Those not familiar with the Magic Weekend, it’s a weekend where the complete round of English Super League fixtures are held at the one stadium over one weekend.
It’s time the NRL come up with a similar weekend. Every game at one venue on one weekend.
The NRL may wish to invite cities to bid for the weekend, both from Australia and New Zealand. The host city should be able to accommodate large volumes of fans, not to mention the 500 players and officials.
The hosting city stadium should have a capacity greater than 40,000. Think Eden Park, Suncorp, even the recently upgraded Adelaide Oval. Cities would fall over themselves to stage such a weekend.
The NRL should treat this weekend as a means of attracting new people to the game. In the build-up, teams should hold open training sessions and embrace the week.
As the Auckland Nines proved earlier this year, having each team in the one city creates a massive buzz, which rival football codes truly envy.
My Super Weekend
(All games broadcast live)
Friday
6.30pm: Gold Coast versus North Queensland
8.30pm: Manly versus Melbourne
Saturday
3.30pm: Canterbury versus Parramatta
5.30pm: Brisbane versus New Zealand
7.30pm: South Sydney versus Sydney Roosters
Sunday
2.00pm: St George Illawarra versus Cronulla
4.00pm: Penrith versus Newcastle
6.00pm: Canberra versus Wests Tigers
The NRL could take the Super Weekend to different cities each year. It’s a win-win situation for the NRL, the fans and the hosting city.
Hudson Burns
Roar Rookie
What if we had our version of the Magic Weekend split between QLD and NSW? Could see Suncorp hosting the three QLD teams plus NZ on a Friday and then Sydney playing the remaining games out of ANZ on Saturday/Sunday. QLD would have the capacity to sell out its games pretty easily, and with the right ticket prices get 90,000 at ANZ for the six other games.
Raby
Guest
Great idea - what a weekend of rugby league, it would be a massive boost for the game.
millsy of perth
Guest
How about the weekends after origin games? Thoughts????
Cowelly
Guest
Would be fantastic, but too many rivalries. The NRL wants those game on their own to make max revenue. Would love to see more double-headers first. Especially a big game and then a game that would usually struggle to get a crowd. eg: ANZ stadium Parramatta v Bulldogs Souths v North Qld