The rugby league community was divided on whether the NRL’s inaugural magic round concept at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane would be a success.
There were concerns about crowd numbers, if the condition of the ground can withstand eight back-to-back games and general interest.
The concept was borrowed from the English Super League and while it had proven to be a success across the pond, fans in Australia still had their reservations as to whether the NRL could pull it off here.
Now, with the weekend run and done, we can see that all concerns were blown out of the water. Almost 135,000 fans filed through the gates over the four days, many of whom travelled interstate as well as from other countries including New Zealand and the UK.
There was a festival-like atmosphere in and around the ground, jerseys from all 16 clubs being worn at any given game and all over the city.
Fans not only got to see their team perform, they had the pleasure of watching some of the game’s superstars live in action such as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Latrell Mitchell, Damian Cook, Jason Taumalolo, Kayln Ponga and many more.
Dylan Walker of the Sea Eagles (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
It was reported by the NRL that approximately 10,000 children were engaged over the four days through schools and junior club visits by NRL players and there were several other initiatives to promote to the game.
The ground, although well worn, held up quite well after eight games. Despite the large injury toll, many of those injuries can’t be attributed to the pitch conditions.
It was a big financial win for the eight clubs who had to move their home game, earning up to five times more than what they would have made had they played at home.
The Queensland government reportedly generated $20 million from magic round, a financial windfall after they paid $2.1 million per year for 2019 and 2020 to host the event.
They, as well as other states and perhaps other countries, will likely enter a bidding war to host the event in the future.
Holding the inaugural magic round in Brisbane was always a safe bet for the NRL and on the back of its success, the concept will continue to be a huge celebration of rugby league for years to come.
The NRL should look to see which areas of the concept can improve, including doing a deal with Channel 9 to scrap the Thursday night game, perhaps look at a long weekend with a Monday public holiday and strategies to encourage even more fans to attend.
If next year’s event proves to be a bigger and better spectacle than this year, it will be a huge marketing tool for the NRL to promote the game, should they look to take magic round to possible expansion areas such as Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne or New Zealand.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Wrong.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
People... only in Sydney. They don't turn up when it's dry. You're over exaggerating.
John
Guest
You also have concerns over the playing surface lasting for 8 games if it rains.
Paul
Roar Guru
If anyone's making an issue, its you.I merely asked a simple question and you've turned it into a major production. People do not turn up to watch League games when it is raining in this country in anything approaching the same numbers when its dry, one off games excepted.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Yeah had a kick. Defo looking forward to next year and the boy's mate and his dad are going to come with us. What great atmosphere it was around the whole precinct. My son asked if can walk down Caxton on Origin night!! I am undecided on that one.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
People are tough Paul. I'm certain 50% of people aren't scared of the rain. You're making an issue out of nothing. Do you think the grand final will only be half full if it was raining? The answer is NO.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Each of the 8 home clubs that gave up their home ground received $270,000 each. Not having to pay rent, security staff etc out of the takings. You can draw the same crowd, but it boiled down to money provided by an outside source aka Qld Govt. No wonder they want to have it next year.
Paul
Roar Guru
You're completely missing the point Ethan. How many people physically turn up to a rain affected League game? I'd guess less than 50% of what you'd get without rain. This means everything drops off, sales of food & drink at games merchandise and the whole atmosphere is depressed. You then suggest people would attend events in the rain when the footy's not on. They're only going to do that if these events are held indoors. So what entertainments could people attend in Brisbane if they weren't at the footy and it was raining - plan B? You also think financially rain would be no issue. I'd bet organisers would find it was a complete disaster as most would have insurance, so would get their ticket money back, but would also vote with their wallets and not buy tickets for future events held a the same time of the year until they were sure there'd be little or no chance of bad weather. One last simple question, how many games of League have you gone to when it's been pouring rain? I remember a few that I attended and wouldn't do it again out of choice.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Most of the sad sack fans complaining about magic round are from sydney, as if they've been negleted somehow because the event was in brisbane
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Such a bizarre question... why would they have a plan B if it rained? Rugby league is still played if it rained. Activities outside the stadium would still happen. People can wear raincoats and use umbrellas. People still sit in the stands if it rains. Tickets were already pre-sold so financially they wouldn't have been effected. Plenty of undercover at the stadium. Sporting events, festivals, big events, grand finals, state of origins don't get postponed because of a bit of water trickling from the sky
Paul
Roar Guru
The other point I wanted to raise was the weather. Did the NRL or the organisers have a plan B if it rained? The whole concept is completely about generating excitement and a carnival type atmosphere which is next to impossible if the heavens open. There was a taste of what this concept could have been like when it did rain, with stands appearing near empty. Luckily it wasn't for long, but.... That's not only at the game but across the whole city, where Brisbane wants/needs people walking around and spending money if they're not watching the footy.
Paul
Roar Guru
The only downside I and my mates found, watching the games on TV only, was a lack of atmosphere at times. There was not a lot of crowd noise with some of the early games; you know, that buzz that happens at games, particularly at suburban grounds. I've no idea what the reason was for this lack of noise, but it was almost silent through passages where not a lot was happening. I'm sure it was different at the ground, but disappointing on TV.
Nat
Roar Guru
Good job Spud, I had a great time as well and looking forward to next year. Did you have a kick at the goal for GF tix? Over the posts and through the hoop? Next year your boy will be able to experience the Caxton and Lefty's, maybe even HoneyBee's...
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Add the $2.1 million by the QLD Govt (per year) which I assume is divided up?
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Jimmy there are always people looking for negatives.
Dracula
Guest
On a serious note, could someone with an accounting background please tell us how the Magic Round Concept is more profitable for Clubs ? An article on NRL.com states that Clubs banked "five times" their usual weekly revenue. They say that 134,677 fans attended Magic Round, which equates to an average of 16,835 fans per match. But a regular NRL round draws roughly the same average crowd. Does the increased profit come from the Stadium having reduced rental fees ? Or, is the real Magic Round average actually higher (up around 20,000 per match) due to some tickets being multi-game passes ?
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Spud ,I think your view is the common one. It got people talking about RL again. Everyone I talk to who went , like you ,seems to have had a great experience in Brisbane. The crowds were good as well. I just don’t understand the knockers. I give credit to the nrl for this initiative . It’s what the game needs . Smart marketing initiatives to grow the game. Well done.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
I travelled up from Sydney with my 17 year-old son and had a fantastic time. It's a great concept that needs to be repeated. I'm happy with the Thursday night as the plate of garlic bread before the feast begins. I think it could work in Sydney when alliance is finished but personally I hate going to grounds that aren't built for rugby league. So that rules out a lot of "offline" locations. Anyway as soon as the dates for 2020 are released I'll be booking.