Wigan lined up to play Catalans in Paris to mark 30 years since first Super League game

[josie andrews]

The occasion is also set to mark 20 years since Catalans' debut in the northern hemisphere's top flight when they beat Wigan 38-30 on a memorable night

Wigan are being lined up to play Catalans in Paris in 2026 to mark a double celebration.

Dragons want to take a game there to mark 30 years since the first-ever Super League game and are understood to be in advanced talks.

Paris St Germain famously beat Sheffield Eagles in the French capital in 1996.

But the date will also mark 20 years since Catalans’ debut in the competition when they defeated Wigan 38-30.

It is believed Catalans plan to stage the game at the 20,000 capacity Stade Jean Bouin which is next door to PSG’s Parc de Princes and Roland Garros.

Ideally, it would be a double-header with two other Super League clubs - or other top French sides - invited for a celebration of rugby league.

Trailblazers Wigan have regularly taken part in such historic events having faced Catalans at Barcelona's Nou Camp in 2019 - a year after taking Super League on the road to Australia for the first time when facing Hull in Wollongong.

The reigning World Club champions are already booked in to play a groundbreaking Super League game against Warrington in Las Vegas in March.

Catalans have big ambitions to help grow their profile - and rugby league’s - across all of France and the planned event in Paris will certainly help do that.

St Helens have confirmed the signing of ex-Wakefield winger Lewis Murphy from Sydney Roosters on a two-year deal from 2025.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... s-33593826

[Caboosegg]

As long as it's a catalan home match.

[The Pearl1]

Amazing news.

[Firestarter]

Wigan globetrotters

[morley pie eater]

The fact that Wigan are the first name to come up on these occasions shows that our club really is "the greatest club in the world". The name Wigan is synonymous with rugby.

However I have some bad memories of that match 30 years ago. I'm not a referee blamer, but I remember Ashley Klein's performance that day, and I'm certain that the RFL had instructed him to make sure Catalans won. If ever there was a predetermined outcome, that was it.

I'm glad we have a successful team in France, and wish Cats well, but the memory of being cheated still grates.

[Nezza Faz]

The fact that Wigan are the first name to come up on these occasions shows that our club really is "the greatest club in the world". The name Wigan is synonymous with rugby.

However I have some bad memories of that match 30 years ago. I'm not a referee blamer, but I remember Ashley Klein's performance that day, and I'm certain that the RFL had instructed him to make sure Catalans won. If ever there was a predetermined outcome, that was it.

I'm glad we have a successful team in France, and wish Cats well, but the memory of being cheated still grates.

No, we were there and we were terrible that day, our defence was non existent and our team lineup was awful with Calderwood missing 2 tackles and Vayaleki also missed a couple led to tries.
Feka and Seyouse couldn’t bend their backs either. Can’t remember our halves that day, but were totally outplayed !
Plus the ref was an Aussie, wasn’t he ?

[Wintergreen]

The fact that Wigan are the first name to come up on these occasions shows that our club really is "the greatest club in the world". The name Wigan is synonymous with rugby.

However I have some bad memories of that match 30 years ago. I'm not a referee blamer, but I remember Ashley Klein's performance that day, and I'm certain that the RFL had instructed him to make sure Catalans won. If ever there was a predetermined outcome, that was it.

I'm glad we have a successful team in France, and wish Cats well, but the memory of being cheated still grates.

It did feel like that at the time didn't it?

[Wiganer Ted]

Play Catalans in Paris on the Magic weekend.
Both clubs can then have their scheduled home games at their own grounds.

[josie andrews]

The fact that Wigan are the first name to come up on these occasions shows that our club really is "the greatest club in the world". The name Wigan is synonymous with rugby.

However I have some bad memories of that match 30 years ago. I'm not a referee blamer, but I remember Ashley Klein's performance that day, and I'm certain that the RFL had instructed him to make sure Catalans won. If ever there was a predetermined outcome, that was it.

I'm glad we have a successful team in France, and wish Cats well, but the memory of being cheated still grates.

We were at that game & we were in the same hotel as the officials. We actually questioned him about some of his decisions especially Calderbanks quick tap 20 metre restart that he made him go back for as he said he wasn’t on the mark! They didn’t have a mark on the pitch then.

He gave me his shirt & signed it. But it was pinched by some drunk Oldham fans who were there, because if you remember their ex coach, can’t think of his name now, was the coach of Catalan but was sacked just before the season started with Michael Waite taking over, think he was head of the RFL previously!

[josie andrews]

Super League set to return to Paris and Barcelona with Wigan Warriors in talks

Super League could be heading to Paris and Barcelona in the next few years, in another expansion attempt for the sport.

Paris was home to a founding member of the Super League, Paris Saint-Germain, but the club was disbanded after just two seasons as they were deemed financially unviable.

The club played at the Stade Charléty, now home to just one rugby team – a union side, Paris Université Club.

Paris also has two top-division sides: Racing 92, at the new Paris La Défense Arena, and Stade Français, who play at the Stade Jean Bouin, which is reportedly the likely venue for a Super League game in 2026.

That would be between Catalans Dragons and Wigan Warriors, as a 20-year commemoration of the Dragons’ founding, as well as a 30-year anniversary of Paris Saint-Germain’s first fixture in Super League, against Sheffield Eagles.

The two sides are reportedly in talks for what would be a historic fixture.

Stade Jean Bouin was home to a friendly between England and France in 2009, with stars such as Richie Myler, Sam Burgess and James Graham featuring.

Super League could also return to Barcelona

Meanwhile, Barcelona has been home to a select few games of rugby league, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys and FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou.

In fact, it holds the record for the highest attendance of any regular season Super League game, with over 30,000 fans at Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors.

With rugby league a major sport in the Northern Catalonia region of France, there may be huge opportunity to expand the Catalans brand throughout Southern Catalonia – which includes Barcelona.

It now seems that the iconic sporting city could also be brought back as a Super League venue in the coming years.

Wigan Today have revealed that early discussions are in place for a game at the renovated Camp Nou in 2027 or 2028.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/super-le ... lks-96568/