Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors to Make Super League History with Dublin Fixture in 2027

Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors are set to make Super League history after confirming plans to stage the competition's first-ever fixture in Ireland in 2027.

The two clubs will meet at Dublin's newly redeveloped Laya Arena, home of Leinster Rugby, on Saturday, 24 April 2027, marking a significant milestone in rugby league's continued efforts to expand its reach beyond traditional heartlands.

The fixture represents the latest step in the sport's growing international strategy, following recent high-profile events in Las Vegas and Paris. It will also be the second time Warrington and Wigan have faced each other in Dublin, having previously met at Shelbourne Park in 1934. Wigan also played Leeds in a Charity Shield fixture in the Irish capital in 1995.

Warrington Wolves chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick believes the event presents another major opportunity to introduce rugby league to new audiences.

He said: "This is another landmark moment for our club, for Super League and for the sport of rugby league.

"Following the success of the Las Vegas and Paris projects, and the appetite shown for taking our game to new audiences, Dublin is the perfect next destination.

"It is a world-class sporting city with a proven track record of hosting major international events and provides another outstanding opportunity to showcase our sport on the big stage."

The match will take place at the 20,000-capacity Laya Arena, which has undergone a €52 million redevelopment ahead of its reopening in August.

Wigan Warriors chief executive Kris Radlinski also highlighted the significance of taking the sport to Ireland and the potential for future growth.

He said: "Hopefully this will become another successful chapter in rugby league's growth story and show what can be achieved when we're prepared to think differently and be ambitious."

The fixture is scheduled to take place one week before the 2027 Magic Weekend and is expected to attract supporters from both sides of the Irish Sea.

Radlinski added: "Dublin has an outstanding reputation for hosting major sporting events and provides the perfect stage for two proud clubs and two passionate sets of supporters to showcase everything that makes our game special.

"This is about creating an occasion that people want to be part of, whether they're lifelong supporters or discovering rugby league for the very first time."

The landmark event is another indication of Super League's ambition to grow the sport inter­nati­onally, with Dublin set to become the latest city to host a major rugby league spectacle.