Rugby League fans have been debating what the best away day in the sport is with Magic Weekend getting lots of support.
The event, which has been a fixture in the rugby league calendar since its inception in 2007, has run every year, apart from the Covid-affected 2020 season.
Due to the increase in 14 teams and the removal of loop fixtures, the expectation was that Magic would be removed from the rugby league calendar next year, with the 2025 edition of the event in Newcastle set to be the last. That belief stemmed from the results of the strategic review, which appeared to recommend the removal of the showpiece event and loop games in general.
However, in what is great news for Super League, Magic Weekend now looks likely to be included on the fixture list once more in 2026.
Serious About RL understands that such a decision has the support of most clubs, who have made it clear that they would like to see Magic remain for 2026. The event provides clubs with marketing and merchandise opportunities and therefore it can be lucrative.
It appears that it’s not just clubs that want to see the event stay, but fans too, with many believing that the two-day spectacle is the best away day on the rugby league calendar.
For much of the last decade, the event has been held at St James Park with 2019 and 2024 straying away as the event went to Liverpool and Leeds, however, fans voted with their feet as attendances saw huge drops.
Anfield saw a total of 56,869 attend with Elland Road hosting just 53,103. Those figures mark the third and second lowest since the launch of Magic Weekend and the 2025 return to St James Park was met with an impressive crowd of 64,156, the highest since 2018.
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Rugby League fans pick best away day with strong support for Magic Weekend
There is still a massive appetite for Magic Weekend, as evidenced by the responses of rugby league fans when asked what their favourite away day in the sport is.
That’s something that Serious About Rugby League asked and whilst plenty of grounds were mentioned, Super League’s two-day festival was among the most common responses – some of which we’ve collated below.
Steve Gascoyne: Newcastle, it’s like no other. It’s one big family in rugby league. The city and locals are friendly and welcoming. All the bars are marvellous and loads near St James Park. A weekend not to be missed.
Michalia Soltan: Newcastle or Catalans.
Steve White: Surely has to be Catalans in the summer. Great weather and a few wines.
Matthew Smith: Always a good day out at Batley, a proper little ground with a terrific set up.
Mark Webb: Magic weekend by far, a great weekend meeting and watching great games.
Allan Bird: Warrington, I’m a Wigan fan but I can walk to the HJ in twenty minutes and it’s always a good atmosphere. I quite like Headingley too.
Mark Berry: We love it at Castleford. Brilliant little ground with bars, stalls, food stands, live music.
Louise Munro: Magic weekend or Catalans.
Jo Netherton: Magic Weekend at Newcastle, can’t beat it.
