But in terms of the overall whole-weekend experience...Sunderland isn't a patch on Newcastle as a city.

You can do a weekender in Leyth as well so all is not lost.

This will be the best magic weekend, by far.

Agreed.the stadium is central and the nightlife is superb, will be going up for sure.

I don't agree that it's being kept as additional league fixture, but since it is I hope there is at least some clarity about how the fixture-list has been decided.

Not a chance, Sunderland is feeble compared with what Newcastle has to offer - can't wait for this one!

I’ve spent a lot of time up in Newcastle with work and it’s a fantastic city for night-life. There are plenty of bars, the Bigg Market experience and ‘discotecques’ as I believe they are termed, for the younger end of the fan base whilst those of us who like a decent pint of beer are very well catered for too. I’ve booked two nights for the two of us in Jesmond and whilst the prices appear to have already been adjusted to take advantage of the expected influx it’s not outrageously priced. As others have said the ground is similar to Cardiff in terms of being centrally located and the people are always up for a party. If you’re lucky you may get to participate in the local niche sport of punching a police horse.

No doubt the hotels will jack up the prices, no need for it, just greed, l,ve only missed 2 MMs both due to this. They want to sting me, then its 2 fingers up to them, and l,m sure l,m not alone.

Excellent choice and exactly what the bloody thing is supposed to be for. It's never going away because the rfl has caught events fever and want focal points they can bang the drum about. Swing near home every other year but otherwise keep it moving is my preference.

I should add I haven't been to one for years and even though my club won't be there I'm not missing this one.

Stop beinfg so touchy.

You can find loads of accommodation all over the Tyneside area and be at the grounsd on public transport in less than an Hour.

Check hotels at the metrocentre, Whitley Bay, South Shields, North Shields etc

Just cancelled our hotel at the Metro centre and booked in with Park resorts in a couple of static caravans at Whitley bay.

£340 for 2 caravans that you can fit up to 16 people in for 3 nights. It'll probably work out at about £30 each for our party of 11 or 12.

Great value if anyone is looking for somewhere to stay.

Be interesting to see if they use this years table for the fixtures, as by quirk of fate it has dished up some attractive fixtures

Saints-Wigan
Hudds-Cas
Wire-Leeds
Catalan-Widnes
Rovers-Salford
Hull-Wakefield

with the exception of Catalan-Widnes, and perhaps Rovers-Salford its pretty much teams that either have a rivalry or are near each other.

Got to have the Hull derby surely?!

Saturday:
Leeds vs Cas
Hull FC vs Hull KR
Salford vs Wakefield

Sunday:
Wigan vs Saints
Wire vs Widnes
Hudds vs Catalan

Leeds vs Wire and Cas vs Widnes might be more evenly matched next year, but if Cas remain a force then a Leeds/Cas derby would be good.