⚽ BRICK COMMUNITY STADIUM ⚽

Wigan Athletic FC – Your Complete Away Fan’s Guide

🏟️ ABOUT THE BRICK COMMUNITY STADIUM

The Brick Community Stadium stands as one of League One’s largest and most modern venues, with a capacity of 25,138, making it exceptional for the third tier. Built in 1999 at a cost of £30 million, this purpose-built stadium in Robin Park replaced Wigan Athletic’s previous 67-year home at Springfield Park.

The ground also serves as home to the Wigan Warriors rugby league club, with both teams sharing the facilities under the common ownership of local businessman Mike Danson. The stadium’s inauguration was marked with a glamorous friendly between Wigan Athletic and European champions Manchester United, with Sir Alex Ferguson officially opening the venue.

Originally named the JJB Stadium after sports retailer JJB Sports (founded by Dave Whelan, who later owned both clubs), it was renamed the DW Stadium in 2009 following the launch of Dave Whelan’s sports retail venture, DW Sports Fitness. In May 2024, it underwent its third name change, becoming The Brick Community Stadium and partnering with local anti-poverty charity The Brick.

The name will remain at least until the end of 2025, whilst both clubs secure a long-term commercial naming rights partner for 2026 onwards. The stadium features distinctive cantilevered, prefabricated steel roof trusses supported at the corners, with four single-tier rectangular stands of approximately equal height (30 metres). The four corners remain open, which unfortunately can affect the atmosphere despite the large capacity.

Wigan Athletic’s fortunes transformed dramatically after moving to this stadium. The club climbed from Second Division (now League One) to the Premier League within six years, spending eight seasons in the top flight (2005-2013) and famously winning the FA Cup in 2013 by defeating Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley – the club’s finest achievement.

The stadium’s record attendance of 25,133 was set on 11 May 2008 when Manchester United visited for the final match of the 2007-08 Premier League season. Despite subsequent financial troubles, including administration and multiple relegations, Wigan maintains excellent facilities in League One. The ground sits in Robin Park retail complex in the western Newtown suburb, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and a leisure centre, making it a self-contained matchday destination.

📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS

🚗 GETTING TO THE BRICK COMMUNITY STADIUM

The Brick Community Stadium sits in Robin Park retail complex on the western edge of Wigan, approximately 1.5-2 miles from the town centre. Located in the heart of the North West between Manchester and Liverpool, Wigan benefits from excellent motorway connectivity via the M6, M62, M58, and M61.

The stadium is well-signposted from all approaches and sits opposite Robin Park retail park, offering numerous pre-match amenities. Both of Wigan’s railway stations (North Western and Wallgate) are approximately 20 minutes walk from the ground, or a £6-7 taxi ride. Official car parking for 2,500 vehicles is available around the stadium. The location provides easy access whether driving from the Midlands, Yorkshire, Lancashire, or anywhere in the North West.

🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP

Brick Community Stadium Address: Robin Park, Newtown, Wigan, WN5 0UZ

🚂 BY TRAIN – Two Stations, Both 20-Minute Walk

Wigan bizarrely has two mainline railway stations located practically opposite each other in the town centre! Wigan North Western sits on the West Coast Main Line (serving London, Birmingham, the Midlands, and Scotland), whilst Wigan Wallgate serves trains from Liverpool and Manchester. Both stations are approximately 1.5-2 miles (20-minute walk) from the stadium.

There’s no direct bus service to the ground, so walking or taking a taxi (approximately £6-7) are your options. The walk is manageable and passes through Wigan town centre, offering plenty of pub stops en route!

Walking Directions from Either Station: Exit onto the main road and head west towards Robin Park. The 20-minute walk passes through Wigan town centre. From North Western, walk up Station Road, then follow the signs to Robin Park/A49. Alternatively, cross over to the other station and walk from Wallgate. The ground is well-signposted. Many fans recommend stopping at pubs en route to break up the journey!

Reaching Wigan Stations:

💡 Top Tip: Having two stations is convenient as it provides excellent connectivity! Taxi from either station costs approximately £6-7 (5 mins). If walking, make pub stops en route – The Swan & Railway near the stations is popular, The Orwell, closer to the ground, welcomes away fans with special lunch deals and competitive beer prices. The 20-minute walk is manageable and gives you a taste of Wigan town centre!

🔗 Plan Your Journey: nationalrail.co.uk | avantiwestcoast.co.uk

🚗 BY CAR – Excellent Parking for 2,500 Vehicles

Driving to Brick Community Stadium is straightforward with excellent motorway access. Official car parks surround the stadium with spaces for 2,500 vehicles. The ground sits within the Robin Park retail complex, with additional car parking. Street parking is available in the new housing development on approach roads. This is one of the easier League One grounds for car parking!

Driving Directions:

• From South (M6 North): Exit M6 at Junction 25, follow A49 towards Wigan for approximately 3 miles. At the large roundabout with Asda, take the left filter lane by the superstore heading towards Robin Park. Follow Stadium Way directly to the ground and car parks.
• From North (M6 South): Exit M6 at Junction 26, follow signs to Wigan town centre along A577 for approximately 2 miles. At the large roundabout connecting with the A49, stay in the left lane. At traffic lights (SCS Sofa store ahead), take the left filter lane by the large Asda towards Robin Park. Follow Stadium Way to the ground.
• From East (M62/M60): Join M61 towards Preston, exit at Junction 6 onto A6027 towards Horwich/Westhoughton. Follow A6027 then A58 to Wigan. Join A49 and follow to Robin Park as above.
• From Liverpool (M62/M58): Follow M62 East then M6 North to Junction 25, then as above from South.
• Postcode for Sat-Nav: WN5 0UZ

Parking Options:

• Official Stadium Car Parks: Surrounding the ground with spaces for 2,500 vehicles. Arrive 90 minutes before kick-off for guaranteed space. Charges apply on matchdays.
• Robin Park Retail Park: Opposite the stadium with additional parking. Used for overflow. Free parking, but it gets busy. Nando’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, and other food outlets are here.
• Street Parking: New housing development on the left as you approach the ground offers convenient street parking if official car parks are full.
• Red Robin Pub: Pass this pub on the right if continuing along the approach road – there are additional parking areas beyond.

✅ GOOD NEWS: Unlike many grounds, parking at Brick Community Stadium is genuinely easy! Official car parks for 2,500 vehicles, plus parking at Robin Park retail complex, mean you won’t struggle. The self-contained Robin Park location with shops, restaurants, a leisure centre, and a cinema makes this a proper matchday destination. Arrive 90 minutes early, and you’ll have no problems!

💡 Top Tip: The stadium’s location in Robin Park makes driving very convenient – official parking for 2,500 cars is superb for League One! The retail park opposite has everything you need (food, drinks, entertainment). Follow Stadium Way directly to the ground. This is genuinely one of the best parking grounds in the EFL!

🍺 PUBS & DRINKS NEAR THE BRICK COMMUNITY STADIUM

✅ GOOD NEWS: Wigan offers excellent pub options for away fans! The Orwell near the ground actively welcomes away supporters with special lunch deals. Several town-centre pubs en route from the stations make great stopping points. Whelan’s Sports Bar at the stadium admits both sets of fans. Robin Park retail complex opposite the ground has numerous food and drink outlets. Generally friendly atmosphere with no pub segregation, though discretion is advised with away colours.

🍺 At/Near the Ground

🍺 Town Centre (Near Stations)

🍔 Robin Park Retail Complex (Opposite the Ground)

The retail park directly opposite the stadium offers: Nando’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, Subway, Taco Bell, and Costa Coffee. Perfect for families or those wanting quick pre-match food. Very convenient location!

⚽ Latics Tip: The Orwell is THE away fans’ pub near the ground – actively welcomes away supporters with special lunch deals and competitive beer prices! Whelan’s Sports Bar at the stadium is convenient with good food and sports on TV. If arriving by train, start at The Swan & Railway near the station, then walk towards the ground, stopping at other pubs along the way. Robin Park retail complex, opposite the stadium, has loads of food options. Wigan is generally friendly – no real pub segregation though discretion advised with away colours!

🍽️ WHERE TO EAT IN WIGAN

Wigan offers excellent dining from quick bites to quality restaurants. The town is famously associated with pies – expect excellent pie offerings both at the stadium and around town! Robin Park retail complex, opposite the ground, provides convenient chain restaurants. Wigan town centre (on your route from the stations) has numerous independent restaurants and bars. The stadium food is reportedly very good with pies being the speciality.

🍔 Robin Park (Opposite the Stadium)

🥧 At the Stadium

🍽️ Wigan Town Centre

🍺 Pub Food

⚽ Away Fan’s Tip: The Robin Park retail complex opposite the stadium is unbeatable for convenience – Nando’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, Subway, Taco Bell all right there! The Orwell near the ground does special fans lunch deals. Inside the stadium, DON’T MISS trying the famous Wigan pies or the unique “Wigan kebab” (meat and potato pie with mushy peas and gravy) – it’s what the town is known for! The town centre has quality sit-down options like Franco’s (Italian) or El Gato Negro (Spanish tapas).

🏨 WHERE TO STAY IN WIGAN

Wigan offers decent accommodation ranging from budget chains to quality hotels and spa retreats. The town sits between Manchester and Liverpool, making it convenient for exploring the wider North West. Most hotels cluster around the town centre and major routes. Book ahead for Saturday fixtures. Wigan’s position means you could alternatively stay in Manchester (35 mins by train) or Liverpool (50 mins) for more hotel choice and nightlife. See the Manchester & Liverpool club travel guides for more info.

💷 Budget Options (£50-80 per night)

💷💷 Mid-Range Options (£70-120 per night)

💷💷💷 Higher-End Options (£100-180+ per night)

🏙️ Alternative: Stay in Manchester or Liverpool

⚽ Booking Tip: For basic budget stays, Premier Inn or Travelodge in Wigan offer good value near the action. Mercure Wigan Oak Hotel offers a comfortable mid-range option close to the stadium. For something special, Macdonald Kilhey Court Hotel & Spa offers a luxury countryside retreat. Alternatively, staying in Manchester (35 mins by train) or Liverpool (50 mins) gives you big-city nightlife and far more hotel/restaurant choices whilst keeping Wigan easily accessible for matchday!

🎯 THINGS TO DO AROUND WIGAN

Wigan offers a surprising variety for visitors beyond football! The area is two-thirds countryside with picturesque townships, villages, scenic canal network, and waterways. Heritage sites, attractions, shopping, and entertainment cater to all interests. Wigan’s position between Manchester and Liverpool makes it a perfect base for exploring the wider North West. The town has worked hard to move beyond its industrial heritage and now offers quality visitor experiences.

Major Cities Nearby

⚽ ESSENTIAL AWAY FAN TIPS

💭 FINAL THOUGHTS

The Brick Community Stadium offers one of League One’s premier away day experiences! With a capacity of 25,138, this is genuinely one of the biggest and most modern grounds in the division – a legacy of Wigan’s eight-season Premier League spell (2005-2013) and FA Cup triumph in 2013. The away end holds up to 5,400 fans in a modern single-tier stand behind the goal with excellent views, though typical League One allocations run 2,000-3,000.

The stadium’s location in Robin Park retail complex makes this brilliantly convenient – official parking for 2,500 vehicles (rare excellence in the EFL!), plus Nando’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, Subway, Taco Bell, cinema, and leisure centre all right there!

Transport connectivity is superb: Wigan North Western station on the West Coast Main Line brings London (2h 15m), Birmingham (1h 30m), and Scotland within easy reach, whilst Wigan Wallgate serves Manchester (35-40 mins) and Liverpool (45-50 mins).

Both stations are a manageable 20-minute walk or a quick £6-7 taxi. The Orwell pub near the ground actively welcomes away fans with special lunch deals, whilst Whelan’s Sports Bar at the stadium provides modern facilities.

DON’T miss trying the famous Wigan pies or unique “Wigan kebab” (meat and potato pie with mushy peas and gravy) – it’s what the town is known for! Wigan’s position between Manchester and Liverpool makes it perfect for weekend breaks, combining football with exploring major cities.

The combination of one of League One’s biggest/newest stadiums, outstanding parking facilities, convenient Robin Park location, excellent transport links, and proximity to Manchester/Liverpool makes Wigan Athletic a top-quality League One away day!

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