A Different Kind of Magic

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The Magic Weekend returns to Newcastle for the first time since 2018 and after an enforced hiatus in 2020. The pandemic has shifted the event to later in the calendar and has shifted the significance of the event.

In May, the results at the Magic Weekend are rarely perceived to have an impact on the season as a whole. With just 3 rounds to go in 2021, this year it is different. 

On Saturday, Catalans face St Helens and, if the former win, their maiden League Leaders Shield will be all but secured. Hull FC face Leeds immediately after that, where anything but a win will end the black and whites' season. A similar fate awaits Hull KR on Sunday, their play off hopes being on the line against Leigh. Meanwhile, Wigan will play Warrington, if Wigan win then they will secure a play off spot after some late-season jitters.

In some ways, it is better. The matches and results at the Magic Weekend will directly feed into the outcome of this season in a way that they haven't before. The contrast is that Huddersfield's clash against Wakefield is now a dead rubber. Although to only have one dead rubber fixture with so few rounds to go is not a concern.

Hanging in the balance

Little over one month ago, I was greatly concerned about this event. With several matches in Super League being called off on a weekly basis, I feared chaos, postponements, last minute rearranging, furious fans and an important event descending into farce. Click on the tweet below to read my full thread on Twitter from July!

Since mid-July, coronavirus cases in England fell substantially, then flat-lined and over the last week, have started to fall again. At the time of writing, the nightmare situation of postponements have not arisen and rumours of covid outbreaks at clubs are thankfully absent.

I maintain my view posted in that Twitter thread that going ahead with the Magic Weekend was a major financial and reputational risk. With a weekend crowd of around 60,000 expected at St James' Park and a (likely) full schedule of fixtures, Super League's huge risk looks like it is going to pay off.

What does the future hold?

The Magic Weekend has always been held in May since its inception in 2007. The notable exception being in 2011, when, in what can only be described as a moment of hubris, the event was moved to February. The idea being to open the season with a bang. The reality being expecting fans to sit and watch 6 hours of rugby league in the coldest month of the year.

The delayed start to the 2021 season and the limitation on stadium capacities meant that this year's event was moved to September. May this be permanent?

In 2022, the Challenge Cup Final will take place on what would usually be the late-May Bank Holiday (although the Bank Holiday is delayed by a week next year due to the Queen's platinum jubilee). 

So the Cup final will take place in the usual slot of the Magic Weekend. This means that the Magic Weekend will have to move. This could be to early September again, fitting nicely in football's international break. It could move to a mid-summer event (football stadium availability permitting).

Change for this event is on its way. But it wouldn't be rugby league if we didn't make constant change, would it?

Time to enjoy the present!

There will be lots of time to reflect on the future of the Magic Weekend after this year's event. For now, let's enjoy the present! We have got several matches between evenly-matched teams to enjoy. We have got play off places that may be decided, teams who must win to keep their season alive and potentially a history-making moment, if Catalans can secure the minor premiership.

There is something great about a stadium in the heart of a city, just like in Newcastle, that takes this event to the next level. If you are heading to Newcastle this weekend, enjoy what is always a fantastic weekend!

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