Warrington and Wigan planning next 'Vegas' style adventure as major hint dropped for 2026 game abroad
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 4:18 pm
Exclusive: Warrington Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick has discussed options for next year's potential blockbuster event with Wigan Warriors.
Warrington Wolves chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick has name-dropped Dublin as a potential location for their next on the road Super League match with Wigan Warriors for 2026.
Dublin had previously been mooted as a potential destination for Magic Weekend, ahead of its confirmed return to its spiritual home at Newcastle's St James’ Park. Speaking to Warrington Guardian at the end of last year, Wolves chairman Stuart Middleton hinted that his side will return the favour with Wigan, with Dublin mentioned.
Now, speaking exclusively with All Out Rugby League, Warrington CEO Fitzpatrick has thrown his support behind the idea: although admits it’s among a ‘few different options’ for the two Super League giants.
Wigan and Warrington made history in Las Vegas earlier this month, with the first match in the United States and joining the NRL’s blockbuster event in Sin City, with around 11,000 fans from England having made the journey. The northern hemisphere competition is set to return to Allegiant Stadium next year with two new teams, while Warrington and Wigan continue to work together to create more memories with matches abroad.
Fitzpatrick said: “We’ve got an unbelievable relationship with Wigan on all levels. We’re very much aligned in terms of where we want to take this sport, so we have got a joint-venture.
We’re looking at a few different options for next year. Dublin could be one, which is a lot more economical [than Las Vegas], I think it could be a great fit with a game over there.
“There may be some other opportunities elsewhere, but I think there’s a nice vibe about going to Dublin for Super League fans to go over there.
“That could be an option, but we’ll have a look and see what fits. It’ll have to work in the calendar as well, but we’re looking to take a game on the road next year, all being well.
It’s giving our fans, Wigan fans, rugby league fans, a reason to go to new places and enjoy themselves and enjoy an event.”
The Aviva Stadium, also known as Dublin Arena, could be a potential venue with a capacity of 51,000. Meanwhile, Rugby League Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones recently revealed that more Super League sides are set to take games on the road in the near-future. Among those, Catalans Dragons are in talks to stage a match in Paris next year, likely to be at the Stade Jean Bouin and against Wigan Warriors, as a celebration of 30 years since the first Super League match between Paris St Germain and Sheffield Eagles.
Then in 2027 or 2028, the Perpignan-based side could return to Barcelona - where the Dragons attracted a record Super League crowd for a single match in 2019 against Wigan.
https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/new ... 48a1cfd938
Warrington Wolves chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick has name-dropped Dublin as a potential location for their next on the road Super League match with Wigan Warriors for 2026.
Dublin had previously been mooted as a potential destination for Magic Weekend, ahead of its confirmed return to its spiritual home at Newcastle's St James’ Park. Speaking to Warrington Guardian at the end of last year, Wolves chairman Stuart Middleton hinted that his side will return the favour with Wigan, with Dublin mentioned.
Now, speaking exclusively with All Out Rugby League, Warrington CEO Fitzpatrick has thrown his support behind the idea: although admits it’s among a ‘few different options’ for the two Super League giants.
Wigan and Warrington made history in Las Vegas earlier this month, with the first match in the United States and joining the NRL’s blockbuster event in Sin City, with around 11,000 fans from England having made the journey. The northern hemisphere competition is set to return to Allegiant Stadium next year with two new teams, while Warrington and Wigan continue to work together to create more memories with matches abroad.
Fitzpatrick said: “We’ve got an unbelievable relationship with Wigan on all levels. We’re very much aligned in terms of where we want to take this sport, so we have got a joint-venture.
We’re looking at a few different options for next year. Dublin could be one, which is a lot more economical [than Las Vegas], I think it could be a great fit with a game over there.
“There may be some other opportunities elsewhere, but I think there’s a nice vibe about going to Dublin for Super League fans to go over there.
“That could be an option, but we’ll have a look and see what fits. It’ll have to work in the calendar as well, but we’re looking to take a game on the road next year, all being well.
It’s giving our fans, Wigan fans, rugby league fans, a reason to go to new places and enjoy themselves and enjoy an event.”
The Aviva Stadium, also known as Dublin Arena, could be a potential venue with a capacity of 51,000. Meanwhile, Rugby League Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones recently revealed that more Super League sides are set to take games on the road in the near-future. Among those, Catalans Dragons are in talks to stage a match in Paris next year, likely to be at the Stade Jean Bouin and against Wigan Warriors, as a celebration of 30 years since the first Super League match between Paris St Germain and Sheffield Eagles.
Then in 2027 or 2028, the Perpignan-based side could return to Barcelona - where the Dragons attracted a record Super League crowd for a single match in 2019 against Wigan.
https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/new ... 48a1cfd938
