Newcastle prepares for Magic Weekend

More than 60,000 fans will converge on St James’ Park across two days this weekend to celebrate rugby league’s annual festival, Magic Weekend.

It is the eighth time Newcastle United’s ground has hosted Magic Weekend since its first time ten years ago and it promises to bring an additional £8 million to Newcastle’s economy over the May Bank Holiday period.

Magic Weekend sees all 12 Super League clubs compete at St James’ in a round of Betfred Super League fixtures across two days, with three games played on each day - and organisers are hoping to attract the event’s highest crowds for more than five years.

The opening day of this year’s Magic Weekend - every minute broadcast live by SkySports - starts with a clash between Leigh Leopards and Catalans Dragons at 3pm tomorrow, followed by Super League leaders Hull Kingston Rovers versus Salford Red Devils at 5.15pm and closing with the St Helens and Leeds Rhinos clash at 7.30pm.

Sunday’s fixtures open with Huddersfield Giants against Hull FC at 1pm, with Wigan Warriors taking on Warrington Wolves at 3.15pm, and the weekend closes with Castleford Tigers versus Wakefield Trinity at 5.30pm.

First held in 2007, Magic Weekend returns to Newcastle after a one-year hiatus having previously played hosts in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 and the city is undoubtedly a popular destination for rugby league’s faithful fans of all colours.

The format has proven so popular that it has been copied around the world, most notably in Australia where the NRL hold an annual four-day Magic Round at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

NE1, which represents the interests of more than 1,300 businesses in Newcastle city centre are sponsors of Magic Weekend and chief executive Stephen Patterson said the event has helped but the city on the sporting map - for more than just football.

He told Bdaily: “We are really excited about Magic Weekend’s return to Newcastle this weekend, the city is Magic’s adopted home. 

“This is the eighth time we have hosted the event, and we are ready to roll out the famous Geordie welcome to the tens of thousands of travelling rugby supporters and the growing number of rugby league enthusiasts here in the city.

“Newcastle will be in full carnival mode for the two-day sporting festival, with so much action both on and off the pitch. There will be 12 teams, 6 games and an expected audience of over 60,000 throughout the weekend.  

“Magic Weekend is renowned for its carnival-style atmosphere, as well as the six huge Super League clashes in the stadium, a large fan zone at Strawberry Place will provide live entertainment, interactive games, food stalls, and an amazing experience for people of all ages.  

“Magic Weekend demonstrates Newcastle's ability to put on a great show and host major national sporting events in the heart of the city. 

“The event is great news for Newcastle, with hotels, restaurants and bars all busy catering for travelling fans, with shops also benefiting from an uplift in business. 

“In total, Magic Weekend is expected to deliver a £6 to £9 million boost for the local economy. 

“This year, we’re hoping for one of the highest attendances in the event’s history and an economic uplift to match. We are gearing up to deliver one of the best Magic Weekend events in history.”

One man who is looking forward to the occasion is Hull KR’s Newcastle United-daft Sam Luckley, who will fulfil the boyhood ambition to play at St James’ - even if it is with the wrong-shaped ball!

He said: “I am delighted to be back in Newcastle. I am absolutely buzzing.

“It was my childhood dream to play here at St James' Park and I have been lucky enough to do it quite a few times now.

“Every time just gets better and better and I have had this marked on my calendar for quite some time.

“I reckon that was one of the best days of my life. I nicked the match ball as well and gave it to my mum and told her to take it home and it is in my cabinet.

“Scoring that then after the game coming down to see my family and everybody is crying. It means more than just to myself.

“My mum and dad are Geordies and they come to the football all the time, so it is one for us all really.

“I was actually a canny good footballer but I just kept getting bigger and slower so I am glad I can play here in a different sport but I never would have guessed it would be rugby league.”

Heading into Magic Weekend, Luckley’s Hull KR are Betfred Super League leaders on 16 points, two ahead of Wigan Warriors.

In third are Challenge Cup semi-finalists Leigh Leopards, who have never lost at Magic Weekend.

Hull FC are in fourth after a disastrous last season and will be looking to overcome Huddersfield Giants, who have yet to win this season.

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