Lower-league club set to host Huddersfield Giants v Wigan Warriors with request to RFL made

Huddersfield Giants have requested that their Super League game against Wigan Warriors next month be moved to an alternative venue, due to a clash of events at the John Smith’s Stadium.

The game was due to be played on Saturday 14th June, but rock band Stereophonics have the stadium booked for their gig on the same date.

The Giants have contacted the RFL to ask for a change of venue to Dewsbury Rams’ FLAIR Stadium instead of their regular home ground.

The FLAIR Stadium has a capacity of around 5,000 and would be expected to be a sell-out crowd for a Super League game, especially if Wigan Warriors fans travel.

Huddersfield Giants are set to leave the John Smith’s Stadium at the end of the 2025 Super League season as chairman Ken Davy is eyeing up a move to Halifax’s The Shay instead.

Huddersfield Giants’ stadium update

Davy has outlined plans to refurbish The Shay, as currently, the Giants playing at John Smith’s is affecting their IMG grading due to attendance percentages in such a large ground.

Creating a smaller, purpose-built stadium in Halifax would help improve the atmosphere for home and away fans, as well as be closer to capacity crowds.

The plan is to start work on the stadium as soon as the football season is over for FC Halifax Town, who will remain at The Shay and are in the National League play-offs currently, with an aim of reaching the English Football League.

The first step is to install a new pitch, meaning Halifax Panthers would have to relocate their home fixtures for the Championship season elsewhere.

However, it looks like the Giants, FC Halifax Town, and Halifax Panthers will all be playing at the Shay in 2026 and beyond.

In a statement from the football team, they said: “Following discussions with the EFL and the National League, it is agreed that Halifax Panthers and Huddersfield Giants can play fixtures at the Shay Stadium, along with FC Halifax Town from the 2025-2026 season.”