30 replies to this topic

[Wellsy4HullFC]

It's a pipedream, I know. But this is the Internet so it's OK to talk about it!

Say the RFL managed to get a brand new 50k stadium somehow (possibly a joint agreement with Leeds United or something for example, so it's straight off the middle of the M62). How many events could we realistically hold there that could draw some kind of crowd (and by that, I'd say 20k minimum so a bottom tier could be filled)? And how many do you think we'd need to make it viable?

If you look at other RL/football ground shares as a comparison, there are around 13-16 RL games per season compared to 19-28 football games.

All I could think of is:
World Club Challenge
Magic Weekend Day 1
Magic Weekend Day 2
England vs Exiles 1
England vs Exiles 2
Challenge Cup Semi Final (double header?)
Northern Rail Cup Final
Championship Finals
England vs 4N opponent
England vs Aus
England vs NZ
4N Final

Any others not on there? Any that you'd have elsewhere? Any new events you'd see?

[shrek]

How many stadium pies do you think the RFL should have there fingers in?

[Just Browny]

Not the Magic Weekend because ForeverTrinity won't go.

Erm, the Nines Competition? Pre-season Charity Shield?

I know it's only hypothetical but I suppose the worry is that RL fans would pretty soon get sick of the place, especially if their team developed a losing record there or, God forbid, if there was some aspect of the facilities that wasn't to their liking (legroom, parking, price of a pie, price of a pint, the look a steward gave them, location of the big screen, colour of the seats etc etc.).

Within an hour of opening you'd have the first trickle of people proudly declaring that they would never go again.

Edited by Just Browny, 05 April 2012 - 08:53 AM.

[T-Dub]

Id like to think that the RFL had agreed a clause whereby they could let Odsal to a rock concert promoter on one Saturday next season (when Bradford Bulls 2012 Ltd were playing away) - money for old rope

[Amber Avenger]

Wouldn't have Magic there - depending on where the stadium was I think it would defeat the objective of the weekend (if it was still about expansion of the game).

A charity shield is a good idea though - a season opener type deal, get a bit of exposure before the real stuff starts the following week.

[EastLondonMike]

I quite like the look of the listed events being held at an RFL stadium, as as has been mentioned it could also be used for staging such things as concerts etc.. the recent back and forth over the Olympic stadium in London between West ham and Tottenham (spits) had each club backed by a major international concert/event promoter. Something the RFL could look into partnering with for such a stadium, or even with the current stadia it owns ie Odsal

The idea of the Magic weekend being a vehicle for expansion has long since evaporated i think.

[superten]

It's a pipedream, I know. But this is the Internet so it's OK to talk about it!

Say the RFL managed to get a brand new 50k stadium somehow (possibly a joint agreement with Leeds United or something for example, so it's straight off the middle of the M62). How many events could we realistically hold there that could draw some kind of crowd (and by that, I'd say 20k minimum so a bottom tier could be filled)? And how many do you think we'd need to make it viable?

If you look at other RL/football ground shares as a comparison, there are around 13-16 RL games per season compared to 19-28 football games.

All I could think of is:
World Club Challenge
Magic Weekend Day 1
Magic Weekend Day 2
England vs Exiles 1
England vs Exiles 2
Challenge Cup Semi Final (double header?)
Northern Rail Cup Final
Championship Finals
England vs 4N opponent
England vs Aus
England vs NZ
4N Final

Any others not on there? Any that you'd have elsewhere? Any new events you'd see?

[TheDuke]

how about a flood lit trophy, or an all English trophy where ONLY english players played in it, a 32 club knockout competition, it could host the final

[Shadow]

parking, price of a pie, price of a pint

Parking and catering, see the codes are closer together than ever

[superten]

If we built a mini millennium stadium say 50k with roof events would be endless with all the big pop concerts .As for rugby league you would have to have all major finals there plus all England internationals.

[Just Browny]

Parking and catering, see the codes are closer together than ever

Apart from Paley, they wouldn't be parking a Range Rover though.

The RL pie would be more Pound Bakery than Harrods special preserve, and it would probably a pint of bitter rather than a Strawberry Fruhli or whatever unionites drink.

[shrek]

Id like to think that the RFL had agreed a clause whereby they could let Odsal to a rock concert promoter on one Saturday next season (when Bradford Bulls 2012 Ltd were playing away) - money for old rope

Indeed, at Haigh Hall in Wigan the council seem to be on a good earner, they let a promotor throw 2 gigs on the Friday and Saturday night of a weekend then on the Sunday have "Haigh Fest" were local bands who have won the right to compete get a 25 minute set as part of 8 hours of live music. The music promotor provides all the staff/equipent/staging/lighting and promotes the event, the council charges a £2 in, gets 8,000 turning up has zero upfront cost or risk and a great event for engaging with the local community.

Generates small change compared to an arena type act rocking up I know, but from small acorns and all that! Plus that small change would easily pay for the wages of a development officer for a year!

[Wellsy4HullFC]

If we built a mini millennium stadium say 50k with roof events would be endless with all the big pop concerts .As for rugby league you would have to have all major finals there plus all England internationals.

Couldn't have the finals at a 50k stadium. It's just too small. Keep them at Wembley and Old Trafford.
The semis being there should suffice. A double header in the heartlands should fill 50k easily within 3 years.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

Wouldn't have Magic there - depending on where the stadium was I think it would defeat the objective of the weekend (if it was still about expansion of the game).

A charity shield is a good idea though - a season opener type deal, get a bit of exposure before the real stuff starts the following week.

Agree with you about Magic. I just couldn't think of anything else to fill up the list.

Charity shield is very doable. Have the SL champs & CC winners play each other 3 times, and instead of playing the neutral game at the Magic Weekend, play it first game of the season as a big opener.

Forgot about the 9s as well. Good shout.

So that's 2 days of events gone and replaced by another 2, so still at 12.

Any more? Could do with a couple more I reckon.

[Just Browny]

SL play-off semis? Would be risky.

[Just Browny]

I do like the idea, but I think the thread shows it wouldn't work. EVEN if you had the finance to build it, to make it viable you would have to use it so often that fans of the top clubs would very soon get sick and tired of the place. Leeds or Wigan could play there 4 or 5 times a season, someone like Ryan Hall could play there 8-10 times!

[Black Country Wire]

It's a pipedream, I know. But this is the Internet so it's OK to talk about it!

Say the RFL managed to get a brand new 50k stadium somehow (possibly a joint agreement with Leeds United or something for example, so it's straight off the middle of the M62).

Wherever it is it needs to be within 10 minutes walk of a railway station.

Parking and catering, see the codes are closer together than ever

See above - would allevaite the parking issue.

Charity shield is very doable. Have the SL champs & CC winners play each other 3 times, and instead of playing the neutral game at the Magic Weekend, play it first game of the season as a big opener.

No reason why the Charity Shield couldn't be incorporated into the Magic Weekend.
Play it for league points as well as the CS.

SL play-off semis? Would be risky.

Agreed. Would eliminate the advantage for finishing higher up the table, which is essential IMO.

[Padge]

Not the Magic Weekend because ForeverTrinity won't go.

Erm, the Nines Competition? Pre-season Charity Shield?

I know it's only hypothetical but I suppose the worry is that RL fans would pretty soon get sick of the place, especially if their team developed a losing record there or, God forbid, if there was some aspect of the facilities that wasn't to their liking (legroom, parking, price of a pie, price of a pint, the look a steward gave them, location of the big screen, colour of the seats etc etc.).

Within an hour of opening you'd have the first trickle of people proudly declaring that they would never go again.

You forget the shape, dammit man you forget the bloody shape.

[Shadow]

Apart from Paley, they wouldn't be parking a Range Rover though.

True

would probably a pint of bitter rather than a Strawberry Fruhli or whatever unionites drink.

We drink The Official Beer of England Rugby

Edited by Shadow, 05 April 2012 - 12:20 PM.

[bearman]

The RFL have a ground in Odsal. If the worst comes to the worst it won't give any team home advantage either. They could even host Speedway as the corners are still turned up!