I like the sound of this myself, however there is a major stumbling block IMO and is TV contracts. At the end of the day TV money talks.

Would only work with a big sponsor and big prize money. I don't know why they don't already make Magic weekend a 'heritage' event.

The magic weekend should be the start of the 2nd phase of the league season now that there are an odd number of games to be played. It's the perfect place for it. As it is it's just unnecessary and no longer serves the purpose for which it was initially created (bringing RL to a new area).

That wasn't what it was created for.

The purpose of the Magic Weekend has lost it`s way and the format has become stale and boring.

The rejig of the league is supposedly to make sure that there is more to play for in each game to boost competition and bring the crowds in.....this being the case it should be extended to MW.

Based on league position 1 should play 2, 3 plays 4, 4 plays 5 etc etc at least that way fans will not be treated to the likes of Catalan v London, in the empty stadium graveyard slot every year......it`s just an easy 2 points for Catalan (and I say this as a long suffering London fan).....at least make sure every team is in with a chance to bring home the points and make them earn it.

Yes it was Tre, when it was in Cardiff it's aim was to bring new supporters to the sport. But its just become an event for the regular supporters, though it seems a few women looking for a good day out on the lash who possibly don't go to watch football(rugby) that often.

I enjoyed the article in this months forty twenty from the guy behind Gloucestershire All Golds arguing for this.

He wanted a nines tournament with the fastest runner contest as part of the weekend as well.

He offered £100,000 of his own money to promote it.

Only way it would be worth doing is having a big enough prize pot to make the clubs interested and worth risking injuries for. If not you'll just get squad players and no one caring about it

MW fixtures www.therhinos.co.uk/news/22224.php#.UuEi7RBFCUk

MW fixtures www.therhinos.co.uk/news/22224.php#.UuEi7RBFCUk

Personally, I think the Magic Weekend has improved over the past few years. I think the move to the Etihad was the right one and its one of the events I look forward to in the fixture list.

What's that? A rugby league fan looking forward to something about the sport? Burn the heritic!

I agree with this, but it is in danger of becoming stale if it doesn't have an actual purpose. 2012 was deemed a big success, but the attendance in 2013 didn't build on this, and this season isn't on a bank holiday and until there is actually a decent reason for the MW (other than a p*ssup for the fans in the sun (hopefully!)) I think interest will start to dwindle.

A 9's comp, if organised and promoted correctly, or the last 16 of the cup could work. Either of these would be better than an extra fixture IMO. And for 2015 onwards, it seems really stupid that they are not utilising the fact they would have a 29 game season if everyone played each other twice before the split and once after it to integrate the MW in to the regular fixture list, i.e. the first game after the split.

I suggest people read the article in Rugby League World this month with Lionel Hurst, the Uni of Gloucester All Golds President.

He mentions about the Nines in there - I believe - and how it was dropped from the calendar just as it was getting momentum.

Personally, I went to a few games and thought it was thoroughly enjoyable. I have always made a case for it as I think it would allow your players like Burrow, Robinson, Rangi Chase a real platform to showcase their silky skills, speed etc.

All it needs is 3 or 4 weekends per year. We need more big events and 20/20 undoubtedly reinvigorated cricket, 7's in union gets big crowds from cricket.

You need just one weekend you can include 32 teams in a straight knockout over a bank holiday weekend BUT, you need a cash incentive.
Without the incentive teams will plan this weekend for resting players or fitting in a quick operation.

Make it worth winning financially and teams will show up strong, make it worth winning and teams will actively welcome a 9's tournament.
Until then forget it.

If they keeping the magic weekend in the new structure the only feasible way to do it would be as the extra last round before the comp splits, and play it as 1v2 and so forth to add some weight to a few of the lower table fixtures. Otherwise it will be even more of a lame duck skewing the table than it is already.

9s ??? Pointless and the RL calendar is as full as it can be without silly gimmick comps.

Definite fan of the CC last 16 though, not exactly fair as it is as Catalan may as well start the league on +2 points