Magic Weekend recorded its second-lowest attendance in history this year at Leeds United’s Elland Road, just slightly beating that of 2010’s event in Edinburgh.
Sunday also saw the lowest day attendance in history.
This was the first time it has been at Elland Road, with previous iterations being in some of the country’s largest venues – and outside of the sport’s traditional heartlands, allowing fans to have a day out that they wouldn’t usually have.
However, for most Super League sides – especially those such as Castleford Tigers, Huddersfield Giants – Leeds isn’t a long way to go, and with Leeds Rhinos already a team in Leeds, it’s not even the only opportunity to go to Leeds to watch your team play away.
Elland Road is also a fair trek from the city centre and the train station for supporters.
Some have also suggested that low attendances can be in part attributed to the timing – as the school holidays mean many families were away on holiday over the weekend.
Serious About Rugby League asked supporters where they think the event should be held in the future, and here are some of their responses.
Super League fans on where Magic Weekend should be held
Credit: Imago Images
Some suggested a new part of the country should be explored, with the Midlands an option.
James Fee: Pride Park or Coventry, take it to the Midlands, maybe Villa Park. Also maybe do this on Bank Holiday Weekend if people aren’t showing up for Sundays games. With people not at work on the Monday, more might turn up.
Danny Mash Master Adams: Not Elland road, it was a shambles… St James Park all day long.. but if it was to be something different then maybe the Midlands. Make it affordable for proper fans.
Others suggested a venue that would certainly be a popular location to visit.
Danny Mole: Got to go to a smaller venue like Blackpool,will generate a brilliant atmosphere
David Burns: Newcastle or Blackpool
Ema Louise: Blackpool, Broomfield road !!
This is where the Championship’s ‘Summer Bash’ was held five times.
Despite this being a fun idea, the capacity of 16,616 makes this an unlikely location in the future.
Not everyone believed it needed to be a brand new location, however.
Richard Ellis Crawshaw: Newcastle. It’s become the home of magic weekend. The location of the stadium is far better.
Margaret Dainton: Newcastle. Have been to all venues and this is by far the best.
Credit: Imago Images
Ad Brearley: Not that “they’ll” be reading this, or if they do they won’t give a toss anyway, but why do us fans not matter? Even Jon Wilkin made sense here, fans are paramount. Newcastle is the answer. RFL happy that we’ve sold 10,000 tickets approx, less, says everything you need to know about why this great sport is where it is
Lynn Hall: Where it works…Newcastle
As well, as Newcastle, a return to the Etihad in Manchester was suggested by a few.
Sue Wilson: Get it back at the Etihad Stadium! Manchester is the best location.
Jenny Marie: Etihad 100%
