Magic Weekend 2025

[Mumby Magic]

RL in this country falls short. We have events but don't know how to sell them or what to do with them.

We have the Magic Weekend and had the Summer Bash. Are they to expand the game, celebrate the game or generate revenue? Serious questions tbh.

You can generalise with the rest of the sport.

We have 2 showpiece finals. One at Wembley and one at Old Trafford. Probably the 2 most well known English Stadiums worldwide. We are lucky to have them. It's inexcusable we can't fill them for each event.

We don't celebrate or retirees snd seldom celebrate/commerate our deceased. There's do much we can do with our sport yet after the initial SL boost we find ourselves for the last 20 or so years tredding water yet again.

 

[ATLANTISMAN]

13 minutes ago, Just Browny said:

I'm putting Magic Weekend 2024 news in here and GJ can report me if he wants.

It seems that 50,000 tickets have been sold for this weekend. If correct, that will make for a decent atmosphere if not an inspiring number of sales. I am however always slightly sceptical of sales numbers when there are so many sellers, e.g. will some clubs have unsold tickets they return at the end of the week.

That would be an excellent result if correct.

Heard that worst sales are Giants.

[Dave T]

1 hour ago, Just Browny said:

I'm putting Magic Weekend 2024 news in here and GJ can report me if he wants.

It seems that 50,000 tickets have been sold for this weekend. If correct, that will make for a decent atmosphere if not an inspiring number of sales. I am however always slightly sceptical of sales numbers when there are so many sellers, e.g. will some clubs have unsold tickets they return at the end of the week.

From reading Rhodri Jones' comments it doesn't sound like 50k have been sold yet. He says "We'll be over 50,000" and then he goes on to say that this week will be a busy week for ticket sales. That suggests they aren't yet at the 50k.

Lowest crowds for this event:

Edinburgh - 52,043

Liverpool - 56,867

 

[whatmichaelsays]

30 minutes ago, Dave T said:

From reading Rhodri Jones' comments it doesn't sound like 50k have been sold yet. He says "We'll be over 50,000" and then he goes on to say that this week will be a busy week for ticket sales. That suggests they aren't yet at the 50k.

Lowest crowds for this event:

Edinburgh - 52,043

Liverpool - 56,867

 

There's also no way those 50,000 tickets are evenly distributed over the two days. 

25,333 (2022) is the lowest single day attendance, and that included a Hull derby. Surely that record must be under threat. 

[Anita Bath]

10 hours ago, Jparrish said:

I find it interesting that most codes in Australia have now adopted the concept in some way. The NBL(basketball) will launch their season using the concept for the first time later this year I believe. So thats League, Union, AFL, Football and Basketball it would be a shame to see the RFL bin it. Cities are willing to pay for the right to host though. 

The NBL version is called Hoopsfest and is being used to kick off (tip off maybe) the NBL season in Perth. It covers both NBL, NBL womens league and the community game. It follows on immediately from a pre season tournament on the Gold Coast called NBL blitz which includes all NBL teams.

I think that means each capital city except Hobart now hosts an “all in” round.

[shrewsbury roughyed]

If the event is really going to be pushed, I can’t understand why the Championship and League One (not to mention Conference) matches are taking place. Why not organise it so there’s a free weekend, freeing a number of supporters to come. There’s no way I’m missing Oldham at Keighley for MW. Also unless Elland Road has improved since I vowed never to go there again after watching GB v Australia effectively from behind a pillar (as opposed to behind a cushion- which might have been advisable given the score line) and it sling 2 hours to get out of the so called parking lot. Hate the place.

[Odsal Outlaw]

9 hours ago, Mumby Magic said:

RL in this country falls short. We have events but don't know how to sell them or what to do with them.

We have the Magic Weekend and had the Summer Bash. Are they to expand the game, celebrate the game or generate revenue? Serious questions tbh.

You can generalise with the rest of the sport.

We have 2 showpiece finals. One at Wembley and one at Old Trafford. Probably the 2 most well known English Stadiums worldwide. We are lucky to have them. It's inexcusable we can't fill them for each event.

We don't celebrate or retirees snd seldom celebrate/commerate our deceased. There's do much we can do with our sport yet after the initial SL boost we find ourselves for the last 20 or so years tredding water yet again.

 

I’d argue we don’t have any ‘events’ in rugby league. We just have matches or multiples of matches. We seem to have no idea how to create an event. 

[Gooleboy]

58 minutes ago, Odsal Outlaw said:

I’d argue we don’t have any ‘events’ in rugby league. We just have matches or multiples of matches. We seem to have no idea how to create an event. 

Plus the national media have little or no interest in RL. At one time the Challenge Cup Final dominated the newspaper back pges.

[The Future is League]

8 hours ago, Gooleboy said:

Plus the national media have little or no interest in RL. At one time the Challenge Cup Final dominated the newspaper back pges.

For all his faults Maurice Lindsay did make sure that the game got column inches in the nationals.

[Dave T]

13 minutes ago, The Future is League said:

For all his faults Maurice Lindsay did make sure that the game got column inches in the nationals.

As long as I've watched (40 years) , weve moaned that we never get coverage. 

[The Future is League]

1 minute ago, Dave T said:

As long as I've watched (40 years) , weve moaned that we never get coverage. 

Well we did get some under Maurice.

[M j M]

Has anyone suggested Headingley for the 2025 event? I for one think it would work really well - boutique ground, lots to do nearby and will build on the success and local interest in the 2024 one.

Edited August 15 by M j M

[fighting irish]

Why is no-one talking about Cardiff?

The location of the ground relative to the city centre is great.

The track record there has been pretty good, (it only dipped down after a year off).

The stadium is superb, all weather (with the roof) and it might just give the WRL a boost in participation numbers in the aftermath.

What's not to like? (Assuming that the stadium hire doesn't differ too much from the other candidates).  

[JM2010]

7 minutes ago, fighting irish said:

Why is no-one talking about Cardiff?

The location of the ground relative to the city centre is great.

The track record there has been pretty good, (it only dipped down after a year off).

The stadium is superb, all weather (with the roof) and it might just give the WRL a boost in participation numbers in the aftermath.

What's not to like? (Assuming that the stadium hire doesn't differ too much from the other candidates).  

I like this idea. Like you say, good location and could be used to help with the growth of Welsh RL

[Hopie]

1 hour ago, fighting irish said:

Why is no-one talking about Cardiff?

The location of the ground relative to the city centre is great.

The track record there has been pretty good, (it only dipped down after a year off).

The stadium is superb, all weather (with the roof) and it might just give the WRL a boost in participation numbers in the aftermath.

What's not to like? (Assuming that the stadium hire doesn't differ too much from the other candidates).  

Apart from the opening post and the article within you mean?

[ATLANTISMAN]

The reality is whatever the crowd and the spin Elland Road is a total backwards step.

 

[Just Browny]

3 hours ago, M j M said:

Has anyone suggested Headingley for the 2025 event? I for one think it would work really well - boutique ground, lots to do nearby and will build on the success and local interest in the 2024 one.

They'd have to have all six games on the Friday night as we know nobody likes going to Headingley in the daytime.

[fighting irish]

3 hours ago, Hopie said:

Apart from the opening post and the article within you mean?

I'm sorry matey, I hadn't even read the opening post. I picked this thread up late. I'll have a look. 

[chisholm]

If the RFL inform us early enough, I think Dublin would be a fantastic weekend.

 

[Wellsy4HullFC]

On 14/08/2024 at 13:08, ATLANTISMAN said:

That would be an excellent result if correct.

Heard that worst sales are Giants.

It's literally 15 miles or 20 minutes up the road.

How could they have sold less than London or Catalans?!

[17 stone giant]

I will definitely watch some of the Saturday matches on TV. I doubt I'll be able to see much on Sunday.

[OriginalMrC]

Well I consider myself a fairly clued up RL fan (most of the time!) but I have only just realised it's magic weekend! 

[LeeF]

On 14/08/2024 at 13:08, ATLANTISMAN said:

That would be an excellent result if correct.

Heard that worst sales are Giants.

Highly unlikely 

[JM2010]

22 hours ago, chisholm said:

If the RFL inform us early enough, I think Dublin would be a fantastic weekend.

 

I agree it would be a great weekend for fans. Depends what SL and IMG want to use Magic for. Is it just a weekend away for RL fans or to increase awareness of the game in targeted cities with a view to developing the game at community and professional level?

Edited August 16 by JM2010

[N2022]

I'll throw some (very) random options out there. Would love to know what people make of them.

Perpignan - fans seem to like it  extra trip for most or option for those who can't do.own club's away date there, core of home support

Nottingham - 2 grounds if you want, maybe join up with women's and / or championship fixturex and no prem RU to block it?

Belgrade - some interest there to develop, nice city/affordable. Could join up with a Serbia-Greece on the Friday night for early arrivals.

Swansea - the Gower / Mumbles very nice in summer, a bit of nightlife, reachable, maybe less so for Hull FC / KR fans.

Maybe ...