MARK APPLEGARTH isn’t worried that the excitement around York Knights’ Magic Weekend debut will have a negative effect on his players.

The Knights’ clash with Huddersfield Giants opens the jam-packed weekend of Rugby League, which will take place at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool for the first time.

Applegarth is excited for the history-making occasion at the home of Everton Football Club, saying: “It’s a good celebration of Rugby League.

“It’s a great occasion, and I’m really proud to be a part of it as York Knights head coach.

“I’m really proud to be kicking off the weekend of celebration as well.

“I think it’s a fabulous concept and something that we’ve built upon year on year.

“I’m really excited to be playing at a new stadium and seeing what that’s all about.”

Applegarth’s first taste of Magic Weekend came with Wakefield Trinity, who were comfortably beaten by Leigh Leopards at St James’ Park in 2023.

But he stressed that while the event is undoubtedly a great occasion for the sport, it is just another match for his side.

“It’s a game of Rugby League at the end of the day, isn’t it?” he explained. “But having all the fans together celebrating our great game, it’s a great occasion.

“From a coaching point of view or a playing point of view, it’s great to play in front of a big crowd, isn’t it?

“But from a coaching objective, it’s just another day at the office in terms of chasing that consistency in your performance and chasing that standard that you want from your own team.

“That won’t change, regardless of where we’re playing.”

While some of the club’s most experienced players are no strangers to playing at Magic Weekend, the event marks a new experience for many of York’s squad.

And though there is undoubtedly a buzz ahead of the event, Applegarth isn’t worried that it will affect his players in the build-up.

“It’s the same as we do every week,” he said. “Hopefully it’s an occasion that everyone enjoys. They’re the sort of occasions that as a player, you want to be playing in, enjoying the stadium and the experience.

“I don’t think that I’ve got any dramas there, but let’s not forget that players get paid to play Rugby League, and that’s where the focus has got to be, on the performance.

“I’m not too stressed about that. It’s more just as a team chasing that consistency in what we want to be about.

“That won’t change regardless of a win or a loss, just chasing that improvement in what we want to be known for.”