It's aim is to generate revenue, both directly and indirectly. It's something that the game sorely lacks.

It's success is measured on how much revenue it generates.

Anyone by any chance got 2 spare unreserved tickets for saturday?

Application of historical blinkers duly noted.

Having failed spectacularly in its original purpose to spread the SL gospel far and wide to non-converts by staging the event outside the RL heartlands in Wales and Scotland. It has now been reduced to a locally-staged event primarily targeting SL season ticket holders (the already converted) via half price ticket offers.

As an acknowledgement of it's failure, this meaningless event no longer even pretends to appeal to any outsiders (potential fans) either within or beyond it's M62 borders. As an exercise in the rewriting of history, the event shall be measured solely by how much revenue it generates.

Yes, really.

The staging of mass moonie wedding ceremonies by the Unification Church probably appeal to more outsiders.

Personally I agree with Leaguefan & William. The RFL love to conveniently forget that Magic has failed in terms of its original aim. I've never attended one and I doubt I ever will. Too costly to watch a regular game of RL, and what really bugs me is them making it 'local' derbies. For someone from Hull (say) to have to make a 200 mile-round trip to watch the Hull derby in a regular match is a p*** take IMO, and something I personally don't feel like I'm missing out on by not attending. I am very confident that the atmosphere there is not even close to a real derby in the right city / town, so to me they're basically just exhibition matches (like the Harlem Globetrotters I guess?!) with two points put at stake as a carrot to fans.

The original purpose of the Magic Weekend was to help the Welsh tourist board fill hotel rooms in Cardiff.

HTH.

Personally, I thoroughly enjoy the Magic Weekend. Then again, I'm not a miserable git.

edited for 100% accuracy

He he.

I take most of your points on bored but I haven't heard from any one that has been that hasn't had a good time me included.

I beleave and I have no figers to back this up but seems each year there has been more ppl going (don't know if this is more ppl going or more ppl sticking around for all the matchs).

On that point Manchester is better compared with Cardiff as in Cardiff you are so close to the city it was so easy to watch your game then in stadium then go in town and watch other games in pub. This leaving the stadium looking and feeling empty.

I have enjoyed every one iv been to and am going this year looking forward to it a lot!

No GF, I'm not. Tbf even if I agreed with it I'd rather spend the cash doing something with a more 'once-in-a-lifetime' feeling, eg attend a Wales RU match or Celtic game.

I respect that totally Tommy, and of course I hope you and all other RL fans have a great time, it's just not my cup of tea though personally. Re crowds though I'm sure from what I read the total attendances for Edinburgh and Cardiff were quite similar to Manchester, so you must surely wonder why they just gave up on those potential new areas?
Did anyone here stay over close to the stadium? If so what's the accommodation like please?

Moonie Weekend Attendances
Cardiff 2007: 32,384 + 26,447 = 58,831
Cardiff 2008: 30,628 + 32,516 = 63,144
Edinburgh 2009: 29,627 + 30,122 = 59,749
Edinburgh 2010: 26,642 + 25,401 = 52,043
Cardiff 2011: 30,891 + 29,323 = 60,214
Manchester 2012: 30,763 + 32,953 = 63,716
Manchester 2013: 30,793 + 31,249 = 62,042

Look on the bright side it's not as much a complete waste as the proposed Championship one starting next season. Although on the bright side, it's in that exotic seaside resort of Blackpool............ so there will, of course, be no 'popped' up fans ruining the games, inside, and holidays, outside, the stadium.

Try the Huddersfield ticket office, they had some on Friday