On Sunday at 3pm something very unique and strange will happen.
Every phone in the country is set to alert their user at exactly the same time.
This comes as the government tests its Emergency Alert System which targets 4G and 5G signals and alerts users to potential danger in their area such as from weather.
However, this alert will coincide with three Super League games on Sunday as well as the Challenge Cup meetings between Batley Bulldogs and the Keighley Cougars and London Broncos and the Dewsbury Rams.
Wigan Warriors have already taken action to deal with this unprecedented situation moving their game against Wakefield Trinity back to 15:05.
In a statement the club said:
“The kick-off time for Sunday’s St George’s Day clash with Wakefield Trinity will be delayed by five minutes and will now kick off at 3.05pm.
“The kick-off is being delayed as it coincides with the government’s testing of the national alert system that will send an alarm to every mobile phone in the UK with a 4G or 5G signal.
“The short delay will allow supporters to witness a rather unique moment with potentially more than 10,000 phones in the DW Stadium simultaneously sounding the alarm.
“Sunday’s game will see the Club celebrate St George’s Day with lots of fun for all the family lined up at Robin Park Arena in the fan village, before the Warriors look to extend their five game winning streak on the field at the DW Stadium.”
This unique moment of every phone in the ground going off at once will happen during the game as Salford Red Devils host Catalans Dragons with the Red Devils moving their game forward to 14:15 in a double header with the women’s team.
Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants are yet to make a call on what they will do but it is likely the game will be delayed a couple of minutes by this strange situation and that is perhaps true of the Challenge Cup games as well.
