QPR have a long trip north on the last Wednesday in October to pick up their game in hand at Wigan Atheltic.

Ground Name: DW Stadium

Capacity: 25,023

Address: Loire Drive , Wigan , WN5 0UZ

Telephone: 01942 774 000

Box Office: 0871 663 3552

By Car

Just over 200 miles from Loftus Road this one, up the M1 and M6. Leave the M6 at junction 25 and take the A49 from there into Wigan . Follow that road two miles into town until you reach a large traffic light controlled roundabout after the Aldi store. Turn left there into Robin Park Road which leads to the ground and associated retail park. The ground is easily the biggest structure for some distance in either direction and should be visible from quite some way away. It's 207 miles and three hours 15 minutes from Loftus Road at the speed limit.

Map

Click on the map to zoom in or out and move around.

Parking

Unusually for a new stadium the DW has been built with more than adequate car parking for all supporters, with a designated away car park apparently charging £5 for cars, £10 for mini buses and £20 for coaches. This can take a while to clear after matches. Avoid the nearby retail park which has a strictly enforced two hour parking limit and a £50 fine for those who disobey the rules.

By Train

Obviously fairly late notice to be booking trains but there are one or two money saving options still kicking around. A straight return to Wigan, going up on Wednesday afternoon and coming back on Thursday morning, is £77.30. Chop that down to £52 by going up to Manchester on Wednesday afternoon, and back after lunch on Thursday, for £26 each way then getting a local train from there up to Wigan Wallgate.

The guide says the ground is a taxi or bus ride away and takes at least 20 minutes to walk but I'm not having it. I'm sure it didn't take us that long last season and it was teeming with rain at the time so won't have felt short by accident. Come out of North Western and turn left, or Wallgate and turn right, and walk down the high street under the railway bridge. Take the third right down Miry Lane and then follow that through the industrial park until you reach a cul-de-sac on your left with a steel bridge over the canal at the end of it — this should be obvious with a stream of people heading over it to the match. The ground is clearly visible from there.

By Coach

The official club coach leaves Loftus Road at 14.00 and the Target Roundabout at 14.30. It’s priced £32 adults, £21 seniors and young adults, and £19 under 16s. Usual £2 discount for season ticket holders.

The LSA is running a coach from The Springbok, also leaving at 14.00. It’s £30 adults and £20 concessions, please call Gary on 07506 028 189 as soon as possible to reserve your seat.

Where to drink

Apparently for some matches Wigan now set up a marquee next to the away end offering beer, pies and live football although it wasn't there for our visit last season. There is also the Red Robin, a new build pub on the retail park which might be the best bet for those arriving by car and parking at the ground. The town centre is walkable and is where those arriving by train, to either station, will arrive. That has all the usual suspects. The Anvil is the CAMRA recognised pub, the Swan and Railway is the one best avoided. Many end up in the Moon Under Water Wetherspoons.

Match Tickets

Rangers have 1,000 tickets for advance sale behind the goal, but in reality they could have up to 5,000 if necessary - which it won’t be. They’re priced £20 adults, £15 seniors and £10 under 16s with wheelchair and ambulant disabled priced at £15 adults and £10 under 16s. They’re on general sale now from QPR and will be available on the night. Ten loyalty points on offer for this one, but you must buy in advance to claim them. Disabled supporters can reserve a free parking space (limited availability) by contacting Wigan’s Disabled Co-ordinator Norma Sherratt on 0871 66 33 552.

Links >>> Official website >>> Detailed ground guide >>> LFW Wigan Awayday

Tweet @loftforwords

Pictures - Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Queens Park Rangers Polls