Brick Community Stadium

{{Short description|Stadium in Greater Manchester, England}} {{Use British English|date=December 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox venue | name = The Brick Community Stadium | nickname = | logo_image = | image = Wigan athletics dw stadium.jpg | image_upright = 1.2 | caption = | capacity = 25,138<ref>{{citation |url=https://wiganwarriors.com/club/facilities/dw-stadium#:~:text=The%20DW%20Stadium&text=Built%20and%20opened%20in%201999,in%20four%20single%2Dtier%20stands. |title=The Brick Community Stadium |date=9 July 2020 |publisher=Wigan Rugby League Club Ltd |access-date=2023-05-02 |archive-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503034941/https://wiganwarriors.com/club/facilities/dw-stadium#:~:text=The%20DW%20Stadium&text=Built%20and%20opened%20in%201999,in%20four%20single%2Dtier%20stands. |url-status=live }}</ref> | fullname = The Brick Community Stadium | former_names = {{ubl|JJB Stadium (1999–2009)|DW Stadium|(2009–2024)}} | location = Loire Drive, Robin Park, [[Wigan]] WN5 0UH | coordinates = {{coord|53|32|52|N|2|39|14|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=it}} | built = 1999<ref name="jjbw"/> | opened = 6 August 1999 | builder = [[Alfred McAlpine]]<ref name="jjbw"/> | construction_cost = [[Pound sterling|£]]30m | owner = Wigan Sporting Events Limited | operator = Wigan Sporting Events Limited | record_attendance = '''Football''': 25,133 vs. [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in 2008 '''Rugby League''': 25,011 [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] vs. [[Australian national rugby league team|Australia]] in 2001 | surface = Grass | dimensions = {{convert|105|x|68|m|yd}}<ref name="premierleague.com">[http://www.premierleague.com/staticFiles/4f/53/0,,12306~152399,00.pdf Premier League] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214090029/http://www.premierleague.com/staticFiles/4f/53/0%2C%2C12306~152399%2C00.pdf |date=14 December 2010 }}</ref> | tenants = [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] (1999–present) [[Wigan Warriors R.L.F.C.|Wigan Warriors]] (1999–present) [[Orrell R.U.F.C.|Orrell]] (1999–2000)<ref name="Orrell">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/whelan-banks-on-the-wigan-touch-to-transform-orrell-666980.html |title=Whelan banks on the Wigan touch to transform Orrell |access-date=22 January 2009 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |last=Godwin |first=Hugh |date=28 August 2001 |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825100732/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/whelan-banks-on-the-wigan-touch-to-transform-orrell-666980.html |archive-date=25 August 2010}}</ref> }}

The '''Brick Community Stadium''' is a multi-use stadium in Robin Park in [[Wigan]], [[Greater Manchester]], England. It is used by [[Wigan Warriors]] [[rugby league]] club and [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] [[association football|football]] club. The stadium is owned by local businessman, Mike Danson, who owns both Wigan Athletic and the Wigan Warriors.

Built and opened in 1999,<ref name="jjbw">{{cite web |url=http://www.dwstadium.co.uk/facts.php |title=DW Stadium Facts & figures |access-date=8 August 2009 |website=DW Stadium official website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822194903/http://www.dwstadium.co.uk/facts.php |archive-date=22 August 2009}}</ref> it was initially the '''JJB Stadium''' after its main sponsor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/7963855.stm |title=Wigan's JJB Stadium to be renamed |access-date=4 July 2009 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=25 March 2009 |archive-date=21 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221053155/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/7963855.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[UEFA]] matches, it was called '''Wigan Athletic Stadium''' due to UEFA regulations on sponsorship.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/020e-0e8702c36cdc-72d295ab191c-1000--no-separating-high-fliers-wigan-and-rubin/ |title=UEFA Europa League 2013/14 - History - Wigan-Rubin – UEFA.com |access-date=8 November 2013 |archive-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031083007/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2014/matches/round=2000469/match=2012530/postmatch/report/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> From 2009 to 2024, it was renamed the '''DW Stadium''', and from 13 May 2024, it was again renamed, this time as the '''Brick Community Stadium''', reflecting a partnership with a local charity.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wiganathletic.com/news/2024/may/08/the-dw-stadium-renamed-as-the-brick-community-stadium/ |title=The DW Stadium renamed as The Brick Community Stadium |access-date=10 May 2024 |publisher=wiganathletic.com |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521233912/https://wiganathletic.com/news/2024/may/08/the-dw-stadium-renamed-as-the-brick-community-stadium/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The stadium was built by [[Alfred McAlpine]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wiganwarriors.com/club/facilities/dw-stadium |title=DW Stadium: Wigan Warriors |access-date=9 January 2016 |publisher=wiganwarriors.com |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923023026/http://www.wiganwarriors.com/club/facilities/dw-stadium |url-status=live }}</ref> Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors moved into it from their long-term homes of [[Springfield Park (Wigan)|Springfield Park]] and [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]] respectively. International rugby league matches have also taken place at the venue.

Its current capacity is 25,138—seated in four single-tier stands—and its record attendance was on 11 May 2008 when 25,133 people watched Wigan Athletic play [[Manchester United]] in the final match of the [[2007–08 Premier League]] season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wiganathletic.com/history/records-honours |title=Wigan Athletic Records and Honours |access-date=8 October 2019 |publisher=wiganathletic.com |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928120011/https://wiganathletic.com/history/records-honours/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History == === JJB Stadium era === The stadium was built by [[Alfred McAlpine]] and completed in August 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jjbstadium.co.uk/facts/ |publisher=The JJB Stadium |title=Facts and Figures |access-date=2008-07-11| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080328153132/http://www.jjbstadium.co.uk/facts/| archive-date = 28 March 2008}}</ref>

Wigan Athletic had spent the previous 67 years playing at [[Springfield Park (Wigan)|Springfield Park]], and their first match at what was initially called the '''JJB Stadium''' was a friendly against [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]], just before the stadium's official opening.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.11v11.com/index.php?pageID=545&teamID=138 |title=Wigan Athletic: Statistics |access-date=22 January 2009 |publisher=The Football Genome Project |archive-date=15 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615204210/http://www.11v11.com/index.php?pageID=545&teamID=138 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:JJB Stadium logo.png|thumb|The JJB Stadium logo (1999–2009)]]

The stadium's inauguration was marked with a friendly between Wigan Athletic and neighbours [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] – who were then reigning [[UEFA Champions League|European champions]], [[Premier League]] champions and [[FA Cup]] holders – with United's manager [[Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson]] officially opening the stadium.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wigan's JJB Stadium to be renamed|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/7963855.stm|access-date=4 November 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=25 March 2009|archive-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221053155/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/7963855.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first competitive football match there took place on 7 August 1999, with Wigan Athletic facing [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] in a [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] match. [[Simon Haworth]] scored twice, including the first competitive goal at the new stadium, as Athletic won 3–0.<ref name="DWRename">{{cite web |url=http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/DWStadium/0,,10429,00.html |title=The DW Stadium |work=[[Wigan Athletic F.C.]] |access-date=4 August 2009 |date=27 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726003856/http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/DWStadium/0%2C%2C10429%2C00.html |archive-date=26 July 2009}}</ref>

[[Wigan Warriors]] moved to the stadium a month after it opened, once they had played their final home game of the 1999 regular season at [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], which had been the club's home since 1902. After their former ground was sold, the possibility of ground sharing with [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] at the Reebok Stadium (now [[University of Bolton Stadium]]) was presented, but the new stadium in Wigan was chosen instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/print.php?type=N&item_id=697|title=Step Back in Time: Salford (H)|publisher=CherryandWhite|access-date=3 August 2009|date=1 June 2009|archive-date=23 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823062041/http://wigan.rlfans.com/print.php?type=N&item_id=697|url-status=dead}}</ref> Their first game there was a play-off match against [[Castleford Tigers]], which they lost, on 19 September.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/99/09/19/RUGBYL_Wigan_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=castleford&HEADER=CASTLEFORD&YEAR=1999 |title=Wigan 10 Castleford 14 |access-date=22 January 2009 |work=Sporting Life |last=Laybourn |first=Ian |date=19 September 1999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605022021/http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague%2F99%2F09%2F19%2FRUGBYL_Wigan_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=castleford&HEADER=CASTLEFORD&YEAR=1999 |archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref> The Warriors did not lose a competitive match at the stadium in 2001 and 2020.<ref name="jjbw"/> <ref name="RLP">{{cite web | url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/LS0tLS02NC0tLS0tLS0= | title=Match List | access-date=22 January 2009 | website=Rugby League Project | archive-date=10 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110132110/http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/LS0tLS02NC0tLS0tLS0= | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:DW Stadium.jpg|thumb|right|350px|A view of the DW Stadium, from the bridge crossing the [[Leeds and Liverpool Canal]]]] The first away team to win a competitive football match at the stadium was Wigan Athletic. A first round [[FA Cup]] tie against non-league [[Cambridge City F.C.|Cambridge City]] was played there due to City's ground being deemed unsuitable to host the tie. Wigan played in their changed strip and used the away dressing room since it was technically a 'home' game for Cambridge City. A [[Stuart Barlow]] brace secured the win for Wigan.<ref name="DWRename" />

On 7 March 2005, [[Greater Manchester]] police announced that they would stop policing Wigan Athletic matches at the stadium from 2 April. This move would almost certainly have resulted in the stadium's safety certificate being revoked, effectively forcing the team to play behind closed doors. The move was part of an ongoing dispute between the police force and Dave Whelan surrounding £300,000 in unpaid policing costs. The police's decision would not have affected Wigan Warriors, whose games are stewarded instead of policed. The situation was temporarily resolved on 8 March with both sides reaching an agreement that would allow Athletic to play at the ground until the end of the season. Four months later, Wigan Athletic, facing the prospect of playing their home games in the Premier League in an empty stadium, grudgingly paid the money they owed to the police. The club successfully appealed against the payments in court and won damages from the police.<ref name="GMP">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7791618.stm |title=Police match cost appeal success |access-date=20 January 2009 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=19 December 2008 |archive-date=13 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113094405/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7791618.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 7 September 2008, Wigan Warriors revealed plans to take their [[Super League]] Play-Off against [[Bradford Bulls]] to a neutral venue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid=4179 |title=Change of Venue for Wigan Play-Off Game |access-date=21 January 2009 |publisher=[[Wigan Warriors]] |date=7 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616043803/http://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid=4179 |archive-date=16 June 2009 }}</ref> The controversial relocation was forced due to a fixture clash, with a match between football clubs Wigan Athletic and Sunderland to take place less than 24 hours after the Super League match.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_league/article4710185.ece |title=Wigan Warriors must pitch in at Widnes |access-date=21 January 2009 |newspaper=[[The Times]] |last=Irvine |first=Christopher |date=9 September 2008 |location=London |archive-date=5 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905123637/https://www.thetimes.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="home from home">{{cite web|publisher=Engage Super League|url=http://www.engagesuperleague.co.uk/article.php?id=11738|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822195609/http://www.engagesuperleague.co.uk/article.php?id=11738|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 August 2009|title=Wigan triumph at home from home|date=12 September 2008|access-date=7 August 2009}}</ref> Whelan, who controlled Wigan Athletic, refused permission for the Warriors to stage their elimination at the stadium, citing concerns over the playing surface.<ref name="fananger">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/2706578/Wigan-Warriors-forced-to-change-venue-for-home-draw---Rugby-League.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909082414/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/2706578/Wigan-Warriors-forced-to-change-venue-for-home-draw---Rugby-League.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 September 2008 |title=Super League play-off: Wigan Warriors forced to change venue for home draw |access-date=21 January 2009|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |last=Burke|first=David|date=8 September 2008 |location=London}}</ref> The game was relocated to [[Widnes Vikings]] home ground, the [[Halton Stadium|Stobart Stadium]].<ref name="home from home" /> In the same season, JJB Sports announced they would not continue to sponsor Wigan Warriors, leaving them without a main shirt sponsor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid=4084 |title=JJB to Step Down as Shirt Sponsors |access-date=21 January 2009 |publisher=[[Wigan Warriors]] |date=30 July 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wigantoday.net/warriors/Warriors-still-hunting-for-sponsor.4777841.jp |title=Wigan still hunting for sponsor |access-date=21 January 2001 |newspaper=Wigan Today |last=Dewhurst |first=Tony |date=10 December 2008 |archive-date=27 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227013647/http://www.wigantoday.net/warriors/Warriors-still-hunting-for-sponsor.4777841.jp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The stadium's average attendance has increased significantly since its opening in 1999. The Wigan Warriors' average attendance has increased by 32.5% from its first full season at the stadium in 2000, and Wigan Athletic's average attendance has increased by 181.2% from the 2000–01 season. The highest recorded attendance for a rugby league match is shared between three fixtures; the Wigan Warriors' fixture against [[St Helens R.F.C.]] on 25 March 2005; Game 4 of the 2005 Tri-Nations series between [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] and [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] on 6 November; and Game 5 of the 2004 Tri-Nations series between Great Britain and Australia on 13 November at 25,004 each.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/2712|title=engage Super League X 2005 Round 7|website=Rugby League Project|access-date=23 January 2009|archive-date=5 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905123638/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/super-league-x-2005/round-7/wigan-warriors-vs-st-helens/summary.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Tri-Nations2005">{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/4001|title=Great Britain vs. Australia|website=Rugby League Project|access-date=23 January 2009|archive-date=5 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905123638/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/tri-nations-2005/game-4/great-britain-vs-australia.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Tri-Nations2004">{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/2476|title=Great Britain vs. Australia|website=Rugby League Project|access-date=23 January 2009|archive-date=5 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905123748/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/tri-nations-2004/game-5/great-britain-vs-australia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The highest recorded football attendance at the stadium was Wigan Athletic's home fixture against Manchester United on 11 May 2008—the final day of the [[Premier League 2007–08|2007–08 Premier League season]]—with 25,133 fans attending.<ref name="ManUtd2008">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7381807.stm|title=Wigan 0–2 Man Utd|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=23 January 2009|last=McNulty|first=Phil|date=11 May 2008|archive-date=27 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527063251/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7381807.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> This is the stadium's highest recorded overall attendance to date, and was the match where Manchester United were crowned Premier League champions for that season.<ref name="UnitedPremier">{{cite web|url=http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=3052266|title=Report: Wigan 0 United 2|publisher=[[Manchester United]]|access-date=23 January 2009|last=Bartram|first=Steve|date=11 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408091334/http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114%7D&newsid=3052266|archive-date=8 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== DW Stadium era === [[Image:DW Stadium logo.svg|thumb|The DW Stadium logo 2009–2018]]

In March 2009, Dave Whelan acquired a chain of fitness clubs from [[JJB Sports]]. In the process, Whelan used the business to set up a new venture, DWSportsfitness and announced that the stadium name would change to the '''DW Stadium''' in August.<ref name="WiganDWRename">{{cite web|url=http://www.wigantoday.net/wigannews/New-name-announced-for-stadium.5107979.jp|title=New name announced for stadium|newspaper=Wigan Today|access-date=25 March 2009|date=25 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328193943/http://www.wigantoday.net/wigannews/New-name-announced-for-stadium.5107979.jp|archive-date=28 March 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Whelan also announced that at the same time the stadium was renamed, its ownership would pass from himself to Wigan Athletic.<ref name="AthleticOwnership">{{cite web |url=http://www.tribalfootball.com/wigan-chairman-whelan-handing-stadium-ownership-club-251525 |title=Wigan chairman Whelan handing stadium ownership to club |website=TribalFootball |access-date=24 July 2009 |date=18 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090824224733/http://www.tribalfootball.com/wigan-chairman-whelan-handing-stadium-ownership-club-251525 |archive-date=24 August 2009}}</ref> Concerns about the future of Wigan Warriors were arrested in the same announcement, as Whelan extended the lease on the stadium by 50 years for the rugby league team.<ref name="AthleticOwnership" /> Before their match against [[Leeds Rhinos]] in July 2009, both clubs were given the opportunity to rename one stand, with the intention of renaming them in honour to a recognised player from each club's history. The rugby league club were granted the East Stand, which they renamed 'The Boston Stand' in tribute to the Welsh {{rlp|wg}} [[Billy Boston]],<ref name="StandRename">{{cite web|url=http://www.wigantoday.net/wigannews/Latics-and-Warriors-honoured-at.5487118.jp?CommentPage=1&CommentPageLength=10|title=Latics and Warriors honoured at DW Stadium|newspaper=Wigan Today|access-date=24 July 2009|last=Graham|first=Charles|date=23 July 2009|archive-date=27 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727192503/http://www.wigantoday.net/wigannews/Latics-and-Warriors-honoured-at.5487118.jp?CommentPage=1&CommentPageLength=10|url-status=dead}}</ref> As Wigan Athletic had spent many years in the lower leagues it was recognised that most of their players were not known, so the West Stand was renamed 'The Springfield Stand' after the club's former ground.<ref name="StandRename" />

In August 2020 it announced that DW Sports was to enter administration.<ref name="adminbbc">{{cite news |title=DW Sports gym chain collapse threatens 1,700 jobs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53635211 |access-date=3 August 2020 |work=BBC News |date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803135925/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53635211 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that month it was announced that [[Frasers Group]] would buy "certain" assets from DW Sports Fitness for £37m, but would not be using the firm's brand name.<ref name="bbcsd">{{Cite news|date=2020-08-24|title=Mike Ashley buys long-time rival's sports business|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53886990|access-date=2020-08-24|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122070458/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53886990|url-status=live}}</ref>

The match of 8 October 2022 against Cardiff City was controversial when it turned out one goal was bigger than the other. The match went ahead when officials ruled that there was no advantage to either team as they changed ends at half-time.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Wigan-Cardiff played with different-sized goals |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63191733 |access-date=11 October 2022 |archive-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011074312/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63191733 |url-status=live }}</ref> Cardiff won 3–1.

=== The Brick Community Stadium era === From 13 May 2024, the stadium was renamed '''The Brick Community Stadium''', following a partnership with a local Wigan charity, The Brick, which works to address poverty and homelessness. The name will remain in place until the end of 2025; Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors committed to securing a long-term commercial stadium partner for 2026 and beyond.<ref name="WW-09May2024">{{cite news |title=DW Stadium to become The Brick Community Stadium |url=https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/05/08/dw-stadium-to-become-the-brick-community-stadium/ |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=Wigan Warriors |date=9 May 2024 |archive-date=9 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509080221/https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/05/08/dw-stadium-to-become-the-brick-community-stadium/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Structure and facilities ==

The stadium design is based on cantilevered, prefabricated steel roof and terrace structuring.<ref name="jjbw"/> It is an all-seater arena with a [[seating capacity]] of 25,138.<ref name="jjbw" /> The stands are rectangular and both the northern and southern stands have supporting steel girders suspended from beneath the roof. The four stands are of approximately the same height, however the stadium is not totally enclosed, leaving four exposed corners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballgroundguide.com/wigan_athletic/jjb_stadium.htm|title=Football Ground Guide: JJB Stadium|publisher=Football Ground Guide|access-date=9 August 2009|last=Adams|first=Duncan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107113655/http://www.footballgroundguide.com/wigan_athletic/jjb_stadium.htm|archive-date=7 January 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The seats are a mixture of both resident teams' main colours of red and blue. The stadium is fully compliant with safety guidelines for a sports ground.<ref name=facilities/>

The stadium also has facilities and access for up to 90 fans with disabilities, with facilities for partially sighted fans.<ref name=facilities/>

The pitch is large enough to conform with both [[FIFA]] and the standard rugby league requirements, at {{convert|6110|x|5460|m|yd}}. This leaves an in-goal area just {{convert|5|m|yd}} deep for rugby matches. It is mostly made of natural grass, with 2% of the pitch composed of synthetics to provide stability.<ref name="jjbw"/> The ground has irrigation, and an under-heating system to resist icy weather.<ref name="jjbw" />

===Boston Stand (east)=== '''Capacity – 8,238''' The Boston Stand, named after Wigan Warriors legend [[Billy Boston]], runs parallel to the western 'Springfield Stand' along the side of the pitch. The Boston Stand is the largest stand in the stadium, holding an electronic scoreboard and has WIGAN spelt out in the seats and has been occupied by the home fans since 2005.<ref name="jjbw"/>

===Springfield Stand (west)=== '''Capacity – 6,100''' The Springfield Stand, named after Wigan Athletic's former ground Springfield Park contains the stadium's vital facilities; four dressing rooms, benches, a doping control room and a treatment room for the players, as well as four executive boxes, ten radio commentary points and a designated TV studio.<ref name="jjbw"/><ref name="facilities">{{cite web|url=http://www.wiganwarriors.com/MidContent.asp?cid=21 |title=DW Stadium – Facts & Figures |access-date=22 January 2009 |publisher=[[Wigan Warriors]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080502175505/http://www.wiganwarriors.com/MidContent.asp?cid=21 |archive-date = 2 May 2008}}</ref>

===Heatable South Stand (south)=== '''Capacity – 5,400''' The South Stand was named the "Leam Richardson stand" in November 2021, after Wigan Athletic striker [[Charlie Wyke]] collapsed during training after suffering a cardiac arrest. Following his discharge from hospital Wyke praised Richardson's swift initiation of [[CPR]] saying: "...''my life has been saved by the actions of the gaffer [Leam Richardson] and the club doctor Jonathan Tobin..."''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wigan Athletic FC - Update {{!}} Charlie Wyke|url=https://wiganathletic.com/news/2021/december/Update-Charlie-Wyke/|access-date=3 December 2021|publisher=Wigan Athletic FC|date=2 December 2021|archive-date=2 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202190943/https://wiganathletic.com/news/2021/december/Update-Charlie-Wyke/|url-status=live}}</ref> It is used to seat the home fans behind the goal, opposite to the away fans in the North Stand. In January 2024, the stand was renamed as the "Heatable South Stand", for the remainder of the 2023/24, and 2024/25 seasons, as part of a multi year deal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wiganathletic.com/news/2024/january/04/heatable-become-wigan-athletic-s-official-south-stand-sponsor-/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFnXLZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHW2mgbxqVwy-SArk81HZQs3ACTf30qb50csMafG-CsxEzF1vgxaQRO8vGA_aem_gVANsIyN9D8OhfDvlDJaUw|title=Heatable become Wigan Athletic's Official South Stand Sponsor!|date=4 January 2024|publisher=Wigan Athletic FC}}</ref>

===North Stand=== '''Capacity- 5,400''' At both Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors matches, away supporters are situated in the North Stand behind the goal.<ref name="worldstadia">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldstadia.com/stadium/england/jjb_stadium/101.php |title=JJB Stadium |access-date=20 January 2009 |website=worldstadia.com |archive-date=27 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927083835/http://www.worldstadia.com/stadium/england/jjb_stadium/101.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Occasionally, during rugby games which attract low away support, the 5,400 capacity North Stand is closed altogether, and the away fans who attend are put into an alternative stand.<ref name="jjbw"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.awaygrounds.com/wigan-athletic-jjb-stadium/|title=JJB Stadium|publisher=Away Grounds|access-date=9 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822194018/http://www.awaygrounds.com/wigan-athletic-jjb-stadium/|archive-date=22 August 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Attendances ==

[[File:JJB Stadium - geograph.org.uk - 1103642.jpg|thumb|The record attendance at the DW Stadium was on the final day of the [[2007–08 Premier League]], where [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] were crowned champions after beating [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] in front of a crowd of 25,133]]

=== Wigan Athletic FC ===

[[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]]'s success has improved considerably since their move to the stadium from [[Springfield Park (Wigan)|Springfield Park]] in 1999. The club subsequently climbed up two divisions to play in the [[Premier League]] from 2005 until 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/wigan-athletic|title=Wigan Athletic|publisher=[[Premier League]]|access-date=9 August 2009|archive-date=28 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628114139/http://www.premierleague.com/page/wigan-athletic|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="float:left; width:45%;" |- style="background:#c1d8ff;" ! rowspan="2" style="width:80px;"|Year ! colspan="2"|Attendance |- style="background:#ccc;" ! Average ! Highest |- | 2000–01 [D3] | 6,861<ref name="LaticsAttendance">{{cite web|url=http://www.cockneylatic.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86:wigan-athletic-attendance-history&catid=38:club-history-records&Itemid=54|title=Wigan Athletic Attendance History|publisher=Cockney Latic|access-date=25 July 2009|date=9 July 2009|archive-date=22 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822235238/http://www.cockneylatic.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86:wigan-athletic-attendance-history&catid=38:club-history-records&Itemid=54|url-status=live}}</ref> | 10,048 (vs. [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2001–02 [D3] | 5,771<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 7,783 (vs. [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2002–03 [D2] | 7,288<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 12,783 (vs. [[Oldham Athletic F.C.|Oldham Athletic]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2003–04 [D1] | 9,526<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 20,669 (vs. [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2004–05 [C] | 11,155<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 20,745 (vs. [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2005–06 [PL] | 20,610<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 25,023 (vs. [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2006–07 [PL] | 18,159<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 24,726 (vs. [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2007–08 [PL] | 19,046<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 25,133 (vs. [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2008–09 [PL] | 18,413<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 22,954 (vs. [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]])<ref name="LaticsHigh2009">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7978865.stm|title=Wigan 1–4 Arsenal|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=6 August 2009|last=Ashenden|first=Mark|date=11 April 2009|archive-date=14 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414114701/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7978865.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2009–10 [PL] | 18,006<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 22,113 (vs. [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2010–11 [PL] | 16,812<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 22,043 (vs. [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2011–12 [PL] | 18,633<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 22,187 (vs. [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2012–13 [PL] | 19,359<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 24,001 (vs. [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2013–14 [C] | 15,177<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 19,226 (vs. [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2014–15 [C] | 12,882<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 16,347 (vs. [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2015–16 [L1] | 9,467<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 18,730 (vs. [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2016–17 [C] | 11,722<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 15,280 (vs. [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2017–18 [L1] | 9,152<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 19,242 (vs. [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2018–19 [C] | 11,661<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 15,665 (vs. [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2019–20 [C] | 10,592<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 14,819 (vs. [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2020–21 [L1] | 0<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 0 <ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2021–22 [L1] | 10,397<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 20,136 (vs. [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2022–23 [C] | 11,939<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 17,788 (vs. [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> |- | 2023–24 [L1] | 10,955<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> | 22,870 (vs. [[Manchester United]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance"/> |- | 2024-25 [L1] | 9,946<ref name="LaticsAttendance"/> | 15,445 (vs. [[Bolton Wanderers]])<ref name="LaticsAttendance"/> |- |span style="font-size:75%" colspan="3"|PL = [[Premier League]], C = [[EFL Championship]], L1 = [[EFL League One]] D1 = [[Football League First Division]], D2 = [[Football League Second Division]], D3 = [[Football League Third Division]] |} {{Clear}} [[Image:Athletic JJB attendance.PNG|thumb|upright=1.2|Average and highest attendances for Wigan Athletic at the stadium between the 2000–01 and 2008–09 seasons]] Rising success on the pitch has been met with increased attendances. Promotion into the Premier League meant that in their first season of English top-flight [[Association football|football]], Wigan Athletic's average home attendance almost doubled from the season before. Over three times more fans attended matches at the stadium during Wigan's 2007–08 season in the Premier League than had attended in the 2001–02 season when Wigan Athletic were in the Football League Second Division. Wigan Athletic's average home attendance for 2007–08 was the lowest out of all 20 teams in the Premier League, failing to make the top 30 English clubs in terms of attendance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballeconomy.com/stats/stats_att_04.htm|title=Top 30 English Football Clubs by League Attendances|publisher=Political Economy of Football|access-date=25 July 2009|archive-date=12 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112223046/http://www.footballeconomy.com/stats/stats_att_04.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The same season saw the highest ever attendance at the stadium, when 25,133 people witnessed Wigan play [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] on the final day of the season.<ref name="ManUtd2008" />

Wigan Athletic's average attendance was again the lowest in the league for the [[2008–09 Premier League]] season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/stats/attendance?league=eng.1&year=2008&cc=5739|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825011701/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/stats/attendance?league=eng.1&year=2008&cc=5739|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 August 2009|title=English Premier League – Attendance – 2008/2009|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=5 August 2009}}</ref> Premier League attendances fell on average by around 426 per club during the 2008–09 season. Wigan Athletic's home attendance fell by more than this, with their average attendance for the 2008–09 season falling by 633 from the season before.<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /> The highest attendance at the stadium for this season was a match between Wigan Athletic and Arsenal F.C., in which 22,954 people were counted. This attendance was 2,357 fans lower than the highest attendance in the season before.<ref name="LaticsAttendance" /><ref name="LaticsHigh2009" /> {{clear}}

===Wigan Warriors R.L.F.C.===

[[Wigan Warriors]] moved from [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]] to the stadium in 1999 after the end of [[Super League IV]]'s regular season. Since moving to the new stadium, Wigan Warriors' success in [[rugby league]] has seen them win the Super League Grand Final on 6 occasions, the World Club Challenge on 2 occasions at this stadium and the Challenge Cup on 4 occasions.

{| class="wikitable" style="float:left; width:45%;" |- ! rowspan="2" style="width:80px;"| Year ! colspan="2" | Attendance |- ! Average ! Highest |- |align=center| 1999 [SL]{{ref label|EPO|A|A}} | 13,374<ref name="warriors99">Butcher, Spencer (1999), p. 231.</ref> | 13,374 (vs. [[Castleford Tigers]])<ref name="warriors99"/> |- |align=center| 2000 [SL] | 11,329<ref name="warriors00">Butcher, Spencer (2000), p. 213.</ref> | 19,186 (vs. [[St Helens R.F.C.]])<ref name="warriors00"/> |- |align=center| 2001 [SL] | 11,803<ref name="warriors01">{{cite web | url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/Super_League_VI_2001.html | title=Tetley's Super League VI 2001 | access-date=22 January 2009 | website=Rugby League Project | archive-date=5 September 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905123639/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/super-league-vi-2001/summary.html | url-status=live }}</ref> | 21,073 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.)<ref name="warriors01"/> |- |align=center| 2002 [SL] | 10,480<ref name="warriors02">Butcher, Spencer (2002), p. 227.</ref> | 18,789 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.)<ref name="warriors02"/> |- |align=center| 2003 [SL] | 11,217<ref name="warriors03">Butcher, Spencer (2003), p. 227.</ref> | 21,790 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.)<ref name="warriors03"/> |- |align=center| 2004 [SL] | 13,333<ref name="warriors04">Butcher, Spencer (2004), p. 227.</ref> | 20,052 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.)<ref name="warriors04"/> |- |align=center| 2005 [SL] | 13,894<ref name="warriors05">Butcher, Spencer (2005), p. 227.</ref> | 25,004 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.)<ref name="warriors05"/> |- |align=center| 2006 [SL] | 14,464<ref name="warriors06">Butcher, Spencer (2006), p. 201.</ref> | 18,358 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.)<ref name="warriors06"/> |- |align=center| 2007 [SL] | 16,040<ref name="warriors07">Butcher, Spencer (2007), p. 203.</ref> | 24,028 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.)<ref name="warriors07"/> |- |align=center| 2008 [SL] | 13,955<ref name="warriors08">Butcher, Spencer (2008), p. 203.</ref> | 19,958 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.)<ref name=warriors08/> |- |align=center| 2009 [SL] | 14,080<ref name="warriors09">{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/419/Wigan_Warriors/summary.html|title=Super League XIV 2009 – Wigan Warriors|website=Rugby League Project|access-date=8 September 2009|archive-date=5 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905123639/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/super-league-xiv-2009/Wigan_Warriors/summary.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | 22,232 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.)<ref name="warriors09" /> |- |align=center| 2010 [SL] | 15,181<ref name="warriors10">{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/419/Wigan_Warriors/summary.html|title=Super League XV 2010 – Wigan Warriors|website=Rugby League Project|access-date=31 January 2011|archive-date=5 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905123639/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/super-league-xiv-2009/Wigan_Warriors/summary.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | 22,701 (vs. Warrington Wolves)<ref name="warriors10" /> |- |align=center| 2011 [SL] | 17,193 | 24,268 (vs. St George-Illawarra; [[World Club Challenge|WCC]]) |- |align=center| 2012 [SL] | 16,042 | 21,522 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.)<ref name="warriors99"/> |- |align=center| 2013 [SL] | 14,544 | 23,861 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.)<ref name="warriors99"/> |- |align=center| 2014 [SL] | 14,101 | 20,265 (vs. Leeds Rhinos)<ref name="warriors99"/> |- |align=center| 2015 [SL] | 13,980 | 24,054 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.)<ref name="warriors99"/> |-

|- |align=center| 2016 [SL] | 13,281 | 20,049 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.) |- |align=center| 2017 [SL] | 13,669 | 23,390 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.) |- |align=center| 2018 [SL] | 11,648 | 16,047 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.) |- |align=center| 2019 [SL] | 11,432 | 22,050 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.) |- |align=center| 2020 [SL] | 12,222 | 15,040 (vs. Warrington Wolves) |- |align=center| 2021 [SL] | 8,536* | 16,390 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.) |- |align=center| 2022 [SL] | 12,278<ref>https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/every-super-league-clubs-average-attendance-in-2022</ref> | 19,210 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.) |- |align=center| 2023 [SL] | 13,497<ref>https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ranked-every-super-league-clubs-average-attendance-in-2023-as-crowds-rise-with-records-aplenty-broken</ref> | 24,275 (vs. St Helens R.F.C.) |- |align=center| 2024 [SL] | 14,910<ref>https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/every-super-league-club-average-2024-attendance-compared-to-2023</ref> | 24,091 (vs. Penrith Panthers) |- |align=center| 2025 [SL] | 17,088<ref>https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/every-super-league-clubs-average-attendance-in-2025</ref> | 24,294 (vs. St Helens) |- |span style="font-size:75%;" colspan="3"| SL = [[Super League]] |*Covid restricted attendances |} {{Clear}} [[Image:Warriors JJB attendance.PNG|thumb|upright=1.2|Average and highest attendances for the Wigan Warriors at the stadium between 1999 and 2008]] Attendances have generally risen for the Wigan Warriors since the start of the 2002 season, averaging around 14,000 over the three seasons from 2006 to 2009. Aside from Grand Finals, the largest Super League attendance was recorded at the stadium in 2005 when Wigan Warriors played their local rivals, [[St Helens R.F.C.]]<ref name="warriors05" />

This match is also the highest home attendance in the Wigan Warriors' history at the stadium. The twenty thousand mark has been broken 17 times since moving to the new stadium, 12 times against St Helens RLFC, once against local rivals [[Warrington Wolves]] in the opening round of the 2008 [[Super League XIII]] season, and once in July 2009 against the [[Leeds Rhinos]] following a campaign advertising the game as the 'Big One'.<ref name="RLP" /><ref name="BigOne">{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/rugby-league-headlines/Leeds-Rhinos-Wigan-clash-is.5490606.jp |title=Leeds Rhinos: Wigan clash is not the Big One! |newspaper=[[Yorkshire Evening Post]] |access-date=25 July 2009 |last=Smith |first=Peter |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726063510/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/rugby-league-headlines/Leeds-Rhinos-Wigan-clash-is.5490606.jp |archive-date=26 July 2009 }}</ref> The 20,000 attendance mark has also been surpassed in World Club Challenge fixtures against NRL clubs St George-Illawarra in 2011, Cronulla Sharks in 2017, and Sydney Roosters in 2019. In 2010, the Warriors were officially the biggest supported team in the Super League. {{Clear}}

== Other events == [[File:Great Britain - New Zealand rugby league test, 2007.jpg|thumb|The final home Test for [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] against [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]], played at the stadium in 2007]] As well as the fixtures for the two domestic teams, the stadium is a venue for international rugby league. Since the stadium's construction in 1999, it has been an ever-present venue whenever International series have been played in England.

Its first involvement came during the [[2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations|2004 series]], where the home [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain and Ireland national team]] defeated the [[Australian national rugby league team|Australians]] 24–12, with [[Terry Newton]] and [[Andy Farrell]] both scoring in their home town of Wigan.<ref name="Tri-Nations2004" /> The venue was again selected for the [[2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations|2005 series]], and again the match was between Great Britain and Australia—this time the home team lost 6–20—with [[Greater Manchester]] born [[Adrian Morley]] scoring Great Britain's solitary try.<ref name="Tri-Nations2005" /> Both matches were complete sell-outs, each having attendances above 25,000. The match in 2004 was the third highest attendance of the series, coming behind a match at the [[City of Manchester Stadium]] between Great Britain and Australia, and the series final between the same two teams at [[Elland Road]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/43|title=Tri-Nations 2004|website=Rugby League Project|access-date=5 August 2009|archive-date=5 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905123746/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/tri-nations-2004/summary.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In addition to the Tri-Nations, the stadium has also played host to visiting nations during their European tours. Australia played Great Britain in front of a sell-out crowd during the [[2001 Kangaroo tour]], with the home side losing 8–28.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/6878 |title=Ashes Series 2001 |access-date=21 January 2009 |website=Rugby League Project |archive-date=5 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905124241/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/ashes-series-2001/game-3/great-britain-vs-australia/summary.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Australia narrowly defeated Great Britain again in 2003 at the stadium, winning by a margin of four points during their [[2003 Kangaroo tour|2003 European Tour]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/2479 |title=Ashes Series 2003 |access-date=21 January 2009 |website=Rugby League Project |archive-date=26 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926221602/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/2479 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] have also played at the stadium during their tours. In 2002, a try scored in his home town by [[Martin Gleeson (rugby league)|Martin Gleeson]] helped Great Britain to defeat the 'Kiwis' 16–10.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/14407 |title=Great Britain vs New Zealand 2002 |access-date=21 January 2009 |website=Rugby League Project |archive-date=5 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905124141/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/baskerville-shield-2002/game-3/great-britain-vs-new-zealand/summary.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The visitors lost again during their 2007 tour, this time 28–22 in a closely fought game in which Wigan-born {{rlp|sr}} [[Sean O'Loughlin]] featured.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/14125 |title=Great Britain vs New Zealand 2007 |access-date=21 January 2009 |website=Rugby League Project |archive-date=5 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905124142/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/baskerville-shield-2007/game-3/great-britain-vs-new-zealand/summary.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The stadium has hosted the [[World Club Challenge]] four times, in [[2000 World Club Challenge|2000]], between [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]] and the [[Melbourne Storm]] in [[2011 World Club Challenge|2011]] when [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] took on [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/14554|title=World Club Challenge 2000|website=Rugby League Project|access-date=25 July 2009|archive-date=5 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905124143/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-club-challenge-2000/game-1/st-helens-vs-melbourne-storm.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2015 and 2016 when Wigan Warriors hosted the [[Brisbane Broncos]].

In 2025, the stadium hosted the [[RFL Women's Super League|Women's Super League]] Grand Final between [[Wigan Warriors]] and [[St Helens R.F.C. Women|St Helens]].<ref>https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/13435964/wigan-warriors-to-face-rivals-st-helens-in-womens-super-league-grand-final</ref>

===Rugby league test matches=== Since its opening in 1999, the stadium has hosted a number of rugby league internationals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/LS0tMS0tNjQtLS0tLS0tLXkteS0tLS0tLQ==|title=DW Stadium|work=Rugby League Project|access-date=28 May 2015|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110132110/http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/LS0tMS0tNjQtLS0tLS0tLXkteS0tLS0tLQ==|url-status=live}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- style="background:#bdb76b;" ! Date !! Team 1 !! Result !! Team 2 !! Event !! Attendance |- | 24 November 2001 || {{rl|GBR}} || 8–28 || {{rl|AUS}} || [[2001 Kangaroo tour]]|| 25,011 |- | 23 November 2002 || {{rl|GBR}} || 16–10 || {{rl|NZ}} || [[2002 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France|2002 Kiwi tour]]|| 22,247 |- | 8 November 2003 || {{rl|GBR}} || 18–22 || {{rl|AUS}} || [[2003 Kangaroo tour]]|| 24,614 |- | 13 November 2004 || {{rl|GBR}} || 24–12 || {{rl|AUS}} || [[2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations|2004 Tri-Nations]]|| 25,004 |- | 6 November 2005 || {{rl|GBR}} || 6–20 || {{rl|AUS}} || [[2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations|2005 Tri-Nations]]|| 25,004 |- | 10 November 2007 || {{rl|GBR}} || 28–22 || {{rl|NZ}} || [[2007 All Golds tour]]|| 21,235 |- | 9 November 2009 || {{rl|ENG}} || 16–26 || {{rl|AUS}} || [[2009 Rugby League Four Nations|2009 Four Nations]]|| 23,122 |- | 1 November 2013 || {{rl|ENG}} || 34–6 || {{rl|FRA}} || [[2013 Rugby League World Cup|2013 World Cup]] quarter-final|| 22,276 |- | 14 November 2015 || {{rl|ENG}} || 20–14 || {{rl|NZ}} || [[2015 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain|2015 Kiwi tour]]|| 24,741 |- | rowspan="2"| 5 November 2022 ||{{rlw-l|ENG|name=England Women}} || 54–4 || {{rlw-l|CAN|name=Canada Women}} || [[2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup|2021 World Cup]] group stage || rowspan="2"| 23,179 (double header) |- | {{rl|ENG}} || 46–6 || {{rl|PNG}} || [[2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup|2021 World Cup]] quarter-final |- | 27 October 2024 || {{rl|ENG}} || 34–18 || {{rl|SAM}} || [[2024 Samoa rugby league tour of England|2024 Samoa tour]] || 15,137 |}

== Surroundings == [[File:Wigan skyline 2008.jpg|thumb|right|The Wigan skyline, featuring the stadium]] The stadium's surroundings are mostly urban, as it is located in the north of Wigan's Robin Park retail complex in the western suburb of Newtown, on the south bank of the [[River Douglas, Lancashire|River Douglas]], west of the Miry Lane industrial estate. The stadium's car parks are situated around the canal, and can hold up to 2,500 cars.<ref name="jjbw"/>

The main road serving the complex is the [[A577 road (Great Britain)|A49]], running east-bound from the M6 motorway, junction 26, {{convert|750|m|yd}} south of the stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wwp.premierlive.co.uk/football-club/wigan-athletic/map.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930201850/http://wwp.premierlive.co.uk/football-club/wigan-athletic/map.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 September 2008|title=JJB Stadium map|publisher=Premier Live|access-date=9 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://travel.theoffside.com/england/wigan-athletic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307011729/http://travel.theoffside.com/england/wigan-athletic|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 March 2008|title=Travel to Wigan Athletic & JJB Stadium|publisher=The Offside|access-date=9 August 2009}}</ref> Both of the Wigan railway stations, [[Wigan Wallgate railway station|Wigan Wallgate]] and [[Wigan North Western railway station|Wigan North Western]] lie {{convert|1.3|-|1.6|km|mi|1}} east of the stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.managers.org.uk/content_1.aspx?id=10:6030&id=10:5992&id=10:594&id=10:579&id=10:15&id=10:4 |title=North West Regional Conference Venue |publisher=Chartered Management Institute |access-date=9 August 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===Robin Park Arena and Sports Centre=== '''Robin Park Arena and Sports Centre''' consists of two facilities; Robin Park Arena, an outdoor football/rugby and athletics stadium, and Robin Park Sports Centre, an indoor multi-sports facility.

====Robin Park Arena==== {{Infobox venue | name = Robin Park Arena | fullname = | other_names = | image = | location = [[Wigan, Greater Manchester]] | coordinates = {{coord|53|32|47|N|2|39|05|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline}} | built = | opened = | capacity = 1,000 | tenants = [[Wigan Warriors]] (training base; 2019–present) Wigan Warriors Reserves (2019–present) [[Wigan Warriors Women]] (2019–2025) [[Wigan Robin Park F.C.]] (2005–2015) Wigan Harriers Athletics Club (????–present) | caption = }}

Located adjacent to the Brick Community Stadium's South Stand lies the Robin Park Arena,<ref name="Robin Park locations">{{cite web |url=http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/JuniorStripes/0,,10429~1742220,00.html |title=Upcoming Pre-match Entertainment |publisher=[[Wigan Athletic F.C.]] |access-date=9 August 2009 |date=3 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818032618/http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/JuniorStripes/0%2C%2C10429~1742220%2C00.html |archive-date=18 August 2009}}</ref> which is operated by Wigan Warriors and has a seating capacity of 1,000 spectators.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wlct.org/Sport/rparena/rparena.htm |title=Robin Park Sports Centre & Arena |publisher=Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust |access-date=9 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529141857/http://www.wlct.org/sport/rparena/rparena.htm |archive-date=29 May 2010 }}</ref> The arena is mainly used as the indoor and outdoor training ground for Wigan Warriors and also [[sport of athletics|athletics]]. It also houses Wigan Warriors club shop, selling merchandise. The ground hosted the club's [[Wigan Warriors Women|women's]] fixtures until their move to [[Edge Hall Road]] in 2026.<ref>https://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2026/april/02/warriors-women-to-play-first-home-game-at-edge-hall-road/</ref>

The ground was formerly used as a home venue for [[North West Counties Football League]] side [[Wigan Robin Park]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vodkatleague.com/index.php?page=wigan-robin-park|title=Wigan Robin Park|publisher=[[North West Counties League]] website|access-date=9 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822234710/http://www.vodkatleague.com/index.php?page=wigan-robin-park|archive-date=22 August 2009|url-status=usurped}}</ref> and Wigan Athletic Reserves.

In May 2026, the ground hosted an [[RFL 1895 Cup]] quarter-final between [[Widnes Vikings]] and [[Newcastle Thunder]].<ref>https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/widnes-vikings-to-take-1895-cup-game-to-super-league-facility</ref>

====Robin Park Sports Centre==== {{Infobox venue | name = Robin Park Sports Centre | fullname = | other_names = | image = | location = [[Wigan, Greater Manchester]] | coordinates = {{coord|53|32|46|N|2|39|18|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline}} | built = | opened = | capacity = | tenants = [[Wigan Warriors Wheelchair]] (2022–present) | caption = }}

Located across the road from the Brick Community Stadium, The Robin Park Sports Centre is home to [[Wigan Warriors Wheelchair]] team and has hosted the 2024 [[wheelchair rugby league]] [[European Club Challenge]],<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/68698174</ref> in addition to a 2024 international between [[England national wheelchair rugby league team|England]] and [[France national wheelchair rugby league team|France]].<ref>https://www.totalrl.com/brilliant-england-thrash-france-in-wheelchair-international/</ref> The arena will host the 2026 [[Wheelchair Challenge Cup]] final.<ref>https://www.rugby-league.com/article/64796/betfred-wheelchair-challenge-cup-finalists-confirmed</ref>

;Wheelchair rugby league test matches

{| class="wikitable" |- style="background:#bdb76b;" ! Date !! Team 1 !! Result !! Team 2 !! Event !! Attendance |- | 26 October 2024 || {{wrl-l|ENG}} || 66–33 || {{wrl-l|FRA}} || [[Fassolette-Kielty Trophy]]|| 598 |}

== See also == {{Portal|English football|Sports|Greater Manchester}} * [[List of English football stadia by capacity]] * [[List of English rugby league stadia by capacity]]

== Notes ==

{{note label|EPO|A|A}}Wigan Warriors played one match in 1999 at the new stadium after moving from their former [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]] ground—an elimination play-off match against the [[Castleford Tigers]].

== Footnotes == {{reflist}}

== References == <div style="font-size:85%;"> * {{cite book |title=Rugby League 1999–2000 |last=Butcher |first=Tim |author2=Spencer, Daniel |year=1999 |publisher=[[Rugby Leaguer & League Express|League Publications Ltd]] |location=[[Brighouse]] |isbn=1-901347-06-0 }} * {{cite book |title=Rugby League 2000–2001 |last=Butcher |first=Tim |author2=Spencer, Daniel |year=2000 |publisher=[[Rugby Leaguer & League Express|League Publications Ltd]] |location=[[Brighouse]] |isbn=1-901347-07-9 }} * {{cite book |title=Rugby League 2002–2003 |last=Butcher |first=Tim |author2=Spencer, Daniel |year=2002 |publisher=[[Rugby Leaguer & League Express|League Publications Ltd]] |location=[[Brighouse]] |isbn=1-901347-10-9 }} * {{cite book |title=Gillette Rugby League Yearbook 2003–2004 |last=Butcher |first=Tim |author2=Spencer, Daniel |year=2003 |publisher=[[Rugby Leaguer & League Express|League Publications Ltd]] |location=[[Brighouse]] |isbn=1-901347-12-5 }} * {{cite book |title=Gillette Rugby League Yearbook Rugby League 2004–2005 |last=Butcher |first=Tim |author2=Spencer, Daniel |year=2004 |publisher=[[Rugby Leaguer & League Express|League Publications Ltd]] |location=[[Brighouse]] |isbn=1-901347-13-3 }} * {{cite book |title=Gillette Rugby League Yearbook Rugby League 2005–2006 |last=Butcher |first=Tim |author2=Spencer, Daniel |year=2005 |publisher=[[Rugby Leaguer & League Express|League Publications Ltd]] |location=[[Brighouse]] |isbn=1-901347-15-X }} * {{cite book |title=Gillette Rugby League Yearbook Rugby League 2006–2007 |last=Butcher |first=Tim |author2=Spencer, Daniel |year=2006 |publisher=[[Rugby Leaguer & League Express|League Publications Ltd]] |location=[[Brighouse]] |isbn=1-901347-16-8 }} * {{cite book |title=Gillette Rugby League Yearbook Rugby League 2007–2008 |last=Butcher |first=Tim |author2=Spencer, Daniel |year=2007 |publisher=[[Rugby Leaguer & League Express|League Publications Ltd]] |location=[[Brighouse]] |isbn=978-1-901347-18-0 }} * {{cite book |title=Gillette Rugby League Yearbook Rugby League 2008–2009 |last=Butcher |first=Tim |author2=Spencer, Daniel |year=2008 |publisher=[[Rugby Leaguer & League Express|League Publications Ltd]] |location=[[Brighouse]] |isbn=978-1-901347-19-7 }} </div>

== External links == {{Commons category|Brick Community Stadium}} * {{official website}} * [https://www.stadiumguide.com/dwstadium Stadium Guide Article]

{{Wigan Athletic F.C.}} {{Football in Greater Manchester}} {{Premier League venues}} {{EFL League One venues}} {{Wigan Warriors}} {{Super League venues}} {{2013 RLWC Venues}} {{2021 RLWC Venues}} {{Buildings and structures in Wigan Borough}} {{Authority control}}

[[Category:Rugby league stadiums in England]] [[Category:Wigan Warriors]] [[Category:Multi-purpose stadiums in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Football venues in Greater Manchester]] [[Category:Premier League venues]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Wigan]] [[Category:Wigan Athletic F.C.]] [[Category:Sports venues completed in 1999]] [[Category:English Football League venues]] [[Category:1999 establishments in England]] [[Category:Sport in Wigan]]