly helpful in general. The Soccerdome in-between the away parking and the DW Stadium let you use the toilet facilities. The chip van outside of the away end has a decent selection and at reasonable prices. There is a few outlets nearby for food as well. Whilst we were there, there was also people selling hats, scarves, and pin badges around the stadium for both home and away fans.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
The DW Stadium is a decent ground for a medium sized club, it's possibly a bit big for the size of Wigan Athletic, but I think the rugby team play there as well who usually have a bigger following. You will likely have enough leg room (if you decide to sit), and the views are unobstructed.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Not the prettiest of games, but Newcastle ran out 2-0 winners. Our atmosphere and support was great, we sang and chanted throughout. There was little Wigan support, there were no songs or chants from the Wigan fans. The only noise from them was someone banging a drum, but for the majority of the match we out sang him and the drum which became was just background noise.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Horrible experience. At Hull the away coaches and most away fans were given Police escorts to the motorway so they never had to sit in traffic. There was no such organisation at the DW Stadium. It took until about 45 minutes after the match for the majority of our fans to even get out of the away car park. After that both sides of the road were dedicated to cars and coaches getting away, however at the end of the road there is a set of traffic lights where both lanes have to filter into One lane making the whole process pointless. A couple of roads blocked off by the Police for 20 minutes or so to get the away fans to the nearest motorway would have been better than an hour or so of gridlock. If possible I would recommend people using another car park for a quick getaway, but bare in mind the retail parks around the ground apparently have time limits and hand out fines.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Being a night time game we never really got the chance to see Wigan or even take in one of the pubs around the ground. However it was a positive result for us, there was no trouble and people appeared to be friendly with reasonable prices for food and drink. The only downside is the organisation on leaving the stadium car parks, after the match had ended.
3rd December 2016 Andrew Keay (Derby County)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the DW Stadium?
I have been to the DW Stadium before and found it to be a good day out. Also it is easy ground for me to get to as I live in Stoke.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I very easy. I drove up the M6, joining at Junction 15 and getting off at Junction 25. From there it is about a ten minute drive to the DW Stadium. As you approach the stadium, turn left by the Pizza Hut and there is plenty of street parking to be found. From this area it is also very easy to get away after the match too.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
From where I parked it was a case of just crossing the road to get to a nice pub called the Red Robin. This is only about two minutes walk away from the DW and welcomes away fans. The pub also serves food, so we had a nice lunch and a couple of drinks. We then went for a wander around the small retail park located next to the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
The DW Stadium is modern but lacks. Inside the concourse is ample with plenty of food and drink kiosks and I must say the toilets are probably the cleanest and nicest of any away ground I've ever seen. The stands are quite steep and the seats a bit tight but the view is excellent.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was no classic. Derby won 1-0, but only because Wigan were so poor. The stewards were helpful and pleasant. Not the usual controlling freaks you get at some games. Overall the stadium lacked atmosphere. This was mainly down to the lack of home support and the numbers of empty seats everywhere.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away was easy from where we parked. Within five minutes of leaving the stadium, we were back at the car and en route. I did note as we walked by that traffic trying to leave the official car parks seemed manic. There was a bit of congestion up to the M6 as you would expect, but we were back home in about an hour so I can't complain.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Again a visit to the DW Stadium proved to be another good trip, with a nice pub and a friendly atmosphere. Plus three points too so all and all enjoyable
3rd December 2016 Martin Plummer (Derby County)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the DW Stadium?
Derby were hitting a run of form and I found myself travelling to more away games this season. I had never been to the DW Stadium or indeed Wigan before.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I went by train and arrived at Wigan North Western. It was about a 15 minute walk to the DW Stadium, which wasn't very well signposted, but I found it by simply following the other supporters!
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I arrived at the ground about an hour before kick off and went into the "Marquee pub" for a Pint. It had no television, but I still found it a nice gesture from Wigan to make an away pub at the stadium.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
I found the DW Stadium a bit lacking in character and a bit boxy. However it was a neat functional ground with a nice rake on the stands. I did however find that the concourse was a bit of a squeeze for the large travelling support.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere was mainly generated by the away support, although the home fans did get their voice together when Will Grigg was introduced in the second half. The game itself was a bit dull, Derby took the lead through a Bradley Johnson header in the first half and held on to it for the rest of the game.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the match:
We walked away from the ground the same way as we came, and found that a section of it was unlit making it impossible to see and leading to a few people falling over. We did however make it back to the railway station were the locals were very helpful.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The DW Stadium wasn't the best away trip I've ever been on, but it was by no means bad, and a win is a win.
8th May 2016 Tom Bellamy (Barnsley)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the DW Stadium?
This was the final league game of the season for both teams. Wigan were already the league champions and Barnsley needed a good result to remain in the play-offs. This would be my second time to the DW Stadium, and I knew it was a good ground.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I decided to take the car this time around having been on the supporters bus before. It was very easy to find and well signposted. I managed to park at the stadium itself at a cost of £5.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
There is a bar beside the away end turnstiles called The Marquee, which serves everything from beer and lager to tea and coffees plus various refreshments. There were stewards on the door who were very pleasant and helpful.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
I was very impressed with the DW Stadium. It's a good size, but so it should be with Wigan being an ex – Premier/Championship side.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a great game from a Barnsley point of view coming out 4-1 winners, and making the play-offs. I suppose Wigan could have played better but they had nothing to play for having been crowned champions.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was very easy getting away from the ground but perhaps that was because the match was played on a Sunday instead of Saturday, so there was only the football traffic to worry about, not the Saturday shoppers.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was a fantastic day out and one which will remain in my memory for a long time.
21st November 2015 Gareth King (Neutral)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the DW Stadium?
This was to be the first time that I had seen a game played outside Scotland. Plus as we were visiting Wigan I was interested to attend a match and see the stadium.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Trains to Wigan seem pretty straightforward on the West Coast Mainline (can speak for other directions), but after that it's a bit of a trek from the town centre to the ground, deceptively longer than you'd think (especially on a cold day!) – I foolishly went to the ground via Miry Lane, crossing the footbridge. But, leaving and heading back through the retail park at Robin Park is a lot easier.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Faffed about in a shopping centre with my other half, visiting the Wigan Warriors giftshop and getting my toddler a Warriors top for less than a fiver!
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
For a smallish ground, it feels a lot bigger. the stands have a decent rake, meaning they are both not too steep and still raising you up enough to get a super view.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere was alright for the level of game (having been to Old Firm games in my time, I appreciate it's all relative) and the stewarding was pretty friendly. I have at times an irritable bowel, so toilets at grounds are a big thing for me – The facilities at the DW were super. As for the game then it was tight with Wigan winning by the only goal of the match.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Crowds flow out easily enough, though you take your life in your hands at the point where the nearby Asda supermarket car park meets the main road!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I was pretty impressed with the DW Stadium and the club and would say it's worth dropping in if in the area.
11th August 2015 Malcolm Parr (Bury)Why you were looking forward to going to the DW Stadium?
This was my first visit to the DW Stadium for a number of years. I was looking forward to seeing how we dealt with the challenge of playing against a team who were two divisions higher than us last season.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The ground isn't easy to find. I would advise travelling fans to give themselves plenty of time. Follow the signs for Robin Park. The stadium car parks aren't well-signposted but there is ample space.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I walked around the vast retail park for a while. There are several food outlets which provide a cheaper alternative to the catering within the stadium. There was no visible animosity between supporters before the game.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
The DW Stadium is large, functional and characterless. The away stand is situated behind one goal. Like the other stands, it is very steep – it may cause difficulties for fans with balance problems. There is ample leg room. The stand behind the opposing goal mirrored ours. The Main Stand was situated to our right. It contained corporate facilities. The stand to our left accommodated the noisier Wiganers. There is little to distinguish one stand from another.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
League Cup games are usually low-key affairs. However, this game was played at a high tempo. Wigan took a deserved lead immediately after half-time but a couple of substitutions changed the balance of the game and led to our equalizer. We won the game via a last-minute penalty. There was an adequate atmosphere but the crowd of 5,600 (including 1500 Shakers fans) wasn't large enough to generate a lot of noise. Stewarding was low-key and friendly. The facilities were modern, clean and well-maintained.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
I was able to get away from the ground fairly quickly. However, there is only one road out of the complex and I suspect it will become very congested when a large crowd is in attendance.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A good day for us. We have an appalling record in cup competitions so any win is welcomed. The DW Stadium needs big crowds to make it into a notable venue.
25th April 2015 Aimee Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers)1. Why you were looking forward to going to the DW Stadium?
It was our last away game of what’s been a really enjoyable season. Just one point from the last three games, came just at the wrong time and had dealt a crushing blow to our Play-Off hopes, so much so that 3 points away at relegation threatened Wigan was a must, and even then may not be enough, depending on other results. The week in the build up to the game had been significant, as Rotherham had been docked 3 points, dragging Wigan right back into the fight for survival. The last time we visited the DW Stadium, we had been relegated from the Premier League, and the Wigan supporters were very keen to rub it in. It led to a brilliant moment at full time, when a lone Wolves fan ran onto the pitch, scattering about 200 Wigan fans (look it up on Youtube).
View Of The DW Stadium From The Nearby Retail Park
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We decided to go on the train for this one, securing return tickets from Wolverhampton to Wigan North Western for £12. The journey, via Crewe and Warrington, took just over an hour, meaning we were in Wigan for just after half eleven. The ground is a 15-20 minute walk from the station. Turn left as you leave the station, underneath a bridge, and follow that road along, past… until you reach an Asda on your right. Go right at the Asda, and you should be able to see the DW Stadium behind a retail park.
DW Stadium Main Reception
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
Firstly we stopped at Burger King, and there was a good mix of home and away supporters in there already. After that we made our way to the Red Robin pub, which was located no more than 2 or 3 minutes away from the stadium. It was jam packed full of Wolves supporters, as well as the Punjabi Wolves group, and the atmosphere was rocking. I went across to the stadium at about 1, as I was keen to greet the players off the coach. The home and away supporters were mingling, with no animosity, despite the amount that was riding on the fixture.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the DW Stadium?
Like a number of stadiums in the Football League, the design of the ground follows a theme in all four stands, so there are few distinct features. The away end is the North Stand, behind the goal. The away fans are given the entire stand, and with it being the final away game of the season, it was full. Some had even arrived resplendent in fancy dress. I felt the 1990s flash before me as the Power Rangers, Buzz Lightyear and Spongebob all walked past to take their seats for the game. The South Stand opposite is pretty much identical to the North, and similarly, the East and West stands are identical, save for a scoreboard adorning the East Stand.
South Stand
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Wigan came out of the blocks quicker, and former Wolves loanee Jermaine Pennant (he of the Electronic Tag) forced deputising keeper Tomasz Kuszczak into a fine save, the Pole pushing a fierce drive over the bar. The majestically named Gaetan Bong was having an influential game for the Latics, capitalising on the lack of width on the Wolves right to maraud forward whenever possible. Fortunately, Wolves had Dominic Iorfa at right back, who was coping admirably. It was with Wolves’ first attack of the game that we took the lead. Scott Golbourne found space on the left, but was brought crashing down by Emmerson Boyce, who was booked. Bakary Sako fizzed in a scorcher of a free kick right onto the head of the prolific Benik Afobe, who scored his 13th Wolves goal in just his 20th appearance. James McClean was having a lively game for the hosts, and he found room on the edge of the area, having wriggled away from Ethan Ebanks-Landell. His shot was wayward though. The final action of the half saw Pennant scoop a free kick a good 10 yards over the bar, much to the travelling fans’ delight.
Wigan again started the half brightly, with McClean twice firing wide from inside the area, whilst at the other end, Afobe thought he had doubled his and Wolves’ tally, only to be denied by a handball decision. Wolves really put a spell of pressure together then, with Wigan’s Scott Carson reacting superbly to flick Dave Edwards’ header over the bar. Kevin McDonald broke forward and curled a low effort towards goal, but straight at Carson. Wigan thought they had equalised, only to have their celebrations cut short by the linesman’s (sorry, assistant referee’s) offside flag. The final action of the game saw McClean receive a second yellow card, following a late clattering of Richard Stearman, who was outstanding for Wolves. The full time whistle was greeted by cheers from the away end, and a general shrug from the home end, many of whom decided to leave, despite the man on the Tannoy pleading with them to stay for “a lap of appreciation”. Clearly the Latics fans didn’t feel there was much to appreciate about their season.
West Stand
The home atmosphere did feel a little flat, and just from looking, I would say the home ends were only half full. There was a group of rowdy Wiganers congregated in the East Stand, exchanging pleasentries with the Wolves fans. The respective League positions meant the away fans held all the aces though, and a chant of “You laughed at us, when we went down. But who the (bleep) is laughing now?” got several airings during the game.
The stewards were very friendly, and I had a beautiful Steak Pie for £2.40. The programme was the standard £3, and included a feature which had been running on twitter throughout the week, in which Wolves fans were asked to name their all-time Wolves 5-a-side team. My fellow supporters came up with a team of Matt Murray, Billy Wright, Paul Ince, Alex Rae and Steve Bull. Not too shabby…
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Straightforward back to the train station, and a simple journey back to Wolverhampton.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The DW Stadium is generally a nice stadium, if a little bit bland, and the great swathes of empty seats obviously doesn’t help the atmosphere. But, having experienced League One last season, the DW will provide one of the better experiences for visiting fans next season. The ticket prices were very fair, the away allocation very generous, and the ground’s proximity to the town centre is certainly a lot better than some.
