I've said in the past that they should look to make the Challenge Cup a completely neutral-venues tournament one year as an experiment.

The 4th round should be seeded so that SL and CC sides are separate, but all SL sides are away from home. R4 played mid-March.
Then R5 all games at Millennium Stadium on the first May Bank Holiday, with the draw straight after in the stadium.
QF all at Murrayfield at the end of June.
SF double header at any available 35k+ northern ground (ie Bramall Lane, Elland Road, Anfield, Goodison Park, Eastlands) played mid July.
Final at Wembley.

Greater take up by neutrals. More passionate games than MM. Championship involvement at least at the R5 stage, with greater chances of upsets at R4 as all SL sides are away from home. Possible increase in funding as Welsh Tourist Board and Scottish Tourist board may both fund events as they did the Magic Weekend, as well as a possible bidding war for a SF double header.
Possibility of getting more Cup games on other BBC channels (BBC4 or the red button?) as the cameras are already set up.
Fans already knowing where the next round is so can plan accordingly, and neutrals may even buy in advance. Could even set up a CC season ticket.

At the end of the day, R5 and QF only get between 30-40k fans, so even if 20-25k a day turn up to each round it's still an improvement.

Reckon it's worth a go one year personally, even if only an experiment.

There are probably different permuations but it is a sound idea as something needs to be done to re energise the old cup (good god agreeing with the dark side) It may even tempt some decent sponsorship.

I agree with this, cracking idea!

Keep it at rivalries.

MM rivalries are good!

...for teams who have a rivalry, for teams who don't, it's a dull weekend watching your team in a half empty stadium, waiting for another game that doesn't involve your team, after spending 5 hours driving down to Cardiff, and spending considerable money getting there. Why not have a weekend of Double and Triple Headers at Larger grounds around the country?

Day 1

Hull FC v Hull KR
Huddersfield V Salford
Warrington V Widnes
Wigan v Saints

Day 2

Wakefield V Castleford
Harlequins v Catalans
Bradford v Leeds

massive crowds this year with the derby games?

I was told by someone from the RFL that those that played on the Saturday this year will play on the Sunday next time and vice-versa.

I assume Widnes will take Crusaders spot.

Sorry to be pedantic but Harlequins wont be there next season - it'll be London !!

Have to agree....We went down to our first MM,but blimey, the attendances and atmosphere to me was pretty poor...And it was bleeding freezing.....Could they not move it to say May?..E,G Spring bank Holiday Monday?.

That was when it originally was, and was better IMO due to fans being able to stay over both nights.
Think it was Jamie Peacock's idea to have it first game of the season.

I've been to every MM so far & it's a brilliant weekend, unique to our sport.

I can understand wanting a big opening to the season but it does work better mid season over the bank holiday weekend.

Why not have both? We don't have enough big events.

I'd move MM back to mid season & open the season with 2 regional weekends, one Saturday one Sunday.

Wigan vs Saints, Warrington vs Huddersfield & Widnes vs Salford at Old Trafford.

Hull vs Hull KR, Wakefield vs Castleford & Leeds vs Bradford at Elland Rd.

I'd alternate Catalans & Harlequins between the two.

Just an idea.

If it's going to be derbies, it has to be Wire vs Widnes & Hudds vs Salford. The latter unfortunately is due to not being anyone else's biggest rivals, but luckily they are actually next to each other on the motorway so it at least makes some sense.

Very good point, never liked the concept of an extra fixture, we are probably the only sport on the planet that comes up with this extra add on game.
As mentioned an early CC round is a much better idea.