Wigan Athletic visitor guide (JJB Stadium, Latics), England

The £30 million JJB Stadium has been the home of Wigan Athletic F.C since the beginning of the 1999-00 football season; before then the team played at Springfield Park, a ground it had used since its foundation in 1932. The stadium is shared with local rugby league team the Wigan Warriors who play in the European Super League. The all-seater stadium has a capacity of 25,135; it was inaugurated with a friendly match between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United with the honour of opening the ground going to Sir Alex Ferguson.  

The pitch is state of the art, blending natural grass with a 2% synthetic fibre infusion and boasting features such as under-soil heating and irrigation to keep the turf in immaculate condition all year round. As well as sporting events the JJB stadium regularly hosts live music acts, themed nights and dinners in its reception suites and lounges.

Away supporters will find themselves seated in the stadiums North Stand that has room for up to 5,400. A wide range of hot and cold refreshments including pies is available from numerous food stands inside the ground. Beer and other alcoholic beverages can be found for sale in the concourse areas but cannot be taken back into the seated areas; some away fans have stressed that small concourses can get overcrowded at half-time making it quite a task to queue for food and drink.

Food outlets on the neighbouring retail park will cater for those looking for a post match bite to eat.

Despite being a modern ground, there are no JJB Stadium hotels onsite to cater for away fans, the likes of which can be found at bigger clubs such as Chelsea.

Getting To The JJB Stadium

By Car

Whether approaching from the North or the South supporters will find that the ground is well signposted. Those coming from the South should leave the M6 at Junction 25 taking the A49 to Wigan and follow the signs to the ground. When coming from the North exit the M6 at junction 26 heading towards Wigan town centre. Several hotels near the JJB Stadium are located just off the M6. The JJB Stadium has a large car park with space for 2,500 vehicles that should be adequate for all but the highest attendance matches. There is a shortage of alternative parking options near the stadium and fans are advised not to use the nearby retail park as parking restrictions are in place. Supporters staying in hotels near the JJB Stadium may find it convenient to leave their cars parked at the hotel and take a stroll to the ground.

By Public Transport

The two central train stations in Wigan, Wigan Wallgate and Wigan North Western, are a 20-25 minute walk from the stadium. Directions are fairly straight forward from either station; from Wigan North Western turn left after leaving the station and head down the Wallgate road, passing under a railway bridge on the way, from Wigan Wallgate turn right onto the Wallgate road after exiting the station and head down past the North Western station passing under the same railway bridge. Keep walking along the Wallgate road until you reach Robin Park road, head up this road and the JJB Stadium will soon be visible to the right. The journey can always be broken up with stops at a few good watering holes along the way; those not wishing to make the walk can always take a taxi from the centre. The central bus station is located close to the Wallgate railway station. A number of JJB Stadium hotels are close to these stations and well within walking distance of the ground.

Here are football stadiums close to Wigan Athletic: