Its not up to City, the council own the ground. City wouldn't be happy if the matches were held during their season, but Feb is too cold to hold that sort of event in a stadium with no roof. May, after the soccer season, is a better time.

Plus, why wouldn't the council be up for it? They could potentially make more out of this then United do out of the Grand Final. There could be in excess of 40k fans on both days and the stadium would be open all day, both days, meaning an awful lot of beer and burgers can be sold. It also means the council have a good photo opp for New Islington, the regenerated area of Ancoats on the way to the stadium.

I think Manchester is a great choice. While the areas surrounding the city are RL heartlands, RL doesn't get the attention it deserves in Manchester itself, and with BBCSport moving to Salford there can't be a better time to increase the games profile there.

8 of us were planning to go from work, including 2 non rl fans, cant see any of us bothering now, who wants a weekend away in manchester?

People who enjoy visiting civilisation?

Lancashire would be the last place you would visit if that was your aim, have they even got electricity yet?

Are they allowed to consume alcohol in the seats at the COMS ?

Thus proving just how fickle Rugby League fans really are.

Indeed. Pathetic.

Weekend in Manchester sounds superb to me, far better than going to a toilet like Cardiff.

Don't see the point in this. I thought the purpose of the Magic Weekend was to take it to a new audience, not another location on the M62.
The fans are just gonna leave after their match anyway, so they'll still be an empty stadium.
It's unfair on us and Catalans, that we're the only ones expected to travel again.

As I would be traveling from London, the journey to Manchester is no different to Cardiff. Just a different train!

I don't mind it being in Manchester. Times are hard for families so maybe the RFL should keep it closer to the majority of fans next year!

I will say this though, if the fans in the heartlands do not turn up for this then we are in big trouble!

I don't like the sound of this talk about fans leaving after there supported team's game is over. That will seriously suck if we see that all day.

I've been to and enjoyed every Magic Weekend however it's a shame that attendances haven't been as high and that many supporters either only want to stay for their match or need to leave because of day trips. Plus it can be expensive in these hard times.

Manchester should mean that most could stay for at least the day, it will be cheaper and could lead to great attendances. Should try Newcastle and Birmingham in later years as if they are going for June that is outside of football season so no worries about pitch recovery.

2 of the 8 are none rugby fans and even two of those that are wont have a team to support there, why waste holidays and lots of money for a weekend in Manchester, for the same money we can all go to see a catalans game, which you must admit is far more appealing. Fantastic cities like Edinburgh and Cardiff i will shell out for but Manchester isn't worth it.