Wigan Athletic
DW Stadium
Premier League
Wednesday April 11, kick off 20:00
Tickets
United have got 4,000 tickets in the North Stand. They cost £28 for adults, £20 for over 65s and under 16s.
That is the same price as last year when United got 500 more tickets.
We asked Wigan why there was a reduction. They did not reply.
Irish travel operator Celtic Horizons, which last year sold tickets in the United end, was originally planning to do this year, but wrote to its customers to say it would cancel the trip because of falling ticket numbers.
The firm said it was a police decision, but Greater Manchester Police bosses told us they had no involvement in the decision.
Under Premier League rules, Wigan must provide at least 2,513 tickets.
The club is free to allocate the other tickets as it pleases.
In previous years, it has chosen to give the vast majority of the 5,418 North Stand tickets to away fans.
The application deadline has passed. Ballot results are out now.
TV
The match is not on UK TV, but you can watch it online via Wiziwig or Firs Row Sports. We recommend using Sopcast.
Weather
Expect rain throughout the day with sunny intervals. The temperature will be about 5C/41F during the match.
Travel
Car – £9
If you are driving to the game and using a satnav or an internet routeplanner like the Greenflag one, use the destination postcode WN5 0UH.
The basic route from Manchester is the M62 to junction 10 and the M6 to Junction 25. Continue along the A49. The stadium is well sign posted from the motorway.
Parking – free
There is an away fans’ car park a two-minute walk from the away end. Only fans with match tickets can use it though. It costs £5 per car.
Access is via Stadium Way (turn right off Scott Lane once you’ve passed the leisure complex and Asda on your right).
There are many free parking spots on side streets close to the town centre. but you’re looking at a 20-minute walk to the stadium.
One of the best places to park is a 10-minute walk away from the ground in Lingfield Crescent (WNA 8QA).
Park and follow Scott Lane over the river and then turn left onto Stadium Way and you’ll soon see the away fans’ car park and the DW Soccerdome bar by the away end.
Train – £3.90
At Manchester Piccadilly, buy an off-peak day return ticket for £3.90.
You’ll have absolutely no problem getting there, though there are only four services back.
Manchester Victoria to Wigan Wallgate
From 10:07, direct trains leave at 07, 10, 33 and 46 past the hour and take 40 minutes. Don’t leave after 18.46 else you won’t make kick off.
Manchester Piccadilly to Wigan Wallgate
From 10:22, direct trains leave at 22 minutes past the hour and take 40 minutes. Don’t leave after 18.22 else you won’t make kick off.
It is a 20-minute walk from the train station to the stadium.
To get to the ground from Wallgate, turn right out of the station and keep walking for 10 minutes or so, passing the Seven Stars Hotel.
After that, you’ll pass under a railway bridge and the Robin Park leisure complex will come into view. You will be able to see the stadium from there.
Getting home
Leave Wigan Wallgate: 21:55
Arrive Victoria: 22:34
Leave Wigan Wallgate: 22:27
Arrive Victoria: 23:13
Leave Wigan Wallgate: 22:55
Arrive Piccadilly: 23:39
Leave: Wigan North Western: 23:48
Arrive Leyland: 00:04
Change on to rail replacement bus service
Arrive Victoria: 01:28
Matchday Coach
Thomas Cook Sport is running coaches from Old Trafford but they have sold out.
The Betty Bus has been cancelled due to a lack of interest.
Champion Sport Tours is running coaches to this game, leaving from the Bishop’s Blaize pub in Chester Road at 17:00 and places cost £10 per person.
The coach drops off in Manchester City Centre and at the Blaize after the game.
To book, call 0161 282 1966 or email debbie@mufctravel.com.
500
Quality
Last night was Quality, enjoyed it. Ian your 6/6 in City ballot is surely a exception and not what most Execs got who were successful, it would explain why many Execs were unsuccessful, would United have prioritised Execs who had dearer facilities, how many of this allocation is though to have gone to Execs.
Paul, these execs are in north tier 1 some of the best around. The owner of them has renewed and said when he did he wanted more away tickets. He certainly got them. There all in seperate names in pairs but one guy runs them. I use them for the aways. United amaze me. Gave 4 loyalty pot holders tickets they were very well appreciated.
Ian, that sounds like something the TO have made a note of on his ticket details instead of the norm, I thought that separate pairs under different names would be classed as separate apps anyway, can’t fault where the tickets have gone in this instance, credit to him for helping out regular reds, a hell of a lot of Execs have missed out, people I know have heard of many personally, but more the lower priced Execs so wonder if priority was given based on facility price, with so many Execs missing out will be surprised if United don’t give priority on returns to Execs which would be unfair on SP STHs given the vast difference in chances of success In ballots.
Paul, is safe to say rejected execs and LP will get returns ahead of SP.
Oli, Fully expect that to be case, which will leave nothing for standard pot, I think given the importance of City game and with it being towards end of the season they should try to sort out LP if they can as a lot would have generally attended most games, but think its wrong that the current ballot system and returns policy means a SP STH has no way of enhancing their chances of obtaining a away ticket “officially” Plus for “big games” or lower allocations Execs/LP gain priority on returns which shows these “totally random call backs” are only in place when it suits the club, policy chance wasn’t to make it “fairer” it was simply to try to stop people enquiring about tickets, taking up staff time and a half hearted attempt to make fans less disappointed about being unsuccessful in ballots, even thou the returns policy gives no priority to those who are constantly unsuccessful.
Meant policy change, if TO get any City returns its unlikely to be many anyhow.