Internet Football Ground Guide - JJB Stadium, Wigan Athletic FC

Contents
What's The Ground Like? Looking Towards The South Stand (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Utmost East Stand (photo) Where To Drink? How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Train Local Rivals Admission Prices Ground Layout Programme & Fanzine Fixtures 2007-2008 Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu
What's The Ground Like?
The JJB 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. Saying that the new JJB is superb, would be an understatement, it is truly magnificent. It is similar in design to Huddersfield's McAlpine Stadium, having both been built by the same company. However the JJB stadium is different in that the stands are rectangular (compared to the semi circular at Huddersfield) and both ends have the supporting steel girders suspended from beneath the roof, rather sitting above the stand itself. The four stands are of roughly the same height and there is an electric scoreboard above the Utmost East Stand, on one side of the stadium. The stadium is not totally enclosed, all corners being open. There is plenty of leg room between the rows of seats and the views of the pitch were excellent. The stands seem to rise up quite steeply and do sit back a fair distance from the pitch. Apparently the pitch utilises some sort of new type of grass - on my visit the pitch was immaculate. The stadium is shared with Wigan Warriors Rugby League club. Top Of Page
Looking Towards The South Stand
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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are located in the North Stand at one end of the stadium. Up to 5,400 visiting supporters can be accommodated in this area. I was thoroughly impressed with the stadium and found the Wigan supporters to be genuinely hospitable and knowledgeable about their football. The stadium has been designed so that even a few supporters can really make some noise, which makes for a good atmosphere. My only criticism was that the ground seemed a bit short on catering facilities, which led to long queues and with no queuing system, resulting in a free for all scrum at the counter! Scott Carpenter a visiting Newcastle fan adds; 'the concourses seemed too small for the large amount of away fans attending on my visit, which led to it being rather uncomfortably crowded at half time'. Of interest outside the ground is Robins Park, where Wigan play their reserve games and athletics meetings are held. There is quite a sizeable stand on one side of the Park, which was better than a lot that I have seen at other grounds around the country. A thoroughly pleasant day out and I would say that it is likely to be one of your better away trips this season. Top Of Page
The Utmost East Stand
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Where To Drink?
The traditional pub for away fans visiting the JJB stadium is the Red Robin, which is only a few minutes walk away from the ground opposite the Cinema Complex. At the stadium itself is the Marquee Bar which is specifically for away supporters to use and also welcomes families. John Heeley from Wigan adds; 'I can happily recommend paying a visit to The Orwell at Wigan Pier before going to the stadium. It is an award winning pub with a good selection of traditional ales and regular guest beers. The food is also good. The pub is situated on the canal side and a short walk from the pub along the canal will take you to the ground. It is also only 5 minutes walk from both the train stations'. Having visited the Orwell myself, I can certainly echo the above comments. If you follow the A49 into Wigan from the motorway, you will pass the pub on your right. The 'Swan & Railway' pub in the town centre, opposite the entrance to Wigan North Western Railway Station is best avoided by away supporters. Top Of Page
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
From The South: Leave the M6 to Junction 25 then take the A49 to Wigan. After around two miles you should pass an Aldi store on your left, before reaching a large roundabout, that is traffic light controlled. Turn left at this roundabout into Robin Park Road and continue into Scot Lane. The ground is down Scot Lane on your right. From The North: Leave the M6 at Junction 26 and follow the signs for Wigan town centre (this road meets the A49) then turn left into Robin Park and continue into Scot Lane. The ground is down Scot Lane on your right. Car Parking: There is a large free car park at the stadium, behind the away end, which costs Ł4. As you may expect though, there is sometimes quite a delay in getting out of this car park after the game, especially of there has been a larger than normal crowd in attendance. Make sure though that you avoid parking on the nearby Retail Park, as parking there is restricted to two hours and I have been informed of a number of fans who have ended up getting parking tickets (Ł50) because of this. For a map showing the location of the stadium click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. Thanks to Steve Booth for providing the directions above. Top Of Page
By Train
Wigan's central railway stations (Wigan North Western & Wallgate stations) are a good 20 minute walk from the ground. So either take a taxi, or break up the journey with a few pub stops on the way! On exiting from either station head under the railway bridge and keep to the right. Follow the road (A49), making sure you stick to the right for around 10 minutes. You should pass the Seven Stars Hotel and then pass under a second railway bridge. The Robin Park complex and the JJB Stadium should then be visible. Turn down Robin Park Road and you are there. Top Of Page
Local Rivals
Manchester City, Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers & Burnley. Top Of Page
Admission Prices
Common with most Clubs, Wigan operate a category system (A, B C) for matches whereby tickets cost more for the most popular matches (category A). Category C prices are shown below in brackets. Home Fans: West Stand - Adults Ł25 (Ł15), Concessions Ł20 (Ł10) Utmost East Stand - Adults Ł25 (Ł15), Concessions Ł20 (Ł10) South Stand - Adults Ł25 (Ł15), Concessions Ł20 (Ł10), Under11's Ł5 (Ł5) Away Fans: North Stand - Adults Ł25 (Ł15), Concessions Ł20 (Ł10) Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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Programme & Fanzine
Programme - Ł3 Cockney Latic Fanzine - Ł1 Top Of Page
Fixtures 2007-2008
For the Wigan fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). Top Of Page
Disabled Facilities
For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. Top Of Page
Record & Average Attendance
At JJB Stadium: 25,133 v Manchester United Premier League, May 11th 2008. At Springfield Park: 27,526 v Hereford United FA Cup 2nd Round, December 12th, 1953. Average Attendance: 2006-2007: 18,159 (Premier League) 2005-2006: 20,233 (Premier League) 2004-2005: 11,563 (Championship League) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of The JJB Stadium
Sam Wood (Leeds United) 7/1/06 Robbie Sargent (Chelsea) 15/8/05 Matthew Abbott (Leeds United) 19/2/05 Lee Roberts (Doing The 92) 25/8/01 Top Of Page
Hotel Accommodation
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. To access their Wigan page click here. Top Of Page
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me and I'll update the guide.

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