It was a Bank Holiday weekend, and lots of fans enjoy their Perpignan experience.

I think it's a great thing that Wigan do r.e marketing for these games. I think playing a team that will actually bring a decent following would be better for this years though.

I don't; we should be aiming at increasing our home support, not relying on away fans boosting attendance. It's not just a one-off effect we're looking for, it's attracting new fans, or increasing the repeat visits of our casual fans.

With that in mind, we pick what's most likely to be an entertaining game.

wont get as big of a crowd because huddersfield wont take as mant as wire did or leeds plus the concept of playin wire sounds better then huddersfield to a glory wigan fan wether its called "big one" or not

Huddersfield the Big one ?

Bit of an oxymoron to me.

I can't understand the criticism of this marketing tool. Huddersfield Giants is a logical choice for me. The title of 'The Big One' is just for marketing. It bares no relation to the stature of our opponents (we had Warrington last year). We've had it against Leeds and Warrington previously and since then we've seen the attendances in the same corresponding fixture from the following year increase. Games like those now market themselves and wouldn't make much financial sense for Wigan to do it again. Saints is a given as a fixture that sells itself. So who is the only other decent side around at the moment? - Huddersfield.

The whole concept of this isn't solely to boost the away attendance - it's not even a priority. The incentive is to get more Wigan fans through the gate. The fact that the travelling support will be better is a bonus, but not at all too important. We want as many Wigan fans to come through the game as possible. It's interesting to note our average attendance each year has increased since this event and the number of season ticket holders each year has also increased since the event. This could be one of the reasons with people becoming hooked after finding the impetus to come to a game with the cheap tickets on offer in such a big match.



This demonstrates just how effective this marketing tool is becoming. It's a trend that can't be ignored.

Our ability to attract 20K will be a challenge, but this is good. I'm thrilled the club are pushing themselves to get more people through the gate. It's what every club in every sport should be doing. How can you criticise this? Instead of ridiculing this idea we should be getting behind it. Fans have constantly whined in the past about how we should be doing more and now we are they're still moaning! Get behind the club, get behind the event and let's try to reach the 20K.

I personally can't wait for the fixture. Was very tasty last time, two very good sides and a big crowd - what's not to like?

Absolutely irrelevant.

i know the concept of a week/weekend on the costa brava or south of france or a friday night in wigan might seem like a no brainer, but yes there was a few of us in perpignan

Surely the purpose is to improve the attendance of the Huddersfield game not try to beat the Leeds/Wire figures. Hopefully the Huddersfield fans turn out in force which I am sure they will esp if both teams are in the top 4 come game time!

I agree that people shouldn't be having a go at Wigan on the basis that Hudds aren't a big club or don't have a big supporter base. The truth is that there aren't enough big clubs in RL. That isn't Wigan's fault.

The figures you quoted (thanks to Matty B for that) are really interesting, it's only two teams and not a scientific poll, but the year following the Big One seems to show an increase in crowds. This could be a way of making people see the Hudds fixture as a bigger attraction (a lot of fixtures against smaller clubs, even the good sides like HUdds just aren't seen as attractive by more casual fans) and as long as they remain a good side the benefit could be longer term, not simply a big one-off crowd this season.

We should be applauding Wigan for this. IL has talked about aiming for 20k average gates - personally I think that is achievable and think what it would mean for RL's financial health and profile if we and Leeds were doing that, with say Hull, Bradford, Saints and Wire not far behind.

It'd be ace if this game hits 20,000. It really would, because Huddersfield are a strong side who deserve a strong away following. Would love to see a packed DW for the Huddersfield game, I can see Wigan vs Hudds becoming a fixture with a massive impact on any title challenge over the coming years.

Apparently this is expecting to switch to Saturday 25th June at 5:45pm for Sky TV but let the club confirm first.