Six possible Magic Weekend venues for 2015
After the best Magic Weekend since its inception in 2007, attention has already turned to the 2015 event.
It will of course have one less game, due to the impending re-structure of Super League, and may take greater significance, given that the league will split after 23 games.
We don’t yet know whether Magic will come as the final game of the first part of the season, nor do we know yet where it will be held.
Expansion works are planned at the Etihad Stadium, which may mean it’s unavailable to host the weekend for a fourth successive year, so where else could it be held?
St James’ Park, Newcastle
A new city to take the event could be Newcastle. With the impending takeover of Gateshead Thunder by Newcastle Falcons, moving the Magic Weekend to the north east could give a massive shot in the arm to Thunder, as they look to kick forward following a turbulent 15 year existence which took in one relatively successful year in Super League back in 1999. The ground is big enough, with a capacity of 52,405, and the city is well equipped to host rugby league fans, as well as not being too far away for regular supporters to attend.
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
After successfully opening the World Cup with a well-attended double-header in October, the Millennium Stadium will surely be on the map for a possible third stint as host of the Magic Weekend. Prior to this weekend, the highest attendance had been at the home of Welsh rugby, who hosted the event previously in 2007, 2008 and 2011. There’s also the added benefit of the roof, which means that should the RFL want to return the event to the season’s start in February, they have that option.
Elland Road, Leeds
Probably not the romantic’s choice, but Elland Road has the capacity and location to almost guarantee a success in terms of ticket sales and popularity at least. Whether it ticks the boxes in terms of attracting new fans is another matter. The stadium has a history of holding big rugby league occasions of course, most recently the Four Nations Final and the World Club Challenge.
Olympic Stadium, London
How about this for a curveball – what about the Olympic Stadium? Due to host Rugby World Cup games in 2015, the main venue of the 2012 London Olympics will soon be home to West Ham football club. It has the location and the surroundings to match that of the Etihad Stadium, and would be a real opportunity to create not only an Olympic legacy, but a legacy to rugby league’s own World Cup.
Villa Park, Birmingham
The Midlands has always seemed to be ignored when it comes to rugby league expansion. There’s a big gap between London, and the next southern most team in Super League, which is Widnes. With Coventry Bears likely to be included in whatever make-up Championship One has next season, is it time for the RFL to start looking at the Midlands as a possible expansion area. The home of Aston Villa holds just over 42,000, surely enough to handle the Magic Weekend crowds.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
The Magic Weekend could yet still return to the Etihad. Discussions are ongoing regarding the timing of the event in 2015, and that may mean that the home of Manchester City is able to stage the event for a fourth successive year. There’s no doubting that it’s location, size and make-up is ideal for the event, particularly with the outside space for sponsor stalls, although sceptics still question whether it’s really far enough away from the heartlands to attract new fans to the game, something which was a key justification in the formation of the event some eight years ago.
Where would you like to see the Magic Weekend held in 2015? Leave your comments below.