Terrible decision once again by people who seem determined to ruin our game. I'd have gladly gone up to Newcastle for the weekend, it's great there's plenty to do near the groud and it's a great weekend. Won't be going to Leeds, Elland Rd is crap, there's nothing near the ground. Least I've saved a few hundred quid.

Has anyone seen any post that think it's a good idea, maybe Leeds fans, looks a really backwards move IMO.

I’m a Leeds United fan as well but it’s a terrible decision to host magic at elland road. On the flip side FC have some great memories there from the 80’s.
Will probably go for a day out.

Sheffield Uniteds Bramhall lane ground would have been better location. Short walk from train station plenty of bars around the area. Ideal ground capacity size too.

It actually feels like the sport is being sabotaged the management is so poor.

IMG said don't have a Magic weekend, SL chairman ignored that...they then move the CC Final but seemingly didn't consider that hosting a Magic Weekend in August cuts down the stadium options??

Elland Road is run down and out of town and I'll most likely just go there and back for Hull's game, instead of making a weekend of it.

The Championship tried moving it's Summer Bash from Blackpool to Headingley and York and it didn't work, fans want a weekend somewhere different

Good post that for me, and it raises an interesting point on IMG. First we make the decision to bring in one of the worlds top sporting consultancy firms which had to be applauded all round. We did it as a game, we said, for them to have an over view of the whole sport and make global sporting management decisions to hopefully rejuvenate our game, which the clubs said they would buy into wholeheartedly. Of course they would!!!!

However, then as soon as IMG make decisions that are for the most part eminently sensible to the fans, but that don't suit the owners, the club chairmen (worrying about being marginalised in the decision making process and losing the sovereignty they have enjoyed for so long; not to mention some income) go against the body they have paid to recommend a way forward!!

It's typical of the parochial way our game is run. The SL Clubs almost all approved the no relegation bit that cut the championship clubs adrift, cos lets face it, secretly which owner beneath say the top three Clubs is going to want it. They all talk about the benifits of relegation and promotion and how good it is for the game, providing of course it isn't them that's involved in it. That decision suited them, this one didn't.

Sadly there will be much bigger and more unpalatable decisions to make if our game is to regain the status it deserves and I wonder to be honest how long IMG will stick around having their independent globally accepted initiatives for the game knocked back by the owners when it doesn't suit them. (for as long as we keep giving them shed loads of money to make decisions that the game turns down, I expect many of you will say)

Elland Road is a poor decision all round really, as it cranks the profile of our game down another notch as far as national recognition and exposure for the sport is concerned. Magic as an almost unique concept, being held far away from the heartland with the raised profile that gives was attractive to the uninitiated and casual viewer, but it saves the clubs travelling expenses and might attract a few more ticket sales however, for me, the weekend will go the same way as the Summer bash for the reasons outlined above.

Im also expecting us to be shoved on first to fill the ground up, given the short travel disrance and London will only take a car full regardless. 1st on Saturday would be better than last on Sunday yet again though.

First game on the Saturday feels a given. Will be watching our game and heading straight back to Leeds City Centre.

It will be poorly attended and rightly so, will give RFL/IMG the excuse to cancel MW as an event and that will be the end of it.

Saturday:

Hull FC v London
Wigan v Saints
Warrington v Leeds

Sunday

Leigh v Salford
Catalan v Rovers
Huddersfield v Cas

At least we are on the busy day, good chance of it selling out. 38k is about the level they sell on Saturdays.

Interesting that they've got the top 5 teams in terms of attendances on Day 1.

Fixtures look massively lopsided. Saturday could be a sell out. Good look on the Sunday though

Think would have leeds on the Sunday to fill the ground more as you'd expect them to have atleast 10k plus alone

Rhodri Jones


Has this man had his eyes plucked out !

Yep I agree the fixtures seem to have all the big hitters in terms of fans on Saturday with only Rovers and possibly Cas and/or Leigh turning up on the Sunday. Can see Sunday looking very empty given the lack facilities and possibility that not many fans will be able to sit through more than one game in the cramped seats even on the Saturday. Think a large number of fans will probably just go for their own clubs game then go home.

roughly translated too....."this is the cheapest we could get, we don't care about fans opinions, so like it or lump it!"

I guess our last game at Elland Road was the Cup semi final replay in 1988? Beaten 3-4 by Halifax after the 0-0 draw at Headingley.

seems the IMG speadsheets and their think tank have got it spot on and well balanced

I have never bought into the Magic Weekend and only been once to the Etihad. It'll be gone in 2025, I hate Elland Road the leg room in al the stands is none existent, however I was there this season for the the LUFC v Huddersfield game and there does appear to be safe standing in the Kop, so ill buy a ticket for the Saturday and go to the FC game and then scoot home to Pudsey.

We need to go to 14 teams ASAP, ditch the loop, ditch Magic and promote the CC and International game IMO

14 teams didn't work last time people moaned about not enough quality for 14 teams

Also loop fixtures has happened for years going back to early super league days

Magic weekend is good but has to be done if non heartland areas to promote the game and make locals know about RL

Challenge cup super league teams need to be entered earlier

Absolutely huge in the list of events now for the NRL. Went for the first time this year with a group of fellow Penrith season ticket holders and loved the 3 days. Attendance averaged almost 50,000/day and the atmosphere was superb. Have recently left the Penrith area to live nearer the Queensland border so will continue to go to the event while I am able to.

The definition of polishing a turd..

It’s a shame Pearson is a lone voice in advocating for a 14 team league.
I understand the quality isn’t there yet, but a 12 team league is staid and uninspiring.
The game is at a real crossroads, and you can’t be confident the game will make the right decisions.

The NRL host it right in the heartlands, but a big difference is Brisbane is a top ground, unfortunately the M62 doesnt have a big top quality ground (the Etihad is closest, but frustratingly RL doesnt cross over the Salford/Manchester) so we've instead tried and failed to use it to break into new markets.

The whole concept has got muddled, it now appears just to be rinse the existing fans with another loop game and give SKY a full day of TV. The attract new fans and put on a festival feel has gone out the window.

Jealous! - My favorite place in Aus. We bought a House on the Gold Coast about 25 years ago,
intending to retire there - sadly never happened & we sold it a couple of years ago.
On the downside Freddie, it's a bit of a trek to see the Broncos & the Titans are a big step down from the Panthers!