2024 World Club Challenge date and venue confirmed with Wigan Warriors to host Penrith Panthers
Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet will see his side take part in the World Club Challenge against Penrith Panthers in 2024 - Alamy
Super League champions Wigan Warriors will host NRL kings Penrith Panthers at the DW Stadium on Saturday, February 24, 2024 (8pm KO) in the first World Club Challenge held on English soil since 2020.
The Cherry and Whites lifted their first Super League title in five years last month with a 10-2 victory over Catalans Dragons at Old Trafford.
Hometown hero Liam Marshall grabbed the only try of the game for Matt Peet’s side midway through the second half, with half-back Harry Smith perfect with the boot, kicking the conversion from that four-pointer as well as two penalties on the night.
Penrith meanwhile pulled off a sensational comeback against Brisbane Broncos to remain the top dogs Down Under for the third season running, the first club to achieve that feat amongst Australia’s elite for over forty years.
Ivan Cleary’s side were 24-8 down before scoring 18 unanswered points in the final 18 minutes to seal their fifth Premiership, and the largest comeback victory ever in a showpiece Down Under.
2024 World Club Challenge date and venue confirmed with Wigan Warriors hosting Penrith Panthers
This will be Wigan’s first World Club Challenge for five years, last featuring in one in 2019 as they were beaten 20-8 by Sydney Roosters on home soil.
The Warriors’ last victory against Australia’s champions came two years prior, defeating Cronulla Sharks 22-6, again at the DW Stadium.
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the World Club Challenge returned at the beginning of the season just gone, with St Helens pulling off a history-making win against Penrith at BlueBet Stadium.
It was a first World Club Challenge win in Australia by any English side in the Super League era. The only previous one came in 1994, when Wigan saw off Brisbane.
As things stand, the scores are tied at 14-14 when it comes to overall World Club wins by nation.
Warriors go in search of record-equalling win against Penrith
If Peet’s men can overcome their NRL counterparts in February, and clinch a first World Club Challenge triumph since 2017, they’ll equal the Roosters’ record of five victories against the kings from Down Under.
The Panthers meanwhile head to the North West in search of a first-ever success in a World Club contest having lost all three of their previous attempts, including on home soil against St Helens earlier this year.
How it all pans out remains to be seen, but the Warriors have already come out on top when it comes to the scheduling of this fixture with their footballing brothers – Wigan Athletic.
The ‘Tics’ should have been playing at home on Saturday, February 24 against Cheltenham Town, but as a result of the World Club Challenge, have been forced to bring that Sky Bet League One clash forward to the evening prior.
From tomorrow – December 1 -, local businessman Mike Danson will hold ownership of both the Warriors and Latics.