World Club Challenge: Wigan Warriors v Penrith Panthers to be highest attended in England since 2011

Wigan’s last involvement in club rugby league’s biggest fixture saw a crowd of 21,331 in 2019 against Sydney Roosters as the NRL outfit claimed a record fifth title with a 20-8 result at the DW Stadium.

21,011 saw the Warriors crowned world champions in 2017 with a 22-6 victory over Cronulla Sharks, while 2011 saw 24,268 in Wigan as St George Illawarra Dragons won their first World Club Challenge title - their only to date.

Previous fixtures in England have seen crowds of 16,108 (St Helens versus Sydney Roosters, 2020), 19,778 (Leeds Rhinos versus North Queensland Cowboys, 2016), 17,980 (St Helens versus South Sydney Rabbitohs, 2015), 20,400 (Leeds Rhinos versus Melbourne Storm, 2013) and 21,062 (Leeds Rhinos versus Manly Sea Eagles, 2012).

RL Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones has hailed the approach to the World Club Challenge with an early sell-out approaching. He said: "I’m blown away by the number of ticket sales that they have done already, and I think it will sell-out in the next week, if not before, which will be fantastic.

“Credit goes to Wigan for doing all of that. Meanwhile, we support on the periphery, so we’ll help with the profile of the game and certain events in the week, but it is very much down to Wigan and Penrith in terms of making the game a success.”

Prior to 2011, the Rhinos enjoyed success at Elland Road, with three out of four fixtures attracting crowds of more than 30,000.

The side recorded the highest World Club Challenge attendance in the northern hemisphere with 37,028 against Canterbury Bulldogs in 2005 at the home of Leeds United.

Wigan’s highest attendance was back in 1987 as they claimed an 8-2 victory over Manly Sea Eagles with an official crowd of 36,895 at Central Park.

The cherry and white outfit were also involved in the highest attended World Club Challenge across the whole competition back in 1994. 54,220 witnessed the side impressively defeat Brisbane Broncos 20-14 in 1994 at the ANZ Stadium.