Wigan Warriors close to sell-out for World Club Challenge

Wigan Warriors take on Penrith Panthers to contest the World Club Challenge on February 24th with the Super League champions set for a sell-out crowd at the DW Stadium.

Ever since it was confirmed that NRL champions Penrith would travel to England to take part in the game there has been a buzz around the sport of rugby league, not simply Wigan.

Following their shock defeat to St Helens in their own backyard in 2023 there is a huge weight of pressure on Penrith with the three-time consecutive NRL champions still looking to lift their first-ever World Club Challenge trophy.

For Wigan Warriors it could be their fifth, which would tie them with the most wins in the competition alongside Sydney Roosters, and Matt Peet’s side are certain to be well-supported.

That’s because the club have confirmed that they have sold a whopping 23,000 tickets already, still a month out from the game, with the South Stand having sold out completely.

It highlights the incredible support that Wigan have but also the pull that such a big game has. When the best play the best, the fans turn up. Perhaps international rugby league could learn a lesson or two from that.

🏟 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙊𝙪𝙩

Tickets for the Betfred World Club Challenge are now sold out in the South Stand.

🎟 Secure your seat 👉 https://t.co/2uj9vQO7Id#WWRL #WorldClubChallenge pic.twitter.com/zfPsu90652

— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 17, 2024

When is the World Club Challenge?

The game is set to take place on Saturday, February 24th and will be part of an evening of rugby league coverage on Sky Sports meaning that those who can’t get their hands on a ticket can still watch the game.

Wigan and Penrith kick off at 8:00 pm but at 5:30 pm that day Huddersfield Giants host St Helens on Sky Sports Arena and fans won’t even have to change the channel with build-up and coverage of Wigan and Penrith following on immediately.

It was confirmed in late November that Penrith would make the trip to England to play in the game with Wigan Warriors confirming the news via their website.

Club legend and Chief Executive Kris Radlinski explained: “This presents a fantastic opportunity for our Club to host one of the NRL’s most formidable teams, providing a special treat for Wigan fans and Rugby League enthusiasts alike. Anticipation is high and we promise to put on a show.”

Meanwhile RL Commercial Managin Director, Rhodri Jones, said: “It promises to be a very special night, with Penrith determined to be crowned World Club Champions for the first time, and Wigan are looking to extend their wonderful history in the World Club Challenge stretching back almost four decades, including a previous victory against the Panthers.”

Can Wigan Warriors win the World Club Challenge?

It will be an incredibly tough ask for Wigan to win the title however they’ll take inspiration from the success of St Helens 12 months ago, plus they’ll have the added benefit of playing at home in front of what will likely be a sold-out DW Stadium.

There’s no doubting Penrith’s brilliance and they’re slated to have half-back Jarome Luai back after the star man went through shoulder surgery after the Panthers’ Grand Final win.

That was a game where the magic man Nathan Cleary came to the fore putting on a rugby league masterclass in the final 25 minutes to help his side get over the line, impressing so much that many fans even forgot that Brisbane Broncos’ Ezra Mam had scored a hatrick in a superb performance of his own.

However, Wigan certainly shouldn’t be ruled out. They were far and away the most consistent team in Super League in 2023 and they’ve added to their squad with heaps of quality.

The loss of Toby King who returned to parent club Warrington is a big one but in Adam Keighran they’ve signed a Dream Team centre who excels at goal-kicking too.

That could relieve pressure off Harry Smith who had an excellent Grand Final and end-of-season international series for England, the 23-year-old seemingly coming into his own, late in 2023.

Additions such as Kruise Leeming and Luke Thompson bring experience to the side whilst the signing of Sam Walters from Leeds Rhinos could even be the best business of them all.

The bookmakers have Wigan Warriors as outsiders, priced at 11/8 and as four-point underdogs, but they should not be written off at all.