Super League will return to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2027, after a record-breaking attendance for this year’s event has seen the competition extend its stay in Merseyside.
It is the second time that the sport has used the venue as a facility, with the first usage being for the Ashes Series when Australia defeated England back in November last year.
After success in 2026, rugby league will return to the Hill Dickinson next year, with Magic Weekend set to be played on May 1 and 2, which falls on a bank holiday weekend.
Rhodri Jones, Managing Director of RL Commercial, has confirmed that the event will be played earlier in the year due to the stadium’s availability, but is certain that it won’t have any effect on the support of Magic, which this year has broken the all-time attendance record.
“We are absolutely delighted to be returning next year,” said Jones. “It’s been a record-breaking Magic WKND in 2026, and Hill Dickinson Stadium has been an important part of what has made the weekend so successful. We cannot wait to be back.
“…When we first started Magic back in 2007, we hoped to create something unique, innovative and compelling. It’s grown into a staple of the sporting calendar and a must-see event for so many, so much so that the NRL followed suit with their own version.
“Everton FC, with their world-class venue, have been superb hosts and it’ll be exciting to be back here for Magic’s 20th anniversary next season.
“There had already been lots of interest from other cities about showcasing Magic in 2027, but the event at Everton has worked so well on so many levels – for spectators, clubs, players and partners – that we were keen to continue the collaboration once more with them and Liverpool City Council.”
Magic Weekend 2026 breaks all-time event attendance
The RFL have also confirmed the crowd numbers for this year’s event, both for the individual days and the combined attendance.
A total of 77,442 fans attended the two days at Everton, with a further 5,483 attending the game between Catalans and Toulouse in Castres, France.
With a combined total of 82,925, that number is just short of 15,000 more than the previous highest attendance, which sat at 68,276 back in 2016.
In terms of individual days, Saturday’s four games had a combined total of 34,539, whilst Sunday witnessed 42,903 fans enter the ground for the three matches.
Sunday’s attendance is the biggest-ever single-day attendance, surpassing the previous record of 40,871 in 2015.
