Wigan reveal unique new name for their stadium but with a heartwarming reason behind it

Wigan Athletic reveal a unique new name for their stadium from Monday the 13th of May 2024, but with a heartwarming reason behind it.

The DW Stadium has officially been rebranded as The Brick Community Stadium, in collaboration with the local charity, The Brick.

The new name is set to be retained until the conclusion of 2025, as both Wigan Warriors and Wigan Athletic strive to find a sustainable, long-term commercial stadium partner for the years beyond 2026.

🤝 Wigan Athletic & @WiganWarriorsRL are delighted to announce the DW Stadium will officially be renamed as The Brick Community Stadium from Monday 13 May 2024…

Full details 👇#wafc 🔵⚪️ | @TheBrickWigan

— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) May 8, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT:

WIGAN ATHLETIC AND WIGAN WARRIORS ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE DW STADIUM WILL OFFICIALLY BECOME THE BRICK COMMUNITY STADIUM FROM MONDAY 13 MAY 2024.

The DW Stadium will be renamed as the Brick Community Stadium from Monday 13 May 2024

The renaming of the town’s historic multi-sports stadium is in partnership with local charity, The Brick.

The name will initially remain in place until the end of 2025. Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors will continue to work together to secure a long-term commercial stadium partner for 2026 and beyond.

Wigan Athletic Chairman, Ben Goodburn: “The Stadium is a spiritual home for so many of our loyal fans across both clubs, many of whom will have been, in some way, impacted by the positive work of The Brick.”

Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors are delighted to announce that the DW Stadium will officially become The Brick Community Stadium from Monday 13 May 2024.

The renaming of Wigan’s historic multi-sports stadium is in partnership with local charity, The Brick, whose work began over 100 years ago to improve the lives of those in the town most in need. 

The Brick delivers effective solutions to address poverty and homelessness across the Wigan and Leigh Borough, providing supported and emergency accommodation services, street outreach services, wrap-around person-led support, a food community, and affordable furniture and essential household items to make a house a home.

The inspirational charity, which was Latics’ Official Charity Partner in both 2017/18 and 2018/19, has a long-standing affiliation with the Football Club, collectively raising much-needed funds to help people who are homeless, in poverty, or facing a debt crisis. 

The name will initially remain in place until the end of 2025 with further support for local charities to be announced in the coming weeks. Both clubs will also continue to work together to secure a long-term commercial stadium partner for 2026 and beyond.

In addition to the name change, both clubs will be working closely with The Brick to explore ways in which the partnership can be developed to have a positive impact on the town.

Both Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors are grateful for the contribution of Dave Whelan to both clubs since he became involved with Wigan Athletic in 1995 and Wigan Warriors in 1997. His statue continues to take pride of place at the front of the West Stand Reception.

The new ownership recognises that it is the people of the town who are at the heart of the community and who are the driving force of both clubs who will continue to integrate through the Wigan Athletic Community Trust and Wigan Warriors Community Foundation.

Wigan Athletic Chairman, Ben Goodburn said:

“Day-to-day, The Brick has been delivering inspirational work and making a real difference to the lives of people in Wigan for over a century.

“The Stadium is a spiritual home for so many of our loyal fans across both clubs, many of whom will have been, in some way, impacted by the positive work of The Brick. As an ownership group, we are hugely passionate about serving and supporting our local community as we look to help make a positive impact on the lives of our town’s residents.

“We therefore see this partnership with The Brick as the perfect fit and one we take great pride in.”

Wigan Warriors Chief Executive, Kris Radlinski MBE said:

“The Brick charity has been a cornerstone of Wigan, transforming and influencing countless lives over many years. Naming the stadium in Wigan after their charity is a suitable tribute to their significant impact on the community.

“The renaming marks the beginning of our collaboration on meaningful projects aimed at providing every opportunity for success to the people of our town. The Brick Community Stadium in Wigan truly embodies this spirit — it’s a venue where everyone in the town can come together to support their chosen team.”

Keely Dalfen, CEO of The Brick added:

“The renaming of the Stadium is a fantastic gesture that cements our long-term partnership with Latics and Warriors, bringing together three of the town’s oldest serving institutions.

“We could not be more delighted to be formally associated with the town’s iconic stadium, and two great clubs that align so closely with our values of opportunity, inclusivity, and equality. The positive influence that the new stadium name will have on the people of Wigan will stretch far beyond the stadium itself as we harness the power of sport in continuing to put the community at the heart of everything we do.

“So many of us have experienced the intense feeling of belonging when cheering on our teams at the ground, and it is that sense of belonging that we try so very hard to create for people we support. We are extremely thankful for the generosity of Mike Danson and the Executive Board in affording this immense privilege to The Brick.”

Fans gave their reaction as League One club Wigan Athletic reveal a unique new name for their stadium but with a heartwarming reason behind it…

@isaacgr33nwood: Superb this.. the club’s have already said they are going to explore commercial options for ’26 onwards so I don’t see why supporting a Wigan charity whilst this happens should be a problem!

@HPennington16: didn’t we get bantered for the toughsheet?

@Lukedarbyshire7: call it what you want will still be DW/ jay jay bee to us

@jackbla21923547: I know the name is not the best but brilliant intentions from the club. A club for the community , 👍

@FPL_Scran: Fucking hell and we thought the toughsheet was bad 🤣

@rimmington01: Can’t lie I don’t like the name but least it will always be called the DW stadium

@WafcHugh: Gonna take some time to get used to this

@Hehehehesiii: Still the JJB in my heart

@callum_wafc: i like it ngl

@Latics_WN6: Don’t understand that, doesn’t have a ring to it and is a charity organisation so no revenue from it… Not keen at all.

@David1Lowe: Amazing billionaire gives naming rights to a local charity which helps local homeless people and those in severe hardship but Twitter moans as it won’t generate any money for said billionaire. 🤷 Sure he knows what he doing 😀

@colingarner1: If you’re that bothered about a name then why don’t you put your money in your pocket & buy the rights instead of complaining! Local clubs supporting local charity 👏👏 #wafc

@LewisWebb_96: Supporting a good local charity whilst finding a long term commercial partner and you’ve got people complaining purely because they don’t like what a bit of brick and mortar is going to be known as. Fucking grow up

@ella_jadee_: How did I know so many people would moan about this 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

@Matty_Ox10: A name change to generate money would’ve been fair enough, but to get rid of DW for a charity is a fat no from me

@dnmb00: Glad it’s not a betting sponsor but it’ll always be the JJB to me 👍

@DanStacey03: No more free Mike Ashley promo is a positive. Obviously would have been better to make money from a change, but quite like the fact they haven’t just taken the first offer that came in. Hopefully more lucrative offers will come throughout the next year #wafc

@WAFCtabs: The Brick, who help with homelessness, is quite apt for the warriors, who would be homeless without the tics. #wafc