I think the reported figure is so high because it's the first time it's been held up in Newcastle. I think the novelty may wear off if they decide to keep it there. I'm really looking forward to going to St James' Park, Newcastle is a great place but not sure if I'd want it up there every year.

They've found a great place for it at the Etihad in my opinion and hope they revert back to it next year.

Fabulous over recent Magic weekends, but other sports would sell it out for one match between two teams. NFL, Union etc would be sold out.

Who cares? Get along and enjoy it.

they claim they've sold over 10K to North East postcodes, and given the distance from there to the M62 you can assume they aren't regular SL watchers. Would be fantastic to get over 40K in for the Saturday.

I liked it at the Etihad, but I love Newcastle as a city so hope it goes well. The ideal scenario is that the event becomes so large that city's/stadiums battle to host it with more lucrative offers. I know Man City said the weekend had their largest food and drink sales ever the other year

Can't do with the place, absolutely nothing around the ground and rip off prices inside. Cardiff was great once you got there, just too far. I hope Newcastle gets a big turnout and stake a claim for next year.

I'm not as fan mostly cos it's about 350 miles from me, and the reports here regarding accommodation put paid to any thoughts I might have had about going. Nothing against Newcastle itself; it's many years since I've been there, but had a great time when I did. I'm very disappointed not to be able to see Wigan/Leeds live.

I liked it in Cardiff cos it's (only) 50 miles from me, and I still think it's the best bet in terms of attracting neutrals; locals I spoke to there are really enjoyed it, the CC Final likewise. Also a great venue smack in the heart of the city. The Etihad is a good venue in terms of the pitch (much more satisfactory than that tiny in-goal and steep slopes at Old Trafford), but I agree the area isn't all that.

Also agree with the comment about hoping it spurs further competition.

Can't wait for it. Love Newcastle, and love RL

Cardiff worked a treat as the millennium stadium is in the heart of the city centre


Newcastle will be exactly the same

I agree that with St James' being in the centre there is a good chance of it replicating the atmosphere of Cardiff. Just hope the pub and bar bouncers don't take a dislike to the thought of sporting fans wanting to spend their money in their establishments (like we had a bit of in Edinburgh).

I think it is a real shame there isn't unreserved seating all round. I tend to go with fans from another club and we sit together during the matches. We might move around to the respective area where the fans of the team we are following sit whilst they are playing.

It took a bit of coordination this time with the Gallacher End being the one advised as the unreserved seating area, yet also likely to be the most popular.

Either way fingers crossed for another great event.

The entire stadium is now open for the Saturday, capacity is 52k but a few thousand seats will be lost due to unreserved seating. Looking like it could be the biggest magic crowd yet!

How are sales for Sunday?

Great spot BTW, no way was I going to be in the gods in the Millburn stand.



Leave it late and you'll struggle to find decent priced accommodation, that will be the story in many cities we take this to, when we decided to go there was decent availability in several holiday parks and hotels a bit further out, if you thik like others you'll get a £19 Travelodge room once they get wind of an event like this then you need to think again.

I don't think that at all, and don't expect to stay anywhere for £19. People were complaining on this site a long time before the game that accommodation was either all gone or stupidly expensive. That made my mind up for me for a journey that was probably looking too far anyway.

If you can't get cheap and cheerful B&B in Blackpool in May within a short walk from the ground then there must be something wrong with you. Our hotel was only 5 mins walk away but on the route I would guess around 40% of the hotels and B&Bs had vacancies signs displayed and that is on the Saturday. Blackpool is on its arrse compared with old times and it's just not that busy. A couple of thousand people wanting B&B is literally nothing.