'The event of 2026' - Wigan Warriors chairman hails Paris adventure with Catalans Dragons
Wigan Warriors’ historic clash with Catalans Dragons in Paris is already being billed as one of the standout moments of the Super League era, and for chairman Professor Chris Brookes, the occasion in the French capital represents far more than a regular-season fixture.
Matt Peet’s Warriors will face Joel Tomkins’ Dragons in the French capital in a historic Super League fixture on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the Stade Jean-Bouin.
And the Warriors will be part of a Paris double-header, with the Grand Final of the French domestic competition – Super XIII – being held at the same ground on the same day as the curtain-raiser to the Catalans-Wigan fixture.
Speaking to Wigan Today about the landmark event, Brookes captured both the excitement of the setting and the deeper significance between the two clubs.
"I think it will be the event of 2026,” said Brookes.
"Last year, the event was Las Vegas. This year, Paris – the city of love in the spring, you can’t go wrong with that!
“I think the fact that it is a double-header as well, giving fans the opportunity to experience the Grand Final of the French competition (is great). I think there is a resonance 30 years since Wigan played at the old Paris Saint-Germain team there.
“I think it shows the progress made by the Catalans club and, of course, it cements that very special alliance and allegiance between the Catalans club and the Wigan Warriors.”
The day of celebrations on June 6 will mark the anniversaries of 20 years of Catalans in the Super League competition and 30 years since the start of Super League – at the place where it all began in 1996, when Paris Saint-Germain hosted Sheffield Eagles at Stade Charlety.
The alliance between Wigan and Catalans has been built over many years and is rooted in shared values and mutual respect.
When asked to elaborate on the bond between the two clubs, Brookes emphasised Wigan’s wider support for French rugby league.
“We as a club are strongly supportive of Catalans Dragons, as I said when we had that press conference following the announcement,” he explained.
"And in the strongest possible terms, we support the Catalans Dragons in Super League and are delighted that Toulouse are part of that as well.
“That said, there is a special relationship between the Catalans Dragons and the Wigan Warriors, and the root of that is the passion that Bernard (Guasch, Catalans owner) has for his club, which replicates the passion that we have for Wigan.
“Bernard is passionate, and me and Rads (Kris Radlinski) as chairman and CEO, we’re passionate about Wigan, and that then creates a special bond and relationship between us, which has then been added to because our fans see the Catalans matches as a special destination.
"We’ve added some further atmosphere to that relationship because of that Wigan contingent being there. Two of our most famous players and ones we’re closely associated with in Joel Tomkins and Michael McIlorum, they’re cutting their coaching teeth now with Catalans, and we’re proud of what they’re doing. I’d like to think that the things they have learned in terms of team building and connection from the Wigan Warriors, they’ll be using a similar approach to put their mark on what’s happening in Catalans. We’re proud of their success.
"Obviously, we very much want to be coming away with the points when we play Catalans next season, but we’re also proud of the fact that Joel and Micky will be putting their mark on the Catalans team and probably playing the Wigan way and what they’ve learned in terms of leadership and team building from their time at the Wigan Warriors.”