The Shay is voted most popular away day of the 2026 regular season by a landslide margin

Earlier this week Widnes supporters voted for their favourite away venue of the 2026 regular season. The Shay stormed home in the poll, earning over fifty percent of Vikings supporters votes. North Wales Crusaders was the second most popular destination, whilst Salford came an honourable third.

Sheffield was the only away trip did not receive a vote, whilst Hunslet received just one.

The 2026 trip to The Shay

The home of the Halifax Panthers has hosted some classic encounters between Halifax and Widnes over the years, with the tie usually producing electric atmospheres.

The fixture between the two teams this season was no different with Widnes escaping 11-10 winners. Allan Colemans interchange bench was decimated within the first 20 minutes. Lewis Hall, Max Banditt, Matty Fozard and Nathan Connell all departed the field with injuries.

Forwards played long minutes without rotation and the leadership of senior players surfaced, to drag Widnes over the finishing line with a win. The afternoon will be remembered for the determination and never say attitude from Allan Colemans men.

The Vikings last 6 results at The Shay

Games between Widnes and Halifax at The Shay have been good value for money in recent times, with no more than four points splitting the two teams in the last six fixtures.

Games have remained competitive for the full 80 minutes and perhaps a key reason why the away day ranks so highly with the Widnes faithful.

• Halifax Panthers 17-16 Widnes Vikings (July 4th 2021)
• Halifax Panthers 8-9 Widnes Vikings (February 13th 2022)
• Halifax Panthers 26-28 Widnes Vikings (August 27th 2023)
• Halifax Panthers 20-24 Widnes Vikings (July 21st 2024)
• Halifax Panthers 16-14 Widnes Vikings (September 7th 2025)
• Halifax Panthers 10-11 Widnes Vikings (August 16th 2026)

Iconic Northern Rail Cup moment

The Shay lives long in the memory of any loyal Widnes supporter, who followed the club back in June 2009. Widnes would take on Halifax at The Shay in the Northern Rail Cup Semi Final, with the prize a place in the final at Blackpool against Barrow Raiders.

Widnes raced into a 20-6 lead curtesy of an Anthony Thackeray brace and a try from Gavin Dodd. Craig Hall added the extras and a penalty goal.

The packed away end was rocking, until Halifax overturned a 14 point deficit to take a 22-20 lead into the closing stages of the game. As cool as ice, Craig Hall kicked a penalty goal and a drop goal to regain the lead for the Vikings.

Anthony Thackeray completed his hat trick in the closing stages of the game to send the Vikings to Blackpool with a 27-22 victory, however this was not the only talking point of the afternoon.

Australian Half-back Ben Black had an opportunity deep into the second half to send his team to the final. Black had a clear run to the line, with the line begging and no Widnes players in sight, the ball shot from his grasp resulting in a knock on.

The 4,000 supporters in attendance was in disbelief and the moment is still talked about to this day.

Widnes went on to secure Super League status as a reward of their victory in the 2009 Northern Rail Cup Final, perhaps without Ben Black’s knock on the Vikings might never of enjoyed promotion to the Super League back in 2012.