Thank goodness it's NOT at Cardiff.....They spoilt their "love affair" with me as soon as they jumped on the 'lets grab all the cash we can from those flat-cappers from League'.

At least London don't hike up their prices when we travel down to the Capital for our marvellous weekends. I stay quite near Kings Cross and pay the same whether I go for the weekend in Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter and also enjoy seeing a west end show on the Fri and Sat night before travelling home to Hull on the Monday, so you can see why I'm delighted to say ttfn to Cardiff. I agree with expansion and if they try one of the other city venues and they have the nous to keep their prices the same for the magic weekend then I'm all for it.
grannyfan Cindy

Many Northern supporters just do not want to travel, in League Weekly today one Saints fan suggests 95% at Wembley was from the North, again emotive comments instead of facts, It's no longer the City of Manchester Stadium since one of the owners family friends company sponsored the ground it is now Etihad Stadium!

But moving to Manchester is not what the original idea was all about and in the middle of the season other than branding it as a Weekend of Rugby League what is its aim now?

So, errr, which it is then?

Don't think any decisions made have been as a result of a concerted campaign from northern supporters about never going further south than billinge lump, it's a commercial decision which given the current climate is not a totally stupid one, even if it does slightly disadvantage southern supporters a bit more than northerners........ is it a worthwhile exercise anymore, well that's a different argument.

I might go to this seeing as its somewhere decent now. Never been to one before. Can't imagine I would go to any games other than ours though.

It is a shame that the Cardiff experiment didn't continue, because it was IMO a worthwhile exercise in the expansion of the game and did generate publicity. But you have to wonder if the Crusaders can't keep themselves going it loses its raison d'etre.

I would consider going next year as its at the Etihad which looks like a top-notch venue. Not sure I agree with the point about it being out of town and there being no good boozers around - no-one with any sense drinks in the Trafford area before the grand final, Manchester City Centre has a fantastic selection of pubs to keep the speccies happy. I'd be tempted to go for a day and I think I would watch at least one of the other matches scheduled, particularly if we were paired with a genuine encounter like the Hull derby.

Problem with the Midlands stadiums are the following.

Ricoh Coventry- Outskirts of the city and Miles from City centre.
Walkers Leicester- Nothing nearby and could clash with Union game at Tigers.
St Andrews Birmingham- Do not make me laugh.
Villa park. See above
West Brom Hawthorns- Area is not ready for 1000's of league fans.
Wolverhampton Molineux- In City Centre and could be a goer.

Cardiff and Edinburgh were great cities to host the day with both Cardiff great for the city centre location and Edinburgh with its space perfect for day-long events.

Twickenham would be good place for it too.

City of Manc is in the middle of nowhere which is a shame and its a soccer stadium so really only designed to get people in and out as quickly as possible.

Love magic weekend and love sitting there slightly hungover on day 2 sipping a beer and sitting in the sun watching footie

Perhaps have it as the 5th round of the challenge cup or something

Aye, Murrayfield was ideally located, miles outside of the city centre. And why would anyone voluntarily want to have a day/night out in Cardiff? There will be a tram to the Etihad by 2012 (albeit not in time for this years event), and its no further than a taxi ride from the city centre. No idea why that is the "middle of nowhere", I assume the JJB is in the middle of nowhere too? You are beginning to sound like one of those supporters you despise, moaning and making excuses.

Errr - Well only 7,000 Saints fans were willing to travel a few miles down the road to Widnes this last season?

You have to respect the RFL in some ways they do not fall to the cries of those who hate anything outside of
the M62 corridor.

Ethihad is a good stadium and quite accessible but not that far from the City Centre.

Wonder if the RFL may announce a sponsor for Super League when the fixtures come out this Friday??

Area around murrayfield is perfect for a rugby festival. Loads of stalls and bars plus the space around the stadium is ideal for tailgating - flag footie tournie

Cardiff (and Manchester but the Gf is already there) is a great party town

Can't wait for magic weekend just some venues better suited than others

City's ground is great but better suited to football than a rugby festival.

What didn't you like about MM at Cardiff and Edinburgh that ethiad does better?

They were in Cardiff and Edinburgh, and the Etihad is in Manchester.

Tailgating is a horrible phenomeon that I hope never catches on here.

What people haven't mentioned is the recession.

People don't want to spend hundreds to watch something they could see at home. Travel to Cardiff from all places Super League clubs are located is a bloody long distance to cover and will not be the cheapest coach/train journey. You have to then factor in hotels, match tickets and money to spend on whatever and its a massively expensive weekend for people whether they're from London or Wigan.

At least with Manchester, coach travel for 12/14 clubs will be cheap, its almost a home game for some teams and they can be back at home at a respectable hour and not spending out hundreds on hotels, booze and spending money. If there's a full house at the Stadium for both or even one day; it'll look far better for those watching on tele and will hopefull be a better experience for those at the ground.

You sure ? 3.07763671875:5