MAGIC Weekend may be heading to Dublin for 2025 – before possibly following the Olympics to Paris.
Super League’s annual showpiece, which sees all six league games played at the same ground, takes place at Leeds’ Elland Road this Saturday and Sunday after Newcastle United said no.
But SunSport has learned it is already in the calendar for 2025 – even though strategic partners IMG hinted they wanted rid of it.
And four cities are said to be in the running, Nottingham, Newcastle, Cardiff and Dublin.
Then for 2026, Paris is on the agenda.
Seeing Magic Weekend in rugby league’s heartlands this year is seen as a disappointment.
However, the equation is simple. Newcastle United, where it had found a home, said no as St James’ Park’s pitch has been relaid and it has hosted the Sela Cup, part of a £30 million sponsorship deal.
And insiders have told SunSport the crowd,, expected to approach 60,000 with match tickets sold centrally, hospitality packages and sponsorship mean the highest amount of ‘central revenue’ since 2018.
It is believed the four cities in the running for 2025 will be assessed, with things like the cost of taking all 12 Super League clubs to the same place, as well as all the match officials, part of that.
However, local councils and tourist boards play a big part in balancing those out, along with revenue from fans.
Seeing Magic Weekend remain on the calendar is seen by some as a direct over-ruling of IMG.
However, SunSport understands ditching it was not an order – instead getting rid of loop fixtures, meaning a 23-game season unless the competition expands to 14 clubs, is the priority.
