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'Bit cold for me'? What is it with RL fans? RU 6 nation fans don't seem to have any worries about that time of year!

Its a great idea. A real big bang of an opener as opposed to the complete mess of a disjointed opening round as we've seen in the last few years.

There won't be any pre-season feel to this George. Especially if there is a decent crowd, which lets face it, there should be!I went to the first 3 magic weekends and couldn't be bothered for the fourth. But this one has really got me going!!! Bring it on!!!

I agree that it may have a pre-season feel to it for the fans, BUT if the coaches and players allow it to get that way and forget that 2 valuable points are at stake then that is their fault.

Not too sure about "the players return home hungry to start the season in front of their own fans". Bradford players will probably want to get as far away from Odsal, sorry Grattan (other catalogues are available) Stadium as possible......

I am guessing that the powers(Yes i know) that be in the RFL are hoping that a return to Cardiff couple with the fact that fans will be desperate for the season to start properly will equal bumper crowds.

If it doesn't work, then fair enough, but at least they have tried something different again.

Reds fans wouldn't have wanted to go and face the Wire, but most clubs wouldn't have wanted to face a "top" team in an "extra" match (seeing as they already play every team home and away), so the "bonus" match will always be generous for teams playing lower-ranked opponents, but harsh on those playing teams much better than themselves. Why not do what the NFL have done with Wembley and replace one of the regular season matches, with proper compensation for the lost home revenue in due course. This way everyone plays against each team twice, and you don't have one team playing Saints three times but another playing the Crusaders thrice...

And I say that as a Wire fan whose team have dished out a few spankings on the Magic Weekend!

so were moving back to the nice warm comfort of the millenium stadium. Thank goodness for global warming with temperatures of 70'+ at the end of february.Just imagine if it was in the early 2000,snow on the roads,ice, dangerous driving conditions,of course we will all leave our warm homes to travel 200 miles+ in artic conditions in the middle of winter to watch the opening games of super league 16,er,are u sure???????????????

Cardiff in February? It will take some serious global warming to entice me? I hope the winter weather is kinder than it was this year otherwise the stadium will be thoroughly deserted (more than usual). I suspect only the keenest of RL supporters will go? I have to wonder who this event is focused on. New supporters from the south west/south Wales? They haven’t turned out previously. Disillusioned football fans? They will be watching their own boring game. Hard core RL fans? It’s a long way to travel/price of accommodation goes ballistic/parking? I personally expect my wallet to be recovering from the festive period? If the RFL insist on this event to satisfy Sky TV it should be in the RL heartlands such as the Galpharm stadium where we won’t get ripped off and we don’t need to stay overnight!

Crap idea, fans want a home fixture first up in February. Probably driven by Sky wanting to try and put a spanner in the Beebs (awful) 6 nations coverage.
Better to have it on a bank holiday to make a long weekend of it.

Preferred another bloggers idea of a season opening "Community Shield" of GF winner v Challenge cup winner....BUT needs a better trophy than the League leaders tea tray.

Oh, have just read that Jamie Peacock likes the idea...ulp...fine by me then...whatever the big man says......

I still don't understand the point of Cardiff or Edinburgh for the "Magic weekend", neither city will embrace RL and it isn't exotic enough, or is simply too far away for a lot of RL fans.

It should be held in Barcelona, a city that has hosted a few Super League matches already, has the appeal for just as many RL fans as any other place and may actually increase the amount of followers Catalan has as well as improving the overall image the sport has in the region.

Great news that the Magic weekend is comming back to Cardiff, I am not sure about february though.

However I think the RL would be missing a trick if they fail to promote the weekend in the South West.

The idea of having Magic at one venue is a noble one, and the attempt to suggest that the roof will make it a joy for fans to travel 200 miles for sounds almost feasible. But if the RFL wants big luck off events, why not triple headers apiece at say Anfield (Wigan v Sts, Wire v Crusaders Salford v Leeds) and Elland Road (Bradford v Hudd, Cas v Wakey, Hull v Hull HR) (with Cats v Quins as a kitch headline grabber in Jersey). That way homeland fans don't have any further to travel than a SL away game during potentially bad weather, and there would be no need for accomodation costs after Xmas. Cardiff is a nice idea in theory but by having fans travel rather than have it on their doorstep, Magic is always destined to play out in half full stadia, which is bad for the sport.

The time of year isn't important, but most fans will have to take Friday & Monday off work to get there in proper time & not be carting luggage round (and I also object to contrived (aka "fixed") draws and potentially loosing a home tie - what do I pay for a season ticket for?).

Also, will someone please tell me what is wrong with making the fixture part of the Challenge Cup? Fifth round.. four matches on both days.. and it'd give some of the lower league clubs a chance to perform on a big stage. Magic :-)

i think we can take what the RFL say about consulting fans and clubs with a pinch of salt .

to them MM exists for one purpose and one purpose only -CASH

Its an event thats costs nothing to put on as the local tourist board pays for most of their costs -so the income from ticket sales goes direct to Red Hall- the fact that the income has fallen dramatically in 2 years in Edinburgh has meant theyve had to do something and this is probably the last throw of the dice

Saying that Starting the season like this does have a " lift off "feel to it -and with people having waited 4-5 months to see some live footy then plenty will go- whatever the weather and cost- but plenty wont

The down side is all games are likely to be on tv - a real stadium emptier , local interest will be very low as Wales are playing in the 6 nations in Edinburgh on the saturday -and youre up against a full premiership programme as usual -

One other major factor though will be peoples resources post Xmas- and the press who will be there on freebies and expenses need to remember that - our family circumstances are changing as my wife has been given notice that her dept will be closing at Xmas and she and at least 70 of her colleagues will be made redundant - cheap tickets or not i think i will be watching at my relatives house on his tv- paying the monthly bills comes first

Why would it feel like a pre season game when there's 2 points up for grabs; your 'thoughts' have stopped making any sense! This is a proper round of league ties. why would fans not be interested?

Re it being February: isn't the roof going to be closed for the weekend. Isn't this a much better way for a 'summer' sport to start it's season than with snow covered pitches in Salford, Wakefield and Hull?

Is February the right time? The Clubs and RFL have decided so. Is Cardiff the right location? Well the fans have always preferred the welsh capital to the scottish one for a "Magic Weekend". Will an early season "Magic Weekend" be a success? I guess we'll have to wait and see for the answer to that.

I'd have preferred a new location (Nottingham? Norwich? Birmingham? Bristol? Barcelona? Paris? Marseille? Dublin? Belfast? San Sebastian?) at another time (2nd May Bank Holiday?) but those who decide have decided.

The one thing that Rugby League authorities and superleague clubs have become is innovative in seeking the games growth by taking it to new "markets". I just hope that the innovation isn't lost for the safety of the "norm" and maybe the local authorities and sports arenas of the listed locations could be contacted for consideration for future "Magic" Events.

Brizzlesaint:- However I think the RL would be missing a trick if they fail to promote the weekend in the South West.

They did mate the Super League trophy was on display in the Galleries shopping center for the last Millenium Magic weekend, I had my picture taken with it....retract your statement now youngman and start watching the Bristol Sonics next season.

Its great to see that Millennium Magic has finally come back to Cardiff after its been away for the last 2 years. Just found out that you can get some great hotel deals via the link below :

www.millenniummagic.co.uk

I understand that this might be due to local agreement with some of the hoteliers and the marketing company for Cardiff

whats happens with the team starting a week early because of the WCC against the aussies????

Just had a look at the hotel prices. £300 for the weekend b/b + £300 for train tickets from Edinburgh. Forget it. Will watch it on SKY, in the warmth of my living room, with cheap pies and beer :-))