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LISTEN: Can Magic Round ever work outside Brisbane or Sydney?

Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
14th May, 2019
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With the first-ever edition of Magic Round done and dusted, NRL CEO Todd Greenberg is calling the event a “wonderful success”.

134,677 people visited Suncorp Stadium between Thursday and Sunday to catch back-to-back rugby league action, with an average match attendance of over 30,000.

“The crowds have been fantastic and there has been a real festival atmosphere both inside and outside the stadium,” Greenberg said.

“With such a high percentage of people buying the three-day passes, it’s clear fans embraced the concept and wanted to watch multiple teams, games and days.”

On Tuesday’s episode of the Game of Codes podcast, we asked Roar rugby league Expert Joe Frost whether the NRL is correct to be pleased by Magic Round and whether it’s any chance of working outside of Australia’s rugby league heartlands.

Listen to the debate:

Brisbane is set to host the second edition of Magic Round in 2020, with an option to host it again in 2021 and 2022.

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NSW Sports Minister John Sidoti told the Sydney Morning Herald he is interested a push to host the event in Sydney down the track, with the NRL reportedly also considering locations such as Melbourne, Perth, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States.

Have a listen to the latest episode in the player above or visit our Game of Codes hub for a full list. Be sure to subscribe on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening – and don’t forget to leave a review.

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