Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont calls for scrapping Magic Weekend & advocates a radical replacement

[josie andrews]

LEIGH LEOPARDS owner Derek Beaumont has called for the scrapping of Super League’s Magic Weekend and for it to be replaced with a 9s competition.

The Magic Weekend has been a steady part of the Super League calendar for almost two decades having first been introduced in 2007 in Cardiff.

Since then, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle, Liverpool and Leeds have hosted the concept with Newcastle’s St James’ Park becoming the Magic Weekend’s ‘home’.

However, Beaumont believes that a 9s competition should be introduced in its place – and that then should be taken around Europe in a bid to enhance rugby league’s exposure.

“Get rid of the Magic Weekend and let’s have a 9s competition,” Beaumont told League Express.

“Take it around, take it to Ireland, take it to Spain. You want to go to Catalans and take the 9s competition there.

You’ve got just short of 2,000 people who went to Catalans from Leigh with Warrington and Wigan taking a similar number.

“If we can get 1,500 from each club – and with there being 12 clubs in Super League – we could get a stadium in Valencia let’s say that holds 25,000 people.

“We know we’ve got 18,000 people collectively from all the Super League clubs. Go over there, take it over, have a good craic and hopefully we would pick up some Spanish supporters as well.

“The Spanish might take a liking to a kit or a player from a certain team and, before you know it, you are building the brand around different places and pushing it towards Super League.”

The Magic Weekend has returned to Newcastle in 2025 following a year’s hiatus in Leeds.

https://www.totalrl.com/leigh-leopards- ... placement/

[fozzie58]

Oh god not 9s the players don’t need more competitions

[Mike]

Not like Derek to agree with IMG. Even partially.

[WarriorWinger]

The only problem with setting up a 9's comp is, what calibre of players would the clubs send over, if they are going to be mainly academy players then I am not sure it would attract the numbers he is hoping for.

[DaveO]

The only problem with setting up a 9's comp is, what calibre of players would the clubs send over, if they are going to be mainly academy players then I am not sure it would attract the numbers he is hoping for.

Agreed. I am not sure the clubs would take it seriously. No league points at stake and not a great deal of kudos for winning the competition.

I'd like Magic to go though. It has never lived up to the hype and detracts from the Challenge Cup as the sports "big day out".

I am sure everyone who goes has a good time but the aggregate crowds are usually lower than for the corresponding league fixtures and it just adds in another game against one particular team.

[Firestarter]

Maybe not the worst idea ever but 7s is much more exciting.I remember them doing the british coal 9s tournament years ago and it was pretty dire

[Ipinwigan]

9's or 7's a complete waste of time, I can't see anyone being interested in it.
I enjoy Magic Weekend, but wouldn't be going to a 9's tournament.