Warrington vs Wigan set for Super League’s 2027 season opener in Dublin on 24 January 2027

• Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors will play in Dublin on 24 January 2027 as part of the Super League.
• The match will be played at Laya Arena; Sky Sports will broadcast it, with coverage starting at 5.30pm.
• Laya Arena has a capacity of 20,000 and will host the match in front of a sell-out crowd.

Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors will play the first Super League match of the 2027 season in Ireland. The game will be held at Laya Arena in Dublin on 24 January 2027.

BBC Sport understands that the opening match between Super League sides, which will be played in Ireland, is set to be the first time Leinster will host a Rugby League match. Sky Sports has also confirmed that coverage of the match begins at 5.30pm.

According to the BBC Sport, Laya Arena will have a capacity of 20,000 for the match. BBC Sport also says the €52 million total deal is linked to the Dublin Horse Show 2026, with Sky Sports taking the naming rights for €52m (£44.5m).

The match at Dublin will feature a different rivalry between Warrington and Wigan, with the two clubs having previously played in the same fixture at Shelbourne Park in 1934. BBC Sport also says that Wigan have previously played Warrington in the Charity Shield in 1995.

BBC Sport also understands that the key reason for the move is the “growing” popularity of Rugby League in Las Vegas in 2025, while Wigan are also drawn to Catalans’ popularity in Paris. Sky Sports also adds that Warrington and Wigan have been regular participants in Magic Weekend since 2025.

Warrington Wolves chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick said in a comment to BBC Sport that “with this moment” the club, Super League’s rugby league, is “moving forward”. Fitzpatrick added, in a comment to BBC Sport, that the match in Dublin will be a “historic” moment for the rugby league.

Sky Sports adds that Warrington’s match in Dublin will take place in advance of Magic Weekend, which starts later in the same week, 1 week later.

Tags: Europe/Sport/Football