Five possible venues for 2025 Magic Weekend revealed by RL Commercial boss

[josie andrews]

Rugby League Commercial boss Rhodri Jones has named five possible destinations that could host Super League’s Magic Weekend in 2025, including both Paris and Dublin.

Jones revealed the information when speaking on Sky Sports after the conclusion of the 17th edition of Magic Weekend, which some fans had feared could have been the last.

That fear originated due to the fact that the sport’s commercial partner IMG want to remove loop fixtures, which Magic Weekend is, however, Jones provided clarity on that situation.

Asked about the future of Super League’s showpiece event, Jones explained: “Just provide a bit of clarity around that, the IMG recommendation was to get rid of the loop fixtures but I think we probably could have been a bit clearer in terms of excluding Magic Weekend from that sentence, so the intention was always to continue with Magic Weekend.

“As always, we will always review it and not do something for the sake of doing it. So Magic Weekend is in the calendar for next year. At the moment we are in discussions with some other venues and Elland Road as well.”

Jones would go on to reveal which other destinations were in contention, even noting Paris and Dublin, which have the subject of recent reports.

Where will Super League hold Magic Weekend in 2025?

Following the confirmation that Magic Weekend will remain in the calendar for 2025, the next obvious question was where and that’s what Jones revealed was the “hardest bit”.

He told Sky Sports: “We know the fan feedback is a destination venue. We’ve got to put all the pieces of the jigsaw together and come up with a solution but we are actively looking at venues for next year.

"Where is probably the hardest bit. Depending on the time of the year and the availability of stadiums. One of the reasons why we’re not in Newcastle this year is the unavailability of St James’s but we have a good relationship here (Elland Road). They’ve hosted matches for us historically, so the relationship here is good. We’ve proved to them that we are an event that is worth having for them and for us as well.

“Newcastle, we’ve been there for seven years, so clearly there’s live conversation there, but we’ve opened the batting, as it were, with Nottingham, with Cardiff. We could discuss about Dublin and probably, in the future, who knows, Paris might be an option.”

Jones had earlier argued that the event was a resounding success with over 50,000 fans in attendance, however, the total across the two days actually marked the second-ever-lowest figure, whilst Sunday’s attendance marked the lowest-ever Sunday crowd.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/five-pos ... oss-96068/

[josie andrews]

Load of crap taking it to either of those venues!

Paris/France aren’t interested in RL, they didn’t even want to hold the Rugby League World Cup next year! Only in Catalan area is there any interest in RL

Dublin is either Soccer, Rugby Union or Gaelic Football. Another place where they aren’t interested in RL.

And if they use the same idiot who did this seasons fixture list, they need to get him/her some psychiatric treatment & not let loose anywhere near a Rugby League fixture list ever again!

[medlocke]

Wasn't the original idea of the magic weekend to showcase the sport in different cities every season, to expand the game.

[josie andrews]

Wasn't the original idea of the magic weekend to showcase the sport in different cities every season, to expand the game.

You can’t expand where there is & will never be an interest IMO

[moto748]

Sure. So Newcastle made sense. So did Cardiff, and maybe even Nottingham. But I agree with above posters that Paris, Dublin, etc, is just daft. They've been infected with the 'Las Vegas Disease'!

[southportcdm]

Looking at today's attendance figures we certainly shouldn't go back to Elland Road again. Everybody saw it coming but they went ahead anyway. I was hoping that when Everton get their new ground finished we could play there and I wouldn't have to rely on Northern Rail, a farcical company that poses as a public transport provider.

[Blackpool_Pie]

They should really have this in hand already and have announced where it will be next year at this year's magic weekend. It's just shoddy all round.

It's a shame their isn't a large stadium in Cumbria we could use because that's an area that really could do with a boost

[Ipinwigan]

Elland Road was always doomed to fail, not convenient enough for fans wanting to stay and do the weekend.
So it was either just turn up and watch one day, or not bother at all, and we couldn't be bothered.
In Newcastle and at the Etihad, we watched the full weekend and enjoyed the occassions.
Both cities have convenient hotels and a great city centres.
They have to place the Weekend, NOT WKND at a time when the football grounds are available, either in Newcastle again or the Etihad.
Non of this take it to France or Dublin crap.

[the pieman]

it was almost a car crash interview

we hit our attendance targets (lowest ever), so yet again the RFL have scored an own goal
we provided 6 games of RL for our broadcast partners - no sh** sherlock

we dont know where or when its going to be next year, but here is a possibility. Please no, surely you can see the fans didnt agree with it, so why go back there

I get some negativity towards Dublin, but trust me apart from the cost we'd be paying, there is appetite for RL over there. I've been working on a contract with a customer over in Dublin for just under 2 years, and whilst they are RU fans, they do have an appreciation / appetite for RL and many are quite knowledgeable

[EDINBURGH-WARRIOR]

Dublin is the biggest rip off city ever and I live in Edinburgh a place who knows how to rip tourists off .




EW