I think it's a great idea to play it at hopefully a packed stadium up here. It was mentioned during the Magic weekend last time around that the novelty was wearing off, so I think a year or two without being a weekend away for most will re invigorate the idea once it does return to Cardiff/Edinburgh.

Quote RED FLAG RISING="RED FLAG RISING"MANCHESTER menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... manchester'" Do these people not understand that the event is in Cardiff because Cardiff and the Welsh tourist board pay the RFL to host it there? If a venue in Manchester was willing to put in a bid that matched or exceeded the Cardiff bid, then I'm sure that the RFL would consider holding it there. But getting a bunch of dinosaurs to talk about 'looking after real fans' isn't doing any favours to anyone.

Quote RED FLAG RISING="RED FLAG RISING"MANCHESTER menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... manchester'" Do these people not understand that the event is in Cardiff because Cardiff and the Welsh tourist board pay the RFL to host it there? If a venue in Manchester was willing to put in a bid that matched or exceeded the Cardiff bid, then I'm sure that the RFL would consider holding it there. But getting a bunch of dinosaurs to talk about 'looking after real fans' isn't doing any favours to anyone.

This.



Not all of us can afford the weekend, or get time away, or even want to travel so far every year. I've wanted it at City Stadium for a long time, a big crowd, handy for all heartlands supporters, plus it's dead easy for me.





Much better to have 40,000+ each day in a 47,000 capacity stadium, than 20-30,000 each day in an 75,000 capacity stadium.



I realise Tourist Boards pay a certain amount for the privilege of allowing hotels and pubs to inflate their prices as RL fans flock to town, but we have to ask what the purpose of the Magic Weekend is? Limited numbers of locals attending the games? Profit for the local area? Or a showcase event?

The 'purpose' is that it makes a profit for the RFL and more importantly is a great event to attend. In any other sport, this would sell out every year. In RL, we get people say at home moaning that empty seats look bad on TV.

Hold it wherever Headhunter tells us to and make sure it is to his exact specifications because he is an uppity soul.

Brilliant news! packed stadium instead of half empty one, and only over the pennines

As long as there isn't a clash with a Leigh game then I'm planning on being there and I'm sure it will be attractive to neutrals and potential fans alike, particularly given the time of year and Bank Holiday weekend aspect.

Guaranteed lower crowds than any other year as people will watch their team and then leave. Utterly stupid.

removes a quite a lot of the point of having it to be honest. Cant see why 80k people with discounted tickets watching at the Ethiad is better than 80k people paying full price for tickets in the clubs own stadiums.



Most RL fans live within about 60miles of Manchester, who will be tempted to travel their for the weekend when they can go, watch their team, then go home again?



We arent going to get the games played in a packed stadium because people will simply leave after their game has been played, at least Cardiff and Edinburgh being so far away caused the audience to be a little bit 'captive'.

nah... ive been to edinburgh, cardiff (twice) and only stayed the one day...didnt leave after my game finished and cant see me leaving just because its closer too home, if anything you would stay because you dont have the 4 hours journey to get home!

Worth considering that, presumably with a bigger crowd, the best seats will go much more quickly so people might arrive much earlier for the games prior to their own team to secure a better spot etc? I think the lack of travelling will also mean people will be less inclined to try and get early dart as the day goes on.

having it in manchester will be a good thing as its not far to travel and still have all the super league teams having more supporters there and i reckon lower league teams will come as well like swinton leigh halifax all local fans will be there