I'm sure you are right, but won't most people who intended to go to Magic have bought their tickets already? if so, the RFL will still get the money, although granted the stadium will look emptier than usual.

TBH looking at the advanced prices I cannot see how money is the underlying reason for doing it. At least not in ticket sales.

The two Hull clubs are always well represented and create a big atmosphere. That's why you still play the derby every year while some of the other fixtures have been switched around.

As I said above, this is a unique situation as not many people would honestly have thought HCFC would get to the FA Cup Final. As they have though, kicking your derby off at the same time is ridiculous. Move it to the first game of the day, and push the previous two up one spot. It will get the weekend off to a big start with a high profile fixture and allow those from Hull in attendance who wish to do so time to go and find somewhere to watch the football. I'm sure in the absence of the Manchester clubs from the final, the local hostelies will appreciate the extra trade this will unexpectedly bring them as well.

Those going to Wembley will obviously not be in Manchester, but everyone else can enjoy doubling up. Those who want to enjoy the whole day of rugby without any interest in the football can still do so too. RFL pigheadedness will definitely affect the attendance if they do nothing though, as surely loads from Hull will simply not be watching rugby at 5pm.

One Direction are playing the Etihad 31 May - 1 June. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that stadium officials much preferred to have an extra week to prepare the stadium and what not, rather than just a one week turn around. The RFL may have had little option but to go with what they were offered.

What can the RFL realistically do about it now? They've had the fixtures out for a few months and fans would've bought their tickets and arranged travel accordingly. If they did move it to earlier or later in the day, there would be outrage on here from non-football fans. RFL are dammed if they do, dammed if they don't. Some people just like to have a pop. As for those hammering them for booking on FA Cup Final weekend, I'm assuming you're privvy as to the Etihad's availability on other weekends in May? Anyway, ticket sales are 60% up vs this time last year: www.superleague.co.uk/article/29 ... ic-weekend

What can the RFL realistically do about it now? They've had the fixtures out for a few months and fans would've bought their tickets and arranged travel accordingly. If they did move it to earlier or later in the day, there would be outrage on here from non-football fans. RFL are dammed if they do, dammed if they don't. Some people just like to have a pop. As for those hammering them for booking on FA Cup Final weekend, I'm assuming you're privvy as to the Etihad's availability on other weekends in May? Anyway, ticket sales are 60% up vs this time last year: www.superleague.co.uk/article/29 ... ic-weekend

The other thing which the RFL and Sky have maybe not considered is the fact that because it is such a unique event, Most, if not all the pubs in Hull will be showing the FA cup final, I would imaging it will be very difficult to find a pub in City that will be showing the Rugby.
The same will probably apply to most households so, the Sky viewing figures in Hull are going to be very much reduced at the very least.

Adding to that, nobody outside of the two Hull boards on here gives a damn it seems.

So it looks like the 'going head to head with the FA Cup' argument is also nonsense, as nobody really cares except those from Hull who are susceptible to bouts of internet outrage.

Sometimes in life, two things are on at the same time, you'll have to make a choice, deal with it and stop whining like children.

The. World. Doesn't. Revolve. Around. Hull.

Sorry to break it to you.

Viewing figures will be slightly lower for one game in the seven - that's it then, tear up the 7 year contract we have in place with SKY.

Yes you are correct, the world does not revolve around Hull, but it also does not revolve around Rugby league.
Given the fact that people across the country and in fact the world will be tuned in to the FA cup final means that viewing figures for at least two games on the Magic Sunday will me much reduced imo, compared to previous years, not just slightly as you have suggested.
Don't forget, millions of people like to watch the big build up to the FA cup Final which also clashes with the earlier MW games on TV .
As a few people on previous posts have commented, the event could have been planned for a different weekend subject to availability of course, it will be interesting to see just what other slots were available around this time of year .
As for your comment regarding tearing up the seven year Sky contract, stop been an hysterical drama queen, no one is even close to suggesting that, people are just asking for a little common sense from the RFL, which as quite often, seems to be lacking on this occasion.

I doubt very much that that was the only free weekend the etihad has this summer.

Quote ="Errlee Berd"What can the RFL realistically do about it now? They've had the fixtures out for a few months and fans would've bought their tickets and arranged travel accordingly. If they did move it to earlier or later in the day, there would be outrage on here from non-football fans. RFL are dammed if they do, dammed if they don't. Some people just like to have a pop. As for those hammering them for booking on FA Cup Final weekend, I'm assuming you're privvy as to the Etihad's availability on other weekends in May? Anyway, ticket sales are 60% up vs this time last year: www.superleague.co.uk/article/29 ... ic-weekend'" So it has to be in May? I wasn't aware of that can you point out where it says so in the rules. Thanks in advance.

Quote ="Errlee Berd"What can the RFL realistically do about it now? They've had the fixtures out for a few months and fans would've bought their tickets and arranged travel accordingly. If they did move it to earlier or later in the day, there would be outrage on here from non-football fans. RFL are dammed if they do, dammed if they don't. Some people just like to have a pop. As for those hammering them for booking on FA Cup Final weekend, I'm assuming you're privvy as to the Etihad's availability on other weekends in May? Anyway, ticket sales are 60% up vs this time last year: www.superleague.co.uk/article/29 ... ic-weekend'" So it has to be in May? I wasn't aware of that can you point out where it says so in the rules. Thanks in advance.

Three posts and you decided to only address that one sentence. Typical internet 'debate' right there mod.

It doesn't have to be in May (not sure where I said it did?), maybe the Etihad is free in June. The point I was making, which you missed, was we don't know if the Etihad was available at any other time.

"Thanks in advance" - wow. :/

It was the only sentence that was relevent the rest was all fair enough.
So you admit it's highly unlikely the RFL were stuck with just the one weekend then but chose to pick that one?
So one has to ask either they decided to pick the weekend of one of the biggest sporting occasions to go up against or they didn't realise.

That is either

or

you choose.

What is the actual point of Magic these days? Wasn't it originally brought in to promote expansion? :/

We simply don't know if any other dates were available. Hammering the rfl without possession of these facts is pretty narrow minded.

Well looking at what is going on at the etihad during the off season it seems there are plenty of free weekends. Strange that.
Still it can't be the RFL's fault so maybe the RFL made the deal under alien control and Man City are refusing to let them change it?

But all joking aside who's fault is it that they left it so late that they had their dates restricted anyway. I'll give you a clue their initlals are RFL.

No matter how you spin it the RFL cocked it up.

The ramblings of a despot.

I'm not trying to spin anything mr mod, merely playing devils advocate versus the one-eyed masses.

You've no idea, and neither have I, what weekends are free. Could the pitch be getting relaid in June for example, we don't know. It's not inconceivable that mcfc said that's the only weekend available, even if unlikely.

There is that reference to me being a mod again. I suppose you think it means something.............Anyway.

Thanks for agreeing that it is unlikely. So what we have learned is that it is likely the RFL have cocked it up and unlikely (As you put it) that they haven't.

How is it ANY concern of the RFL that some team from another sport is playing at the same time as the Magic Weekend? Why should other teams supporters change their plans to accommodate Hull City Tigers? Why isn't it the FAs fault for moving the kick-off from the "traditional" 3pm? Surely that would solve the problem. Get onto the FA.

Psst the kick off time hasn't it's been 5PM for a few years.
Still doesn't explain the RFL's decision to go head to head with it however.

What we've learnt is that neither of us, or anyone else, knows if the rfl had alternative date they could've used or not.

Whether they 'cocked up' would be based on having possession of these facts, which we don't, and is completely subjective.

Two bald men arguing over a comb.

Get your own 'kin comb

I e-mailed the RFL to clarify why Magic Weekend is not taking place over the Bank holiday weekend.This is the reply is recieved from Rob Porteous





Thank you for your email below and I’d be delighted to clarify the reason why Magic Weekend is being played a week earlier this year.



Due to the Football World Cup taking place Manchester City’s season finishes a week earlier this year. As part of their pitch maintenance they used to remove the turf after their last game however since 2012 they’ve delayed this by a week in order for us to be able to play the Magic Weekend fixtures. It is for this reason that we’ve had to move the weekend not because of One Direction.