how about the magic weekend and the CC final combined at Wembley in May?

Every team would be going to Wembley every year with the final game being the cup final.
But I think you would have to make it a nines tournement between the other 10 teams for it all to be played on the same day.

It still has to be Wembley surely.

Love the idea of all 4 QF's in the same stadium on the same day, knock out games are quality.

I've suggested it for years.

I'd even start at the Round of 16. 8 games over 2 days is plenty.
Combined, those 8 games in the CC only get about 30k. Play them all at one venue over one weekend to the highest bidder and you'll get a bigger crowd and guaranteed money for sure. You could even televised every game on the red button.

Here's an idea. STOP CHANGING THINGS! Even as a hardened supporter of way too many years, I occasionally fall behind on rules changes, structure changes etc so what hope in hell does a new supporter have? If they don't understand what's going on, they'll simply not bother.

The other thing to bear in mind is that over the past 20 years there have been a ridiculous number of changes and overall, attendance figures either have stayed the same or dropped. Moving away from Wembley for the CC final will NOT make the game better.

FWIW The RFL should concentrate on the core teams more. The more we expand and try to increase supporters, the more the foundations are crumbling. Look at Cumbria, never a massive amount of support, but a while ago it was still strong. This is fading quickly and switching off previous ardent supporters, and the newer teams are a risk if they actually make up the difference.

I like it how it is. Wembley for CC and Old Trafford for Grand Final.
No need to change it.

I would work with Wembley to get access to those club Wembley seats though.

I beleive they have access to those this year so they wont be empty.

I'd move the Challenge Cup Final back to one of the May bank holidays. Games can be then less spaced out, and the Cup will be the major focus early in the season as it was previously. I'd keep it at Wembley as long as it is financially viable, I think it's a big part of the romance of the cup and a regular event people go to. It also means there is more time in between the two major finals, so we aren't squeezing people's pockets as hard.

Magic Weekend could be the first round of the Super 8s, this would level up the fixture list. I like the idea about having the round of 16 as magic but it doesn't fit with my suggestion above, as the weather would likely be rubbish.

Top flight attendances in 2016 were 50% higher than they were in 1996 so not really true. But there has been a massive and very successful conversion of fans into season ticket holders which, perplexingly to me, seems to have made some people less willing to splash out when it comes to games which actually matter - hence play off and cup crowds, even for big games, are lower than their league equivalents despite their typically being more away fans.

In terms of the final, one consequence of all the changes you mention over the past 20/22 years which I do feel has had an impact is the attendance of neutral fans at the cup final. I'm not sure things are more overtly partisan than they used to be but there is certainly less of a communal/community feel to the sport. A lot of long standing fans of the game who padded out Wembley year after year regardless of who was playing were left out in the cold in 1995 and have never quite been replaced despite growth in the sport generally.

I like the ldea of magic it's the only one of its kind, why not start the season with it?

Towards the backend of the season teams are more focused on OT and the GF so make Wembley the focus point at the beginning of the season.

They kicked off a season with Magic in Cardiff a few years ago didn't they? 2010/11 ish.

Quote: Wigg'n "They kicked off a season with Magic in Cardiff a few years ago didn't they? 2010/11 ish.'" 2011 - and it was really cold inside the Millennium Stadium in February ! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Wee ... 1:_Cardiff

Quote: Wigg'n "They kicked off a season with Magic in Cardiff a few years ago didn't they? 2010/11 ish.'" 2011 - and it was really cold inside the Millennium Stadium in February ! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Wee ... 1:_Cardiff

some Magic days have had 4 games in the past. Its more then possible, certainly if done in the north.

Games could kick off at Noon, then 2.30pm, 5pm and 7.30pm

Get a couple of bands to play a 15 min set between each game, pass-out style access so if you wanted to dip out of one of the game you can get back in. With the exception of a couple of teams who would travel in larger numbers, ticket allocation could be between 4k-8k. Etihad would be perfect for it