Complete rubbish. Since when was Manchester a hotbed of Rugby League? Or is your definition of an expansion area somewhere that is far away from where flat cappers live, somewhere they can't make a day trip out of?

How so? The point of the Magic Weekend was to take the game to a new area. Now as Manchester already has the Grand Final, how is that a new area? Also given it's ridiculously close to the vast majority of clubs in the league, I don't see how they're going to want to stay overnight and watch all the games? It's taking away the meaning of the event and it's just like a regular fixture, given most fans will turn up for their game. So there's really no point of it then, especially as you get a larger crowd for a regular season round, then you do for the Magic Weekend round. I've been to the COMS and well it's in the middle of nowhere, unlike Cardiff, which is so close to the centre and the loads of pubs, so I can't see how it's better.

Manhester is a day out for most of the northern supporters yes, but not a weekend, though that doesn't mean to say some won't make a weekend of it, who knows, some fans may actually enjoy the weekend? Who has been to magic weekend and heard the fans there calling for it to be binned? Not me.

I'm looking forward to a long weekend with my mates up in manchester with lots of rugby league involved as well. And I've booked into the city centre premier inn for the 2/3/4 June just on he of chance they put it on the special long bank holiday weekend we are having for her majesties 60th year in charge

After the GF most fans all head back to wherever they came from, same will happen after MW at the COMS. The party atmosphere in Cardiff and Edinburgh was amazing.

Shame.

The Grand Final isn't an expansion event, Old Trafford is the biggest stadium in the coutry apart from Wembley, therefore it is used as our final. Who cares if people aren't going to stay overnight? Why is the number of pubs near the ground relevant? I thought people went to these events to watch Rugby League, and fans will be feasting on that, not getting lashed on Mild in the nearest Holts pub?

Like I said, the COMS is a taxi ride away, go with some mates and create a party atmosphere of your own, its never stopped me in Manchester.

Everything is an expansion event.

Old Trafford is a great place for the GF.

You ever been to a festive or to Magic weekend? people staying over makes a big diffference, MW is basically an RL festival.

Pubs near the ground - its a party atmosphere, sameway they have bars at a festival.

COMS is a taxi away, but people will spread out across the city - like they do at Wembley

<sigh>

You really have lost the plot lately.

...unlike you, who's an old hand at it

jokes aside, every time any team steps on the field it's an expansion event.

Classic Wire Wigan games last year are as important to the growth of RL and 1500 rattling around the Stoop on Sky is as bad

Lister, you need to define Manchester.

Salford, Swindon, Rochdale, Oldham..........
Even Wigan is policed by GM.

Swindon??? I think your logic Wilts a bit there! and you missed Leigh.

nb Greater Manchester only exists as a passenger transport area now. Salfordians never accepted they were part of Manchester!

Booked my Hotel.

On reflection seems to make a lot of sense most fans will go to see their team on the day. Richer and/or not local club fans will book a hotel, but that won't overload Manchester Hotels into silly prices. Seems a lot of rooms about at a good price today (you needed to second guess the date to get a cheap deal at Cardiff or Edinburgh)

Piccadilly Gardens will be buzzing Saturday night. See you there.