Cans & Megabus – Your indispensable travel guide to Wigan Athletic

Tom Walsh is back with your must-read guide to the lovely town of Wigan!

As 2022 comes to a close, what better way to round off the year than to meet our old friends Wigan Athletic and roundly boo James McClean for earning a wage in the UK despite being… IRISH!!!!!!!

How Do I Get There?

It’s a pretty straightforward drive down to Wigan. Take the A19 and A1(M) junction 42 before joining the M62 heading west. Join the M60 and then leave at junction 15 for the M61, leave at junction 6 and then take a left onto Wigan Road and simply follow the signs to the DW Stadium. Parking is available at the ground for £5 a car, £10 for mini buses and £20 for coaches.

Sat nav losers: WN5 0UZ

For those legends on the train, you’ll either arrive at Wigan Wallgate or Wigan North Western, which happen to be opposite each other. From either, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the stadium.

What’s the Ground Like?

Come on, unless you’re under the age of 5, no-one reading this (if anyone is at all) will be going to the DW Stadium for the first time. We played there twice last season alone! Anyway, it’s a nice enough stadium within easy reach of the town centre and we’ll have a sizeable allocation. Sunderland fans, as always, will be in the North Stand.

Yer thirsty?

There is a fanzone-type thing next to the away end at the DW Stadium which is great if you like drinking overpriced beer from a plastic cup in the cold. Opposite the ground is the Red Robin which is also great if you like to spend your pre-match standing in a queue waiting for a beer.

Your best option is to wander into the thriving Wigan town centre for some liquid refreshment. Swing by the quaint John Bull Chop House on Cooper’s Row for a quiet pint of ale or head up to Real Crafty on Upper Dicconson Street if you want to sample some of the finest craft beer this side of Garstang.

The Raven and The Swan and Railway Hotel (both on Wallgate) are also great choices before walking down to the ground.

What’s happening in Wigan?

Let’s be honest, on a Thursday night before New Year, there’s probably not a lot going on in Wigan. But, hey, you could go to Wigan Pier the day after.