June 2nd and 3rd, Manchester. It should be decent weather and good crowds. www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... witterfeed

June 2nd and 3rd, Manchester. It should be decent weather and good crowds. www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... witterfeed

At last they've kept it within the heartlands and i reckon more will attend this than the other versions.

Agreed they will but most will attend their own match and go home. Some like sherbert may attend own match free then go home

Thought the whole idea of the Magic Weekend concept was the showcase the game and 'spread the word'. Manchester - how thoroughly dismal. St. James Park, Villa Park, Hampden Park - 3 venues far more likely to entice me out of my armchair. Or - here's an idea - Cardiff, just not at the beginning of Feb! The RFL really don't like Wales after all, do they?!?

I can see the idea behind it, but I'm not 100% a fan. I may go, because its a good opportunity to get to see a load of games I wouldn't normally have, but I can't see that it has the benefits that the previous magic weekends had, those being:
* A Day away
* Spreading the word to other parts of the country
* A big fat cheque from the city who hosts it in lieu of the boost to tourism that 50k people will bring.

I can't see how it benefits the game. Though the RFL may have decided that after the Welsh farce that expansion of the game should be shelved for a few more years

This smacks of one of those occasions where people have done something for a while, then lost track of the reasons they did it. This fulfills none of the purposes of the Magic weekend. I bet you that although the aggregate attendance may well be higher, the stadium will be mostly empty at any given time as people will just nip over for their own team's games. It is, after all, a shorter away trip than a lot of normal SL games.

Only my opinion, but this is now a total waste of time.

Also disappointed my "Ricoh Arena Magic" weekend hasn't come off......

I think the Midlands would have been a perfect venue. Some decent sized stadiums to fill. Not such a far trip that people won't bother. Close enough to do there and back in a day. Far enough to be worth a weekend. as well as a blossoming Amateur scene to support it.

I'm not sure what to think of this move. Despite attending most away matches i've only ever been to one Magic weekend, but I will definitely be attending this one. However I thought the whole concept was to create a unique carnival atmosphere...and this stadium location, without travelling into Manc centre, is not to be desired. I hope we get some good games on the date of ours otherwise I can see myself attending just for our game.

I can assure you that Manchester is a great place to have Magic Weekend. I live in Manchester and there is without a doubt an underlying interest in rugby league but no real knowledge. It'll be hard to crack through the football barrier but with the right advertisement and marketing it could be a great occasion. Many people would without a doubt enjoy the games and I'm sure it will be one of the best attendances at a magic weekend yet by new or neutral supporters

Oh well, maybe next time

I thought that as I was writing the post.

Depends what you want the Magic Weekend for.

Previously we've made a weekend of it. Won't be doing this time. No point staying in a hotel 56 minutes from home! So on a personal level I'm disappointed that I don't get a weekend away out of it. Will be going for our game, probably depending on scheduling catch another game or two that same day. No overnight though.

On an unselfish level... I think it's a good idea for the game in general. The crowds and atmosphere should be great and hopefully it will show off the game in a great light.

Do we have any idea on how the fixtures are to be decided yet?

Doubt I'll be going to both days next year with it being in Manchester - hardly a place where you can have a weekend away now is it?

With the amount of times this subject crops up, and the things I read about it, I have come to the conclusion that the RFL could give out 100,000 business class tickets to all Rugby league season ticket holders to fly to Australia, for the millennium magic to take place down under. They could then give 20 complimentary pints of beer to every supporter. They could also give 5 nights accommodation for 5 dollars at the Hilton per night. How good does it sound?

I could wager that someone out there would whinge.

The RFL can't do anything right, and I don't think they're as inept as some people on here make out.

I think it's a good idea, and they can assess if the concept of the Millennium Magic is still supporters by the fans after the event.

One game for me then off.

I intend to attend the full day when Leeds play, and take in all 3 games.

It may surprise some that I'm prepared to buy my tickets too, just like I did last weekend

I can see a boys trip being organized for the day of our game without a doubt

Hope the leg room is superior to the stadium home to the 2nd best football team in Manchester

I've been to every magic weekend to date and have thoroughly enjoyed every single one. Will definately be attending this one. They're such good value and you get to see games you wouldn't normally attend, it's also a great excuse for a lads weekend on the booze! The only bit aspect i disagree with is that it's an additional fixture in an already congested season.

Bugger all round the ground though I bet, except over priced RL tat and beer. Thought launching the season with a bang was the correct call IMO.

Who's bothered aslong as we get Bratfud again

errrm there is a great whacking big asda across the road if you want to do the weekly shop cheap food and warm beer



or the national cycling veladrome if you fancy a cycle



shall go for leeds day doubt do others since it is 30 mins up the road

Not for me. The first game of the season is often c[ir[/iap. Players take time to warm back up and it's normally crap weather to boot. I think having a "Show Piece" occasion with others from other sports hopefully watching, choosing the first game of the season isn't our best option. It's normally scrappy at best and un-watchable at worst.

May Bank Hol was the right time of year IMO, the rugby was much better by that point. I'm ok with this one too because of the Jubilee Bank Hol and the weather should be cracking.

In my opinion, last year started the season with a whimper. We looked crap against what turned out to be a 10th place Bradford side, and Wigan/Saints was nothing like the Wigan/Saints games later in the year. Some of the other matches (in particular Cas/Wakey and Catalans/London) were bordering on un-watchable even for the most hardened RL fan.

It wasn't anything like the "spectacle of RL" we all know it can be.

With RR on the plus side the standard of play will be better, plus there is the advantage that there may be less other sports in competition as its outside of the football season (though there are Euros)

Thank god, it looks as though they have decided that expansion to non league areas on a professional level does not work.