Wigan Warriors' pre-season schedule with two friendlies confirmed ahead of Super League start
Wigan Warriors’ pre-season schedule is taking shape, with two friendlies locked in for Matt Peet’s side.
Wigan’s first game in 2026 will take place on Saturday, January 10, with the Warriors sending a team to face Championship side North Wales Crusaders at the Eirias Stadium in Colwyn Bay, 1pm kick-off.
Warriors coach Matt Peet said: “We look forward to visiting Wales in our first hit out of the year.
"It will provide us with a great opportunity to progress our preparation for the season ahead.”
It will be the Warriors’ first pre-season friendly of 2026 before Wigan host Hull FC at the Brick Community Stadium in Liam Marshall’s testimonial match on Sunday, February 1, 3pm kick-off.
Marshall is celebrating 10 professional seasons at his hometown club in 2026, having made his Wigan debut in a win over Leigh back in March 2017.
The 29-year-old has gone on to score 169 tries in 213 appearances for the Warriors, whilst earning back-to-back Super League Dream Team selections over the last two seasons.
Marshall said: “Firstly, a massive thank you to Hull FC for agreeing to play in my testimonial game. We really appreciate your support in what is hopefully going to be a great afternoon on and off the field.
“Secondly, having a game at the Brick in front of our fans to celebrate 10 years at my hometown club is a very proud moment for me and my family.
"The Wigan fans have always supported me greatly since I have been at the club, and hopefully I will see lots of you down at the game supporting me and the lads. My committee and I are very excited for the game and the year ahead and hope you can join us.”
Peet added: “It’s a great occasion to celebrate Liam’s career.
“Hull and Wigan have a strong history together, and they showed last season that they are a club on the rise, so it is a really exciting contest to help us prepare for the season.”
The majority of Wigan’s first-team are back in pre-season training now. Set groups have started pre-season in stages, with the club’s internationals and overseas players set to report back in early January.
The first group reported back to the club’s Robin Park Arena training base on Monday, November 17. The first group back was the younger members of the first-team squad.
And on Monday, December 1, most of the other players in Peet’s squad commenced pre-season training, excluding those who have played in internationals and the overseas players.
The turn of the year will see the whole of the first-team squad come together for pre-season, with preparations well underway ahead of the start of the 2026 Super League season, which sees Peet’s side face a trip to The OneBore Stadium to face Castleford Tigers in their opening league fixture on Sunday, February 15. Like 2024, Wigan will feature in the Challenge Cup against lower league opposition before the league campaign gets underway, although no official dates have been set at the time of writing.
Wigan’s international players will report back early in the New Year. Harry Smith, Ethan Havard and Jake Wardle all represented England in the Ashes series defeat against Australia.