The Wigan Warriors are gearing up for a landmark event in rugby league history as they prepare to face the Catalans Dragons in Paris on June 6, 2026. This fixture, set to take place at the iconic Stade Jean Bouin, not only celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Catalans Dragons' participation in the Super League but also marks the 30th anniversary of the Super League itself. The match represents a significant milestone in the sport's expansion and is eagerly anticipated by fans and officials alike.
Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons have a rich and competitive history, with their rivalry heating up in recent years. The upcoming Paris match will be a repeat of the last relocated fixture held by the Catalans in 2019 at Barcelona’s Camp Nou, which famously set a Super League regular season attendance record with 31,555 fans. This return to Paris is symbolic, as the city was the birthplace of the Super League in 1996 when Paris Saint-Germain hosted Sheffield Eagles at Stade Charléty.
Bernard Guasch, President of the Catalans Dragons, expressed his pride in celebrating these anniversaries in Paris. He remarked, “As President of the Dragons, it is a great honour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Super League in Paris, where it all began in 1996. It will mark the return of professional rugby league to our capital and I have no doubt it will be an emotional occasion, both for French and English fans.” Guasch also highlighted the club’s journey, recalling unforgettable moments such as Wembley finals and the historic match in Barcelona. He emphasized the significance of choosing Wigan, “the greatest club of them all,” to showcase rugby league to the Parisian crowd.
Wigan Warriors’ Chief Executive Kris Radlinski shared his enthusiasm for the event, recalling his own experience playing in Paris 30 years ago. “This June will mark 30 years since I had the privilege of playing in the Wigan side that narrowly defeated Paris Saint-Germain in what was a historic occasion. Now, to return with our club to this iconic city to face Catalans Dragons is another landmark moment,” he said. Radlinski also praised the strong relationship between the two clubs and looked forward to expanding their partnership at Stade Jean Bouin.
Adding to the excitement, Catalans Dragons captain Benjamin Garcia spoke about the special nature of playing a Super League match in the French capital. “As Captain of the Dragons and the French national team, playing a Super League match in our capital will be a special moment. It will be a great challenge to face Wigan Warriors again in a relocated fixture. The atmosphere will be fantastic and I hope rugby league fans from all over France will come to Paris to support us.”
On the commercial front, Christophe Levy, Commercial Director of the Dragons, emphasized the importance of the venue and the occasion. “We have chosen Stade Jean Bouin, a proper rugby venue, beautiful and modern, located in the heart of Paris, between the Parc des Princes and Roland Garros. We want to show that rugby league exists, is alive and well, and knows how to rally around a unique event,” he explained. Levy also noted the high interest among English fans and the global rugby league community, underscoring the stakes involved.
While the Paris fixture is set for 2026, Wigan Warriors are currently making waves in the 2025 Betfred Super League season. Their recent 28-18 victory over Catalans Dragons at the Brick Community Stadium was a crucial win that moved them within two points of league leaders Hull KR. Despite missing key players Jai Field due to concussion protocols and Bevan French through injury, the Warriors showcased impressive depth with young talents Jack Farrimond and Zach Eckersley stepping up with standout tries.
The match was notable for Wigan’s strong first-half performance, where they established a 16-0 lead thanks to tries from Jake Wardle, Farrimond, and Kruise Leeming. Wardle opened the scoring with a sharp offload from Liam Marshall, while Farrimond, making a return from a hamstring injury, impressed with a clever grubber kick and cheeky try reminiscent of French’s style. Leeming capped a superb team try to cement the halftime advantage.
Catalans fought back in the second half with tries from Cesar Rouge, Tommy Makinson, and Alrix Da Costa, the latter coming after a video review overturned an on-field no try decision. Makinson’s try was particularly significant, marking his 196th in Super League and placing him sixth on the all-time try scorers list. However, Wigan’s resilience showed through with late tries from Eckersley and Brad O’Neill, ensuring the victory and extending their winning streak over Catalans to six consecutive matches.
Wigan head coach Matt Peet provided a candid assessment of the game, praising the first-half display but expressing disappointment with the second-half performance. “I liked the first half, the way we built the game. We committed to the plan, the young lads were doing their bit. I thought in the second half we lost our way a little bit,” Peet reflected. He highlighted the importance of ball control and finishing sets well, noting that “when you become loose with the ball, everyone’s energy becomes less and less.”
Peet also acknowledged the challenges posed by Catalans under their new permanent head coach Joel Tomkins, a former Wigan player who recently signed a deal until 2027. “Credit to Catalans, as ever, they came and competed as I knew they would and they made it difficult,” Peet said. The Dragons have struggled this season, suffering eight defeats in nine Super League games since the departure of Steve McNamara, but Tomkins’ leadership is seen as a step towards rebuilding.
Despite the win, Peet cautioned that Wigan must improve their consistency and attitude to maintain their position in the league. “I’ll say we’ll learn but we’re going to run out of time if we don’t learn soon. It’s happened previously, and we’ve got to fix that, for sure,” he warned. The team is currently dealing with an injury crisis, missing key figures like Bevan French, Abbas Miski, and Luke Thompson, which has impacted their form.
Looking ahead to the Paris fixture, Peet expressed optimism about the initiative and the relationship between the clubs. “It’s good, it’s a good initiative. It is very exciting, and it will be a great occasion,” he said. “I think it shows our support of French rugby league and the healthy relationship between the two clubs.”
Wigan Warriors will be offering ticket and travel packages for supporters and sponsors for the Paris match, with details expected in due course. Fans can anticipate a vibrant, festive atmosphere as rugby league returns to the French capital in a celebration of the sport’s history and future.
The upcoming match in Paris is more than just a game; it is a symbol of rugby league’s growth and the enduring bond between two passionate clubs. As Wigan Warriors continue their pursuit of Super League glory this season, the anticipation builds for what promises to be a historic encounter in one of Europe’s greatest cities.
