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Rugby League Commercial Managing Director Rhodri Jones speaks to Sky Sports to discuss the future of Super League's Magic Weekend; no decision yet on whether the Magic Weekend concept will continue into 2024

Magic Weekend could yet make an appearance on the 2024 Super League calendar, the head of Rugby League Commercial has told Sky Sports.

There has been a lot of speculation as to whether the event will continue to be a mainstay in the schedule following strategic partner IMG's recommendations that it be scrapped.

This weekend's event was the sixth-most attended since it's inception with a total of 63,269 fans flocking to the event across the two days, an increase of just over one thousand on last year's cumulative attendance.

With the fans "voting with their feet", Managing Director of RL Commercial, Rhodri Jones, discussed the future of Super League's mid-season event with Sky Sports and would not rule out incorporating the event into a revamped calendar.

However, if it is to stay, it must fit into a realigned calendar that has the Challenge Cup moved to a later date in the year - potentially pushing Magic Weekend back to August or September.

With such dates coinciding with the start of the Premier League season, it could rule out a raft of venues that have hosted the event in the past - including the 2023 venue St James' Park and the Etihad Stadium.

"As part of IMG's recommendations, our strategic partner, they came up with the recommendation that we need flow and peak in the calendar," said Jones.

As part of that, we were going to look at the format and the dates around the Challenge Cup. The Challenge Cup is likely to shift later into the year and therefore we have to look at alternative dates for the Magic Weekend.

"Secondly, we have to look a availability of venues. This club for an example, we could be looking at the start of the football season or the middle of the football season.

"There is a lot to look at and it is not just about Magic itself, it is about the calendar as a whole and trying to create a calendar that provides narrative throughout the season.

"There is appetite but we have to do what we normally do in post-event analysis and financial analysis."

Despite potential logistical challenges, Jones admitted there is "appetite" for the concept amongst clubs and fans that could strongly improve the chances of it continuing.

"We have to make sure it works for Rugby League Commercial and also the Super League clubs," he added.

But you can't doubt the success of this weekend which puts in good consideration for next year.

"The fans have voted with their feet which been fantastic."

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... 4-schedule

However, if it is to stay, it must fit into a realigned calendar that has the Challenge Cup moved to a later date in the year - potentially pushing Magic Weekend back to August or September.

As part of that, we were going to look at the format and the dates around the Challenge Cup. The Challenge Cup is likely to shift later into the year and therefore we have to look at alternative dates for the Magic Weekend.

And this IMO, is the problem with this situation! Challenge Cup or Magic??

So the powers that be want to appease Sky to the detriment of the oldest & most prestigious competition in our game.

How many players relish the chance to play in a Challenge Cup Final & that includes Aussies & Kiwis! How many times did you used to hear Aussies saying they would get up at daft o’clock to watch this final & would love to play in it?

Because the RFL have pandered to Sky over the years the CC is losing its identity. They keep moving it all over the bloody place. Traditionally it was always the end of May, okay we played winter rugby then but it can still be played at that time of year as it proved how popular Tottenham was last season.

Our governing body is, again IMO, ruining our game. Tail wagging the dog! They need to stand up to Sky & demand a much better deal. And keep the CC as a special competition & stop belittling it to a side show!

The CCF is dead and buried at Wembley or London for that matter un till they bring it into the 21st century . The whole thing is so dated that new generations of supporters are not interested unless their team is there . If a game in London gets a good crown it's because supporters from outside London have traveled because residents in London and Greater London are just not interested but don't let facts get in the way of a good old junket for the RFL fat cats

EW

EDINBURGH-WARRIOR wrote: ↑Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:44 am The CCF is dead and buried at Wembley or London for that matter un till they bring it into the 21st century . The whole thing is so dated that new generations of supporters are not interested unless their team is there . If a game in London gets a good crown it's because supporters from outside London have traveled because residents in London and Greater London are just not interested but don't let facts get in the way of a good old junket for the RFL fat cats

EW

Again I have to agree with you,the era of towns closing down because their team is in the final are long gone and most neutrals go to the magic or the GF (I go to that every year regardless of who’s there),IMG seem not to know their audience yet to big up their plans which so far has offered nothing new and came up with the cake topper of scrapping a weekend that bring in 60k plus each year,bar anfield of course,it’s bonkers.

EDINBURGH-WARRIOR wrote: ↑Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:44 am The CCF is dead and buried at Wembley or London for that matter un till they bring it into the 21st century . The whole thing is so dated that new generations of supporters are not interested unless their team is there . If a game in London gets a good crown it's because supporters from outside London have traveled because residents in London and Greater London are just not interested but don't let facts get in the way of a good old junket for the RFL fat cats

EW

I do understand what you’re saying, RFL fat cats on freebie weekend away! It’s dead & losing its appeal because of the way the RFL keep messing about with it.

It needs moving closer to home where it is at least easy to get to for fans & where it is central to other things before or after the game. That is where St James Park is ideal for its locality. The Ethiad has easy tram transport in & out of the city & there is plenty going on round old Trafford.