Magic Moments...

The Magic Weekend in some ways was predictable. We know what to expect. A very similar number of fans were in attendance as previous years (around 62,000). There were some dramatic on-field moments, fans were in great spirits and a good time was had by all. See, predictable doesn't always have to be a bad thing.

What is also predictable is the annual debate about the future of the Magic Weekend. So I'll throw my thoughts into this already crowded field! Super League have hailed the event as a success and, whilst not fully committing, dropped a strong hint that the event will return to Newcastle in 2023.

The Magic Weekend was first held in Newcastle in 2015 and has hosted six of the last seven events, with a break for covid related reasons in 2020 and an unsuccessful experiment at Anfield in 2019. In some quarters, there has been a clamour for change. It's always the way in Rugby League, we plough through with change for sake of it, with an absence of thought of the consequences.

Elland Road in Leeds, Villa Park in Birmingham, King Power Stadium in Leicester, Ibrox in Glasgow, Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Windsor Park in Belfast., Stadium MK in Milton Keynes and Ricoh Arena in Coventry. These are just a few of the stadiums that I have seen thrown around to potentially host the event from fans. The debate is fine, but we need to put some greater thought beyond picking a stadium, picking a city and taking the show on the road.

We need to think about this more carefully. What makes Newcastle a great venue? The transport links are excellent. The stadium is in the middle of the city centre, with many bars, restaurants and hotels within walking distance. A short train ride away and you have some coastal holiday hotspots. The stadium may be slightly on the large side, but is largely in the right ballpark. If we were to move the venue, the first question would be what can that new venue offer that is better than Newcastle? Or are cries for change simply for the sake of it?

A stick often used to beat the Magic Weekend with is that it does little to grow the game, its original purpose. Whilst that would be great, maybe we should simply accept the Magic Weekend for what it is? It attracts a higher cumulative attendance than an average round, offers a great day out for fans (or weekend) and may attract some curious locals. I'd argue that Newcastle, with a second division team, has a greater chance of attracting local supporters than other venues without any Rugby League footprint.

A second criticism is that the Magic Weekend takes away from the Challenge Cup Final crowd. I remain sceptical of this. Do we really believe that if we scrap this event, that tens of thousands of our fans would instead go the Cup Final? Or would they simply keep their money in their pockets? The sport is more club-centric now. Our average crowds are far higher than the 80's thanks to season ticket culture. The Grand Final is a competing event. The lure of 'the north' going to London is no longer what it was. If we were to scrap the Magic Weekend, it is fantasy to suggest that this alone would lead to a Challenge Cup renaissance.

Where the Magic Weekend does fall short is a lack of organisation. We have no idea where this event will be next year or the year after. That should change. If we want to stick at Newcastle, then we should say so. Perhaps we could have a calendar, two years at Newcastle and every third year somewhere new? The approach to the event does seem to be made on the hoof.

But the Magic Weekend is a unique concept in British sport and shows the best of our game. We should be very cautious about scrapping it or making unnecessary changes. Often, you don't know what you've lost until its gone...