Halliwell Jones Stadium is a state-of-the-art purpose built rugby league stadium in Warrington, England. Halliwell Jones is a large BMW and MINI group which holds the naming rights for the stadium. It is built on the former site of the Joseph Walker Brewery.

It is the home ground of the Warrington Wolves but has also staged major fixtures such as the Challenge Cup semi-final and the 2004 European Nations Final, as well as being a venue for Women's Euro 2005 in football.

Most recently, the Halliwell Jones Stadium hosted the National League Grand Finals' Day, where three Grand Finals were played on the same day (National League 3 Grand Final, National League 2 Qualifying Final and the National League 1 Grand Final). In 2008 the stadium again hosted the National LeagueGrand Finals. The Stadium will again host the National League Grand Finals in October 2009.

It was announced that Liverpool FC Reserves will play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in 2007/08. Their first match played at the Stadium was on 2 October 2007 against Sunderland in front of a crowd of 3,403. The record crowd for a Liverpool FC Reserves fixture at the stadium is 10,546 on the 26 February 2008 against Manchester United. Due to the success of the initial one year deal both Warrington Wolves officials and Liverpool FC officials agreed a further one year deal. However, crowds in the second season have dropped of with only 700 in attendance for the fixture on 18 November 2008 against Wigan Athletic. It was announced that Liverpool Reserves will no longer play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium after just 2 years.

[edit] The Stadium

The stadium was notable for bucking the common trend of modern stadia by including terracing areas rather than being an all-seater stadium. There are 4 stands in the stadium - Halliwell Jones North Stand (Reserved Seating), Martin Dawes East Stand (Reserved Seating), South Stand (Home Terracing), Doodson West Stand (Visitors Terracing). It also has enormous pitch dimensions of 120 m x 74 m.

The official capacity of the stadium is 14,206, although this has been reduced to approximately 13,024 after the crowd trouble plagued the Stadium's opening match where Warrington took on the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in Super League IX. The match was a sell out and it was not deemed safe.

In October 2009 the club announced plans to increase the capacity of the stadium from 13,204 to 18,000 over the next 5 years.

Catering at the Stadium is provided by Heathcotes who also cater at many other top sporting stadiums and events.

[edit] Events at The Halliwell Jones Stadium

Rugby League

• European Super League - Warrington Wolves

National League Grand Finals:

• 2006 - Hull KR v Widnes Vikings, Sheffield Eagles v Swinton Lions, Hemel Stags v Bramley Buffaloes
• 2008 - Salford City Reds v Celtic Crusaders, Barrow Raiders v Oldham Roughyeds, Celtic Crusaders Colts v Bramley Buffaloes
• 2009 - Barrow Raiders v Halifax RLFC, Keighley Cougars v Oldham Roughyeds, Bramley Buffaloes v Huddersfield Underbank Rangers

Challenge Cup Semi Finals:

• 2004 - St Helens v Huddersfield Giants
• 2007 - Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons
• 2009 - St Helens v Huddersfield Giants

Internationals:

• 27 October 2007 - Northern Union v All Golds Centenary International

Football

• Liverpool F.C. Reserves
• Women's 2005 Euro Championship

Music Events

• Autumn Pops Concert with Three Sporting Tennors

[edit] Ticket office at The Halliwell Jones Stadium

Office Opening Times - Monday - Saturday 9.00am until 5.00pm
Telephone - 0871 622 1879
Online - [1]

[edit] External links

• Halliwell Jones on Worldstadia.com