I don't think fans would turn up not knowing who or when they would play. It would be difficult to sell that to the host city, would fans book hotels?

What is the concept? A good weekend? I thought the idea was to take it to developing regions a la Cardiff? Is there any strategic intent in this from SL point of view other than it is a low cost event? Why don't we hold a Test match then at Newcastle?
We already know we will in all likelyhood be playing Leeds at least 5 times next season. What is the point of it all?
I normally agree with you Nicky on most things but on this occassion we will have to agree to disagree.
It's just lazy unimaginative marketing which is pretty standard for the game.

They would know which day they played! just not who they played until an hour or so before the kick off, so the booking of hotels wouldn't be an issue. I'm not saying this is the answer but the rugby league need to come up with something better, but if I'm being brutally honest the magic weekend should be scrapped especially now that the new top /middle /bottom league has been introduced.

Make it a 9s competition with a big cash prize or have it as the QF weekend of the Challenge Cup.

I totally agree with the 9's idea.
If we could get a national sponsor then it could be a potential winner in terms of finance and another trophy to win.
Brian Barwick was brought in to help I believe with sponsorship etc therefore, he could be tasked to deliver a major sponsor for a new competition.

Not really into the 9s thing myself but at least it would be a change

I tend to agree with Itchy; the structure changes don't sit well with the MW as constituted now. I've cared enough to go to Cardiff (nearby), and City ground in the past, but an 800 mile round trip to Newcastle, I don't think so.

If it's to spread the game then Newcastle must tick the box and if it's to try and help the development of the sport in an area then there's a developing side in Newcastle that can feel a benefit.

I say that but your probably right on what I feel it really is, which is a great weekend for the fans and I see no issue with that. It gives us a chance to celebrate the sport and have fun. We stayed at a caravan site in Whitley Bay and had a great time. There were fans of all clubs mixing, having a drink and having a laugh without any trouble in sight.

Having the event in Manchester makes it a lazy excercise, an event that certainly doesn't spread the game to anybody new but even that still drags in more publicity.

Swap it with the cup final and alternate it between Newcastle and another venue and I think it's going to grow and grow.

Like you say we'll agree to disagree. I get where you're coming from, I was heading that way myself until last year but the atmosphere round the Newcastle event totally transformed my view.

This wouldn't be bad idea on paper, but what happens if there are some shocks and the Quater final draw is:

Leeds v Halfax
Saints v Widnes
Wigan v Wakefield
Castleford v Hull

It would never get the go ahead IMO.

IMO the RFL are milking this Wigan v Rhinos rivalry a bit too much at the magic weekend and should mix it up a bit

What about Wigan v Wolves and Rhinos v Saints if they want to keep the top sides against each other but whilst keeping the games competitive and the fans happy?

True, it's become something of a cash-cow for the hosting city & they're not going to change it any time soon. Newcastle reckon they made something like £4million over this year's weekend.

I've always said it should be the CC 5th round (6th now) & not a way to gift one team or another 2 points with a contrived pairing.

So the concept is playing a meaningless 27th game so a city with virtually zero connection with the sport earns millions? Reet that makes SL sense.
If fans just want a weekend booze up why don't we play a test match at Old Trafford? A top city with great bars and loads of hotels unlike Wigan and Hull.
I just don't see the need to play another meaningless game that has zero impact in spreading the gospel of the game.
I hoped that Barwick would bring new ideas and a freshness to the sport. He is just another taking a few bob from the sport and can't be harrised to think outside the box. As I've said just bone idle marketing people who wouldn't know calculated risk if it kicked them in the nuts.
If Barwick can't open new doors then get shut of him and promote someone like Wiggins who through his background may have more influence with sponsors.

Yet you advocate taking it back to Manchester??
FWIW, and I've worked/travelled/lived in many points of the UK, Newcastle is actually one of the few league-savvy parts outside the heartland. It also has its own club. The announcement of the MW returning made local news and the front pages of the local rags. I agree with your comments about it skewing the fixtures and the need for it; where I won't agree is that if we are to run it, Newcastle's a bad place to take it.

I was being sarcastic. If it's just a boozing weekend Manchester is as good as anywhere.
Nobody can explain the logic of a 27th match it is totally illogical.

The best way to decide the fixtures in my view is to decide it the week before based on league positions. I would make it 1st v 2nd, 3rd v 4th and so on. That way every team has a real incentive. The higher placed team would want to extend the gap and the lower placed team would want to close the gap or move above their opponents. The fans would be sure to see competitive games both days.