Saints travel to Newcastle's St James' Park this Saturday for the Magic Weekend where we'll face rivals Wigan Warriors with kick-off at 4.45pm and it's sure not to disappoint.
BACKGROUND
This match is much more than just a top of the table clash. It’s a coming together of the greatest rivalry in Super League, it’s a fight for bragging rights and it takes place on one of the biggest weekends in rugby league.
St Helens come into this game off the back of a loss after getting beat by Catalans Dragons last Sunday, however it should be noted we were in impressive form before our trip to France having won our previous five games, including beating Leeds Rhinos 42-12.
Wigan aren’t going to be an easy feat as they’re also coming into this game having beaten their last five opponents, so both teams will be confident they’ll be able to bring the two points back from the North East.
This is the first time in 10 years the two teams will meet at the Magic Weekend making this clash even tastier.
LAST TEN MEETINGS
St Helens 18, Wigan 20 (CCSF, 7/5/22) (at Elland Road, Leeds)
St Helens 22, Wigan 4 (SLR8, 15/4/22)
Wigan 2, St Helens 26 (SLR20, 20/8/21)
St Helens 24, Wigan 6 (SLR13, 4/7/21)
St Helens 8, Wigan 4 (SLGF, 27/11/20) (at KCOM Stadium, Hull)
St Helens 6, Wigan 18 (SLR19, 30/10/20)
Wigan 0, St Helens 42 (SLR14, 29/9/20) (at AJ Bell Stadium, Salford)
St Helens 40, Wigan 10 (SLQSF, 27/9/19)
St Helens 32, Wigan 10 (SLR22, 12/7/19)
Wigan 10, St Helens 36 (SLR11, 19/4/19)
SQUADS
Click here to read more about our squad.
COACHES PREVIEW:
Head over to Saints TV to hear what Kristian Woolf had to say ahead of the game….Jack Welsby also looked ahead to the big derby clash here.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Liam Moore will be the referee, while Chris Kendall will be the video referee.
KIT?
Saints will play in our special edition magic shirt for the clash, which incorporates the hugely successful ICE COLD range of Trainingwear and the Club’s continued association with Autism support sees the universally recognised symbol of puzzle pieces outlined in green and built into the shirt’s white body.
HOW DO I GET TO MAGIC WEEKEND?
ON FOOT:
St. James’ Park is located to the North West of Newcastle city centre, close to the junction between Gallowgate, St. James’ Boulevard and Barrack Road. That’s just a 10-minute walk from Newcastle Central Station and around five minutes from Monument Metro Station and the city’s major bus stations.
BY METRO:
Newcastle upon Tyne is served by the Tyne & Wear Metro system; a light rail network with frequent services between Newcastle Airport, Newcastle city centre, the coast, major transport interchanges and destinations south to Wearside. We recommend St. James’ Metro station for local coastal destinations including North Shields, while Monument station – a five-minute walk away – is served by both yellow and green line routes towards Newcastle International Airport, South Shields and the coast. To reach St. James’ Park from Monument station, walk west on Blackett Street and continue onto Gallowgate. The stadium will become visible on your right.
BY TRAIN:
Newcastle Central Station is around a 10-minute walk from St. James’ Park. Situated on the East Coast Mainline, it is a principle stop for services between London and Edinburgh/Glasgow. In addition to regional services to Middlesbrough and Carlisle, it also offers direct cross-country routes to and from Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool Birmingham and Bristol. To walk to St. James’ Park, cross the road from the station and walk up Pink Lane to your left, passing the Forth Hotel public house. Turn right onto Clayton Street, then left onto Westgate Road. Outside Tilleys Bar, bear right onto Bath Lane and after 200 metres, turn right onto Stowell Street (Chinatown) and continue until the ground becomes visible beyond the Chinatown arch.
BY PUBLIC BUS:
Newcastle upon Tyne has two major bus stations for local and regional services – Haymarket, for services to and from Northumberland and the North, and Eldon Square, for services to and from County Durham and the South. Both are located on Percy Street, a five-minute walk from St. James’ Park. To reach the stadium, walk south west on Percy Street and turn right onto Gallowgate. St. James’ Park will become visible on your right. Newcastle Coach Station is on St. James’ Boulevard and receives National Express coach services, while Megabus operates services from outside Newcastle Central Station. Both offer frequent services from across the UK.
FAN COACHES:
From A1 south – Follow signs for City West to B6324 junction, take 3rd exit from roundabout onto Stamfordham Road. Follow A167 City Centre to the Cow Hill junction. Exit and then turn right onto Grandstand Road then follow signs for City Centre. St James Park is on left hand side. Please park as directed on southbound carriageway. From A69 west – At A1 junction, follow signs for A1 North (Morpeth) then as above. There is a pay and display HGV and coach park on Ord Street by the Metro Radio Arena.
MINIBUSES:
Routes to St James Park, as above. Drop-off only outside Stadium. For longer stay parking, return in same direction to crossroads adjacent to BBC. Turn right onto Hunters Road. Follow for ¼ mile to Claremont Road junction and turn left. Parking will be located on the right-hand side.
BY CAR:
If travelling by car, fans are being encouraged to car share where possible. Parking for the above mentioned vehicles is available on-site in the stadium car parks on a pre-pay basis only. To purchase a pass please contact NUFC on 0191 201 8558. Please note parking is limited, however there are number of public car parks signposted clearly within Newcastle city centre, though be warned – they are likely to be extremely busy during Magic Weekend! Information can be found on the Newcastle Council website. If you do need to use your car, use the postcode ‘NE1 4ST’ in your sat-nav to find the stadium.
CAN I STILL BUY TICKETS?
Fans can purchase tickets from St James’ Park ticket office on Saturday before the game.
CAN I LEAVE AND GO BACK TO THE STADIUM?
A pass out/return system will be operated on both event days allowing spectators to move freely to and from the stadium bowl – there is no limit on the number of times someone is allowed to pass out and re-enter.
Spectators leaving the stadium bowl with the intention of returning may do so but MUST first ensure that they have a hand stamp applied upon initial exit; if there is no evidence of a hand stamp re-entry will not be permitted. Hand stamps will be applied by stadium stewards.
Dedicated exit and re-entry gates in each stand will be used to facilitate this operation.
Different coloured hand stamps will be used for each level each day. It is important that match tickets are not discarded; tickets need to be produced for re-entry if using the pass out system. Re-entry to the stadium bowl will be on production of both a hand stamp and relevant match ticket.
FOOD AND DRINK
A range of hot and cold snacks, soft drinks and alcohol will be available to purchase in all concourse areas. Once purchased within the stadium, alcohol cannot be taken outside into the city. While some kiosks do accept cash within the concourse area, we encourage fans, where possible, to bring a credit or debit card to purchase refreshments. The majority of kiosks within St James’ Park are CASH-LESS.
Please note that no large amount of food can be taken inside the stadium from outside. The amount of food allowed will be at the discretion of Newcastle United staff. Bottles and cans are also not permitted. If you have specific dietary requirements, please contact the steward at your stadium entry point. Permission may be granted following appropriate checks.
FAN ZONE
Opening Times: Saturday 11am – 7.30pm | Sunday 11am – 5.30pm
The Fan Zone is located on Strawberry Place, offering food, beverage, and activities delivered by official partners Dacia, Northern and Batchelors Mushy Peas throughout the weekend. Metro Radio will be hosting the fan zone, keeping the party going with live music and special guest interviews from the stage at the heart of the activity.
LUGGAGE/PUSHCHAIRS
We regret to inform you that there are no areas to store luggage and/or pushchairs at St. James’ Park during Magic Weekend. Luggage items larger than A4 size are not allowed into the stadium for security reasons. Appropriate discretion will be used for ladies’ handbags, baby changing bags, etc. and will be subject to the standard security checks.
DISABLED SUPPORTERS’ ASSISTANCE
Accessible parking (for blue badge holders) is available to purchase direct from NUFC – advance application only. To apply for a pass please call 0191 201 8558. Vehicles will not be permitted to park in accessible spaces without an event specific pass – blue badge must also be displayed on arrival.
Day passes are £15 per vehicle, weekend passes £20 vehicle. Spectators with tickets for the Milburn stand Upper tier are advised that there are 140 stairs and 14 landings leading up to the seating area.
If you are disabled or have mobility issues, please ask a steward who will be happy to direct you to a lift. Any spectators who require audio commentary, please contact the Customer Service Centre at The RFL on 0844 856 1113, Monday –Friday, 9am-5pm.
I CAN’T ATTEND – WHERE CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?
The game is LIVE on Sky Sports Mix, but supporters can follow the game on our official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts as well as on our Live Match Centre.
Reaction will follow the Full-Time whistle on our website and social media channels whilst the highlights and the full 80 minute replay will be on Saints TV for subscribers the following day.
RIVALS WATCH
Saturday 9 July
Wakefield Trinity vs Toulouse Olympique (2.30pm) – Sky Sports
Saints vs Wigan (4.45pm) – Sky Sports
Leeds Rhinos vs Castleford Tigers (7pm) – Sky Sports
Sunday 10 July
Huddersfield Giants vs Salford Red Devils (1pm) – Sky Sports
Catalans Dragons vs Warrington Wolves (3.15pm) – Sky Sports
Hull KR v Hull FC (5.30pm) – Sky Sports
