Following the announcement that Wigan Athletic is to distribute tickets to schools and organisations, the Club has been inundated with requests and is expecting many more.

The Big Ticket is intended to make up to 2,000 tickets per Barclays Premier League game available to increase junior support, encourage usage of the ever-popular Junior Stripes Matchday Club and nurture fans of the future.

The tickets are available for the South Stand of the DW Stadium as of the Chelsea game on Saturday 26th September (kick off 3pm) for the remainder of the season. Both, junior guests of Season Ticket Holders plus school pupils and members of organisations have the opportunity to receive tickets for selected matches between now and May 2010.

Club Commercial Director Paul Hunt is extremely pleased with the huge uptake, "It appears that schools, groups and consequently juniors in the North West, have a genuine thirst for the Barclays Premier League. The interest in Wigan Athletic is coming from further a field too in addition to a great response from the borough. It is now up to us to ensure that we retain that support over the coming months and convert them into Latics supporters".

On matchday itself, each child can enter into a free prize draw to win a full Latics kit every matchday, all groups get named in the Matchday Programme and one lucky school / group will win a full team kit from Latics Technical Kit Partner, Vandanel and a visit from Latics players at the end of the season. The Club Shop is also getting in on the act by providing free face painting and a Matchday Special Offer. This week's is any purchase accompanied by a Big Ticket, over £10 receives a free Latics Soft Ball to the value of £2.99.

Further tickets will be distributed through the Club's highly successful Community Trust, Playing for Success centre, Wigan Athletic Ladies and Junior Latics.

Additionally, parents or family members wishing to accompany the child lucky enough to obtain a free ticket can also take advantage of a £5 discount off the already competitive regular matchday prices to enable them to accompany them to the game.

Season Ticket Holders who apply for a free ticket for a youngster can exchange their seat to enable the Season Ticket Holder to sit with the youngster they have invited by contacting the Ticket Office.

All schools/organisations the Club is aware of have now been contacted with application details but other organisations can apply by visiting www.latics.tv and downloading the application form within the Big Ticket section. Alternatively, please contact the Club on 01942 774000 (email bigticket@wiganathletic.com).