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.

Salford are proud of being a City! going to be interesting to see if they pick any new supporters up at their new ground which is so close to the Trafford Centre and good transport connections.

perversely, the new ground will not seen by many in the Manchester area as being in Salford and will attract a few Trafford shoppers. They have a big chance to build a new following but they should be beware of Sale as cuckoos in the nest. Look what happened to Stockport County.

Oops.

Obviously that was meant to be Swinton, SORRY Mr Hughes.

Yes it may have been time to have become Manchester Reds! Yes I do not trust the owner of Sale RUFC, when Salford Chairman wanted him to be involved he was not interested but as you say he will wait and then just walk in and want to take over! NO!

Which is a small town in Wigan, which in intself is a small town in Manchester.

I was actually hoping that the magic Weekend would have been held in Nottingham which has 2 stadiums capable of holding the event and both just a short travelling distance from the City Centre.

It would also give all those with a northern mining heritage a chance to shout "SCAB" at the locals!!! 2.0419921875:5