Fev is a long way from the seaside! Attractive as it might be.........................

I don't dispute the fact that some folk stay over, maybe 500, and that's a wild guess.

What the RFL need to communicate is the purpose of the Summer Bash. Is it a sop to the Championship and its followers in lieu of the Magic Weekend ? Is it seen as a development tool (as was the Magic originally) ? Does 'Blackpool' desperately want a rugby league festival event like Newcastle seems to ?

If I am being honest, I think the thing is a waste of time, regardless of venue, unless it was seen as a development tool. It skews the fixture list, its hard to sell to even the Championship never mind the outside world, having watched it on TV this year, the early games each day look appallingly attended.

For me, rugby league needs one festival of rugby league. Cancel Championship fixtures on Magic Weekend, but have an additional fixture to engage the Championship, Previous Years Champions (if not promoted) v Championship Select XIII or England v Exiles Championship, something like. Players from all Championship clubs added to the mix.

]For me, rugby league needs one festival of rugby league. Cancel Championship fixtures on Magic Weekend, but have an additional fixture to engage the Championship, Previous Years Champions (if not promoted) v Championship Select XIII or England v Exiles Championship, something like. Players from all Championship clubs added to the mix.

Those kind of games never seem to work, so not sure that's the way forward. Agree about the development idea, so Doncaster isn't the answer.......

Personally blackpool us as good a place as they can really put thus event if they are going to stick with it, really cannot see the point but hey it is what it is, like I said doncaster is a bloody good night out but it's not a "resort" so hotel rooms are limited and nothing really to keep people there to watch the weekend should the few choose to do that.
Cut out that extra fixture stick with everyone playing everyone else home and away and get done with it. Nice and simple season bef8rebtge super 8s

I like the idea and think it should be given time as another expansion event, championship attendances are generally poor so that shouldn't be a concern as long as the event isn't losing money, it shows that their is a world outside super league in English/European rugby league.
If anything I'd have more of these events, as we can't organise a decent origin/representative series why not try and get a good 9s tournament pre season with Super league, championship and invited teams before the 6 nations kicks off to get everyone's attention back on RL, yeah teams may run reserve sides but it gets headlines/tv time for the game and will be a good weekend for the fans.