I emailed both the Rugby League and the Etihad stadium with some questions regarding Food, Drinks, Passouts and Smoking for next weekends Magic event.
You will not be suprised to hear that the Rugby League did not reply but I did get a reply from the Etihad Staium shown below.

"Thank you for your email.

Due to stadium regulations you are unable to take food and drink into the stadium, however it will be available to buy within the stadium.

Alcoholic drinks are only permitted in designated areas and will not be allowed in the stands.

Unfortunately once you have exited the stadium you are unable to re-enter on a used ticket, and would require a different ticket.

As per the stadiums usual rules for football games, smoking is not permitted anywhere within the stadium.

I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may cause"

So no drinking in seats or passouts but the biggest issue for me is that families will be forced to pay the inflated prices in the Stadium to feed children. We promote the game as a Family Sport then do nothing to support the statement.
For some of the less interesting games I can envisage more people being on the concourse watching the game on TV having a drink than watching the game live.

Well, that's that sorted then. Just the Hull game for me. Was going to watch the first game, pop out for some food and to take the wife shopping, then go back for ours. Shan't bother now.

Made my mind up too. Just the derby and a hip flask

That is a bit rubbish.

Was going to all 3 Sat games, but not being able to leave the stadium at all, really does make that look a long slog. Especially with over an hour between games.
There is no way our 5 year old will stay in the ground for that long, without getting retless. Didn't the RFL say there was going to be entertainment in and around the ground? No good if you can't get in and out the ground easily to take advantage of it.
Maybe the RL didn't answer the OP, because they knew he wouldn't like their answer.

Seems very strange for a full day event.

£27 for a bottle of wine and £4.50 for a 500ml bottle of Heineken too or atleast it was at a Take That concert. Have fun!

It's a hell of a long time to have to stay in for sure. I'll think twice about seeing the first game now will get some lunch in Manc and aim to get in for 4pm kick off I think. Cheers for info Trawlerman.

It's terrible organisation not to allow people back in once they've left. Cas v Wakey is gonna look great on telly with 6000 people rattling around in the Etihad.

It makes it even worse having only 3 games on the saturday, so the gap between games is at least a hour.I think my minds already made up to go in the city centre for a drink and get back to watch the Hull game.

Rang up on Friday, and you are allowed only in the stadium grounds, leaving that area is not allowed. Stupidity.

Would have been so simple to stamp your hand on the way in and then used that to let you back in again while showing your ticket stub.

they just want you to spend you cash in the stadium as usual but it's just going to to be empty stadium for each match as fans won't bother going in.

Gandalf wrote:
Edinburgh Warrior wrote:Can we take drink to our seats ? . Unlike Old Trafford .

Yes you can.
I sent an email to the RFL to ask.
If I could get me email to work I would have posted the reply on here.


As I posted earlier.

The actual reply read

'Yes any drinks purchased in the ground can be taken into the stadium bowl.'


Seems to be conflicting veiws on this matter . Posted on another board the RFL seem to be of the opinion that you can take drink to your seats.

Needs to be confirmed by the RFL re passouts and drink regulations so fans know what the score is before they make plans .

Got to admit they were not actually going to the Etihad, having done the Cardiff (fantastic venue and organisation) and the crappy Edinburgh (rip - off) weekends.

Too many negatives given to us about the Etihad venue and prices.

To all who have never done the weekend before, enjoy it.

Cardiff looking good even now as permanent venue.....

Seems the original information is a little dud: www.therhinos.co.uk/news/19312.php "Pass Outs It is important that match tickets are retained after passing through the turnstiles; tickets will need to be produced for re-entry if using the pass out system A pass out/return system will be operated on both event days allowing spectators to move between City Square & the Stadium bowl - there is no limit on the number of times someone is allowed to pass out and re-enter."

Seems the original information is a little dud: www.therhinos.co.uk/news/19312.php "Pass Outs It is important that match tickets are retained after passing through the turnstiles; tickets will need to be produced for re-entry if using the pass out system A pass out/return system will be operated on both event days allowing spectators to move between City Square & the Stadium bowl - there is no limit on the number of times someone is allowed to pass out and re-enter."

My concern is the "no food" rule. I have to follow a special diet and I know that concessions within sports grounds cannot cater for me. I was planning to go for all three saturday games, but not sure I will given I will not be able to eat after 12 noon or before 9pm!! long time to go without any food.

Maybe the first post should be edited.

Nah, what's a little hyperbole and misinformation between RL fans, it's what we love.

Pretty certain they cannot discriminate against you for that reason. Mention the DDA if they do

Quote ="Mick Cranes Sidestep"My concern is the "no food" rule. I have to follow a special diet and I know that concessions within sports grounds cannot cater for me. I was planning to go for all three saturday games, but not sure I will given I will not be able to eat after 12 noon or before 9pm!! long time to go without any food.'" www.etihadstadium.com.au/entry 7.Management reserves the right to inspect any bag and/or articles of clothing for the following prohibited items: -alcohol - opened drink containers - cans/glass - [u[size=150commercially prepared food or beverage[/size[/u Surely that means Your home made food is allowed

Quote ="Mick Cranes Sidestep"My concern is the "no food" rule. I have to follow a special diet and I know that concessions within sports grounds cannot cater for me. I was planning to go for all three saturday games, but not sure I will given I will not be able to eat after 12 noon or before 9pm!! long time to go without any food.'" www.etihadstadium.com.au/entry 7.Management reserves the right to inspect any bag and/or articles of clothing for the following prohibited items: -alcohol - opened drink containers - cans/glass - [u[size=150commercially prepared food or beverage[/size[/u Surely that means Your home made food is allowed

That would be alright if he was going to the Etihad in AUSTRALIA

lol oops

Oh dear

Did the same myself when I was researching to go for a concert. Had me wondering when Manchester had re-located to Docklands



Pretty certain if Mick Cranes Side Step takes his own food for medical reasons he won't have it confiscated.

Taken from the FAQ's section:



[urlhttp://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/19312.php[/url

As my email from the Etihad Stadium started this confusion I will now reply to them attaching the links to the statements on the Rhino's and Bull's web site which contradict the information provided to me.
I'll let you all know the reply.