Connor O'Neill reports from Hill Dickinson Stadium after Everton's waterfront home played host to the 19th edition of Super League's Magic Weekend
Jai Field scores a try for Wigan Warriors against St Helens during their 2026 Magic WKND clash
Jai Field scores a try for Wigan Warriors against St Helens during their 2026 Magic WKND clash(Image: (Lee Parker - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images))
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They came in their thousands and they will return next year. And they will be returning because Hill Dickinson Stadium is the new home of rugby league in this country.
There is no need to whisper it quietly because the whole of the sport knows it. If they didn’t before this weekend, they do now.
Magic Weekend 2026 always had the ability to be one of the best yet. Record-breaking ticket sales meant excitement had been building for months.
But the excitement actually started building the minute the full-time hooter went during the second Ashes Test between England and Australia last year.
That game was the first non-football event to take place at this ground. Since then, a couple of international football matches have been held here, but with the greatest respect to both, they failed to create the hype that Magic Weekend did.
And it is easy to see why this event is described as rugby league’s big summer festival. The festival feeling hit the minute you made your way onto The Plaza.
Besides a couple of merchandise stores, there were also games for adults and children, with plenty of freebies on offer.
“This is what it is all about,” said Karen Davies, who was at the venue on Saturday to watch her Hull KR side take on Hull FC. “It is my first time here, but it already feels like the perfect venue for Magic.”
Fans of Hull KR celebrate during their side's victory over Hull FC at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Fans of Hull KR celebrate during their side's victory over Hull FC at Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: (Jess Hornby/Getty Images))
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Magic is about much more than just the rugby.
While Davies, and her husband and her son, would have been dancing with delight after watching Hull KR record an eighth straight victory over their city rivals, and while coaches would have been desperate for their teams to secure the two points on offer, it was refreshing to see supporters of the 12 sides in action over the weekend mingle, whether that be in the stands, concourses, or in the pubs and bars on Regent Road and in Liverpool city centre.
Tribalism in football has, on a number of occasions, crossed the line in recent years, but there was never any danger of that happening here.
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Hull KR supporters might have taken over O’Neill’s in the city centre on Friday night, but just a short walk away, fans of all clubs gathered in Coopers Town House.
While making your way into the Bluehouse on Saturday night, you were greeted by a sea of colours. Even though his side had been well beaten by the Andy Burnham-backed Leigh Leopards, Jay Dunn had no plans to let the 24-6 defeat spoil his day.
“It has been brilliant,” he told the ECHO with a pint of Madri in his hand. “We got the train up this morning, had a few pints in town, came down and now we will have a few more beers before heading home."
Andy Burnham enjoys a drink as he watched Leigh Leopards beat Warrington Wolves at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Andy Burnham enjoys a drink as he watched Leigh Leopards beat Warrington Wolves at Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: (Lee Parker - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images))
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Another supporter who enjoyed a pint, or perhaps two, was indeed the man expected to become the next Prime Minister of the UK.
Burnham is of course no stranger to Hill Dickinson Stadium, but the fact he appears interested in changing the legislation around football fans being able to drink at their seats is an interesting development to come from this weekend.
And when rugby league supporters say their sport is unique, they are not wrong because there can’t be many occasions where a future Prime Minister has been giving an interview while Example performed behind him.
But that is exactly what happened on Saturday evening when the English singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer wrote his name into the history books by becoming the first music artist to perform at the venue.
The 44-year-old blew the roof off, and with a pint in his hand, he encouraged those in attendance to get themselves an Everton pie, having been left more than impressed by what he had tasted a little earlier in the day.
But if Saturday's scenes were impressive, they were nothing compared to those 24 hours later.
Saints fans at Rugby League's Magic WKND 2026 at Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
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With the big boys of Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors and St Helens - who wore their blue kit - in town, The Plaza was absolutely packed as early as midday, and team colours were most certainly on show.
There is no game like the derby between Saints and Wigan. Although both sets of supporters mingled in a friendly manner before and afterward, you can always expect fireworks during the 80 minutes, but no-one would have predicted the first flare up would have happened within seconds of the game getting underway.
And that was just a sign of things to come. After Wakefield Trinity hammered Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos comfortably beat Bradford Bulls, the derby was the tense affair many expected.
But in the end, Wigan survived a dramatic late twist to claim a 16-14 victory, thanks in no small part to Jackson Hastings missing a penalty after the full-time hooter sounded.
Wigan scored second-half tries through Jai Field and Zach Eckersley to take command, but Jack Welsby reduced the deficit late on only for Hastings to slice his shot at goal after his side was awarded a penalty following a successful captain’s challenge.
Brad O'Neil celebrates with Taylor Kerr and Harry Smith after Wigan Warriors beat St Helens at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Brad O'Neil celebrates with Taylor Kerr and Harry Smith after Wigan Warriors beat St Helens at Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: (Lee Parker - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images))
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“We don’t like each other and we always beat each other,” David Jackson, a Saints fan, told the ECHO. “People away from rugby league probably don’t realise this is a proper rivalry.”
Jackson was at Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time, and he remarked: “It is proper, this, isn’t it? I never came to the England game, but I can see why those who did were so impressed. I hope Magic is back here again next year.”
And Magic is indeed going to be back here next year.
With record ticket sales and action on and off the pitch - Jax Jones followed Example by performing on Sunday - the move to Hill Dickinson Stadium has breathed fresh life into an event that some Betfred Super League clubs wanted to scrap from this year’s calendar.
RL Commercial promised a Magic Weekend that would never be forgotten and those in attendance at this magnificent stadium over the weekend certainly got that.
The countdown to next year’s event is already underway.
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