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Full details of next year’s Magic Weekend - including fixtures, dates and venue - have been revealed by the RFL.
Betfred Super League’s annual two-day festival had been under threat following the decision to expand the competition from 12 to 14 teams and scrap ‘loop fixtures’, which see teams play some rivals for a third time. However, the governing body today (Tuesday) confirmed the event will go ahead at its new venue in a bid to “put the Magic back into Magic”.
Day one, Saturday, July 4, will kick off with a showdown between Huddersfield Giants and York Knights, followed by the Hull derby and concluding with Leigh Leopards versus Warrington Wolves. Wigan Warriors meet St Helens in the weekend’s final game, the following afternoon.
Everton FC's Hill Dickinson Stadium will stage the Betfred Super League Magic Weekend in 2026. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.placeholder image
Everton FC's Hill Dickinson Stadium will stage the Betfred Super League Magic Weekend in 2026. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.
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For the first time since the concept was introduced in 2007, not every top-flight team will feature. Rivals Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique will go head to head on the same weekend at a neutral venue in the south of France.
Everton becomes Magic’s seventh venue. Newcastle’s St James’s Park has staged the weekend seven times and it has also visited Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium and the Etihad in Manchester on three occasions, Edinburgh’s Murrayfield twice and been hosted by Liverpool FC’s Anfield and Elland Road, Leeds, once each.
At a media briefing today, RL Commercial’s managing director Rhodri Jones confirmed Newcastle was keen to retain the event and talks were also held with Nottingham, Cardiff and Elland Road. He said: “I think it’s fair to say Magic is a fans’ favourite and we have spent a considerable amount of time looking at it since this year’s event, which was a success.
Rugby league will return to Everton FC's Hill Dickinson Stadium, seen during this month's second Ashes Test between England and Australia, when Magic Weekend is staged there next July. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.placeholder image
Rugby league will return to Everton FC's Hill Dickinson Stadium, seen during this month's second Ashes Test between England and Australia, when Magic Weekend is staged there next July. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.
“Off the back of a successful Ashes Test match a few weeks ago, we’ve been able to move quickly and efficiently with Everton to secure Hill Dickinson for next July. The date enables us to have the event in the summer with its own breathing space, not close to any other events we’ve got in the calendar.
“There’s also a return of derbies, for the first time in a number of years. Historically, we’ve done it on positions in the previous season, but we are looking at Magic Weekend to be the most commercially attractive, therefore, we’ve chosen the derbies.
“To quote a club chief executive, ‘Magic has lost its Magic’ and we need to get that back. That’s one of our prime objectives for next year, to make sure Magic is the best it can be and the best it has ever been.”
Ditching loop fixtures was one of the justifications for expanding Super League from 12 to 14 teams next year. Jones admitted: “Historically, Magic has been an additional round in the season, but I think it is pretty unique - while it is a loop fixture, I think it’s probably different to the other four loop fixtures that were in the schedule.
Leeds United's Elland Road staged the 2024 Magic Weekend, but has missed out next season's event. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.placeholder image
Leeds United's Elland Road staged the 2024 Magic Weekend, but has missed out next season's event. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.
“I think Magic Weekend is a win for the fans, for the broadcasters and for our commercial partners. It will bring everybody together in the middle of the summer, which is something we're all looking forward to.”
Magic Weekend fixtures 2026 (kick off times to be confirmed):
Saturday, July 4 - Huddersfield Giants v York Knights, Hull KR v Hull FC, Leigh Leopards v Warrington Wolves. Sunday, July 5 - Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers, Leeds Rhinos v Bradford Bulls, Wigan Warriors v St Helens.
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