Magic Weekend linked with surprising new venue for 2023

[josie andrews]

Well, the Magic Weekend is now over and what a weekend it has been!

Toulouse Olympique kicked off the showpiece event with a superb win over West Yorkshire side Wakefield Trinity, helping their fears of relegation whilst St Helens and Wigan Warriors played out a classic in the second fixture with Kristian Woolf’s men just about getting over the line against Matt Peet’s side.

The third game on Saturday saw Castleford Tigers go down to Leeds Rhinos despite leading at half-time as the latter ran in 28 points in the second forty minutes for a brilliant 34-20 win.

Wind the clock forward to Sunday and Huddersfield Giants were able to overcome Salford Red Devils for the first game of the afternoon, with Warrington Wolves easing past Catalans Dragons in perhaps the shock of the round so far.

The overall attendance was revealed as 62,154 with Hull KR and Hull FC selling the most tickets for the weekend. St Helens and Wigan Warriors were reportedly not far behind as were Castleford Tigers who went down to the Leeds Rhinos on Saturday night.

The Magic Weekend is easily one of the highlights of the Super League year.

But something that comes up most years is where the Magic Weekend should be held. Newcastle’s St James’ Park has been a firm favourite with fans.

Of course, with an event such as the Magic Weekend, it’s not just the quality of stadium that needs to be taken into consideration but also proximity to a big city and the attractions there.

A total of 62,154 fans turned up at the home of Newcastle, which proved to be an increase on the 60,866 of 2021.

But, the sport’s chief commercial officer Rhodri Jones, has revealed a decision will be taken quickly for Magic Weekend’s home in 2023.

“We’ll do the post-event review, internally with the clubs and also with Newcastle United and Newcastle council because they are part of the tripartite agreement we have here,” Jones told the PA news agency.

There is a view to come back here next year but we’ll only trigger that once we’ve done the review. There is an aspiration from the Newcastle side to have us back.

“We’ve had a great weekend. The city centre has been busy, hotel and accommodate rates are high and so they are very keen to have us back but we need to do our own analysis and make a decision fairly quickly.”

It’s also been revealed that there has been interest from elsewhere to host the event.

“I had an interesting text from one stadium on Saturday saying they were watching and it looked great and they would be interested in having a conversation,” Jones revealed.

“It’s closer to the heartland and a stadium that we’ve been to before but, to be fair to Newcastle, they’re in pole position based on the number of years we’ve been here, the relationship we’ve got with the stadium and the way the fans just love coming to Newcastle.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/magic-we ... 023-55854/

[fozzieskem]

Just leave it at Newcastle,we all know how poor the anfield year was like it or not and yes it’s a hell of a trek it’s found it’s home in Newcastle.

[ian.birchall]

Just leave it at Newcastle,we all know how poor the anfield year was like it or not and yes it’s a hell of a trek it’s found it’s home in Newcastle.

Perhaps but Man City would be better and a lot cheaper weekend. Spread over the two days the overall attendance with the Hull and Wigan/stains derbies included are no better than a normal weekend.

[fozzieskem]

Just leave it at Newcastle,we all know how poor the anfield year was like it or not and yes it’s a hell of a trek it’s found it’s home in Newcastle.

Perhaps but Man City would be better and a lot cheaper weekend. Spread over the two days the overall attendance with the Hull and Wigan/stains derbies included are no better than a normal weekend.

Why?
Because it closer for us to go the Yorkshire mob would have a fair way to travel so it hardly makes it cheaper does it?

The city centre is literally on st James doorstep that just adds to its appeal let’s not forget while there was a number of Toulouse fans there they wouldn’t bring the numbers other teams would,have done all other magic weekends have had 11 sets of fans in decent numbers this weekend simply didn’t.

The expense is an issue but I’d sooner that than yet another trip to wakefields or castlefords tip of a ground,I’ll say it again I’m a fan of Newcastle holding the event they do it well and should keep it but that’s just me,but yet another game in Manchester holds zero appeal for me.

[Caboosegg]

Just leave it at Newcastle,we all know how poor the anfield year was like it or not and yes it’s a hell of a trek it’s found it’s home in Newcastle.

Perhaps but Man City would be better and a lot cheaper weekend. Spread over the two days the overall attendance with the Hull and Wigan/stains derbies included are no better than a normal weekend.

Why?
Because it closer for us to go the Yorkshire mob would have a fair way to travel so it hardly makes it cheaper does it?

The city centre is literally on st James doorstep that just adds to its appeal let’s not forget while there was a number of Toulouse fans there they wouldn’t bring the numbers other teams would,have done all other magic weekends have had 11 sets of fans in decent numbers this weekend simply didn’t.

The expense is an issue but I’d sooner that than yet mother trip to wakefields or castlefords tip of a ground,I’ll say it again I’m a fan of Newcastle holding the event they do it well and should keep it but that’s just me,but yet another game in Manchester holds zero appeal for me.

It's was brilliant when previously at Man City. The town has very good links to yourkshire by motorway and by train, for locals maybe less so but for visitors there's always stuff to do.

Newcastle adds addition costs to everyone where as Town near hotbed opens up to games to people struggling to justify Newcastle trips, be that Manchester or somewhere Yorkshire way (,magic weekend York would be good if they have a big enough venue.)

[medlocke]

Perhaps but Man City would be better and a lot cheaper weekend. Spread over the two days the overall attendance with the Hull and Wigan/stains derbies included are no better than a normal weekend.

Why?
Because it closer for us to go the Yorkshire mob would have a fair way to travel so it hardly makes it cheaper does it?

The city centre is literally on st James doorstep that just adds to its appeal let’s not forget while there was a number of Toulouse fans there they wouldn’t bring the numbers other teams would,have done all other magic weekends have had 11 sets of fans in decent numbers this weekend simply didn’t.

The expense is an issue but I’d sooner that than yet mother trip to wakefields or castlefords tip of a ground,I’ll say it again I’m a fan of Newcastle holding the event they do it well and should keep it but that’s just me,but yet another game in Manchester holds zero appeal for me.

It's was brilliant when previously at Man City. The town has very good links to yourkshire by motorway and by train, for locals maybe less so but for visitors there's always stuff to do.

Newcastle adds addition costs to everyone where as Town near hotbed opens up to games to people struggling to justify Newcastle trips, be that Manchester or somewhere Yorkshire way (,magic weekend York would be good if they have a big enough venue.)

Stadium of Light
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
London Stadium
Hampden Park
Ibrox Stadium
Celtic Park
Emirates Stadium

[EDINBURGH-WARRIOR]

As long as its not Elland Road . That stadium is the worst In the history of sport

EW

[First Try Tickle]

I would love to know what the maximum number of fans were in the ground at the same time. I know over 60,000 went over the weekend but how many watched all the games.

I do like Newcastle as the grey seats don't stand out and it doesn't look empty on TV.

But if i had to choose I would go back to Cardiff. I think the Welsh fans like their rugby and there is more chance of new fans. I know a few Newcastle fans and none mentioned magic weekend and nobody showed an interest in going. We need to be filling stadiums to promote the game, the grounds should be full and rocking and make people want to go.

[josie andrews]

I would love to know what the maximum number of fans were in the ground at the same time. I know over 60,000 went over the weekend but how many watched all the games.

I do like Newcastle as the grey seats don't stand out and it doesn't look empty on TV.

But if i had to choose I would go back to Cardiff. I think the Welsh fans like their rugby and there is more chance of new fans. I know a few Newcastle fans and none mentioned magic weekend and nobody showed an interest in going. We need to be filling stadiums to promote the game, the grounds should be full and rocking and make people want to go.

I must admit, I did enjoy Cardiff bang in the city centre as well just like Newcastle

[fozzieskem]

Didn’t go to Cardiff I have to admit so I’d welcome it going there,for me and I’ll say it again the event has found it’s home,the atmosphere I thought was bang on all day the weather helped of course but the games I saw where all pretty good to watch.

I get the feeling it will be back to Newcastle again next year,why the don’t give it a multi year deal defies logic to me,the crowd numbers where good,I’d say to the argue,ent of the “cost of living crisis”is this 62 thousand said let’s go,it’s good value and a fine day or weekend out.