You're right it's a crazy idea. We had enough injuries yesterday, no need to beg for more.

I went down yesterday and stayed for the four games. The atmosphere for the Quins/Cats game was atrocious - if anyone switched on their tv and saw the crowd for that game they'd have a right old laugh at our sport. It filled up a little towards the end of the day, but the attendance was pathetic all things considered.

Clearly it was a good idea, but it simply doesn't work. Time for a rethink.

Festival of RL a good idea - but should it really be for 'extra' superleague points.

February timing is awful - just luck that it wasn't snowy. Freezing on the terrace in the snow is dedication for one game at a time, less likely for a whole weekend, fans will watch their team only.

How about making the festival weekend the 4th or 5th round of Challenge cup - draw 7 or 8 games first to play the festival and then the rest go by normal home or away draw. That way the other clubs have a chance - anything can happen in cup rugby and the league can stay play each club twice, home and away.

Closed roof, slippy pitch (especially yesterday) and lots of injuries. Hmm must be a correlation there!

Freezing on the terrace.... it was indoors!

I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed it as an occasion.

Now it's coming to an end for this year I think it is important that the rfl now recognise that in the current economic climate that they do something to encourage this festival to be held possibly around the grounds so that cash raised is going into clubs and local econmies were the club is based.

There is a lot of other factors e.g. Accommodation in the local area.

But it will raise the profile of the game say in Wrexham should all the teams play there on one bank holiday weekend.

The concept is good but it needs fine tuning now before it loses considerable amount of face

the games have to mean something.

rejigging the playoffs and then playing the entire first round in one venue would work, but i don't think the top teams would go for it (loss of home advantage).

playing the quarters of the challenge cup over one day could be good.

I hope they dont stop it because I haven't had the money to go yet but as I finish Uni this year hopefully I will have a job and the chance to go next year. The start of season thing could have been bad but the weather was apparently quite good and the roof probably meant it didnt matter much anyway. The reason the standard of rugby (someone mentioned this earlier in the thread i forget who) wasnt as high and there was so many injuries is probably because it was first match back the May ones always seem better because of the simple fact that the season is in full swing by then.

I agree that the change of stadium to somewhere like Manchester would be a good idea but everyone around there would already be into Rugby because its so near most of the teams.

I DO complain about the attendance but not because I dislike the idea but because I cant afford to go and there will be so many fans that CAN afford to go and instead choose to sit at home and moan about the fact that the stadium is half empty.

Having it at any soccer stadium is a total non starter. No soccer club is going to allow 7 games of RL to be played on their surface no matter what time of the year it is.

So, we are stuck with having it at 'rugby' venues that can accomodate. Which basically means Millenium, Murrayfield and Twickenham.

I went yesterday but dont agree with the concept of the weekend at all.

Imagine if Man U were told they had to play Chelsea 3 times but Arsenal only got Latics ?

Its a farce and makes a mockery of the league.

If they want extra revenue then promote another club and get an extra round.

Doubt I will go next year.

What's the point of the RFL putting on a first class event in first class facilities at a fantastic city venue with 14 SL teams if some of the so called RL fans can't be d to turn up? If you don't like it then go and watch girls hockey or something. The majority of fans who were there yesterday felt a great buzz about the city and saw some great RL. Yes it would be great if there were more speccies there but the solution to that is to get your s off your chairs and get there!

Im just glad we came out if it with no serious injuries, that pitch was ridiculous on saturday.

I've never been and never will its a waste of time.

I went last year with the family, but this year they didn't fancy it and as a Uni student i just can't afford to pay out a fortune for train/hotel tickets (ok I should probably have booked a coach place, but it's a long trip). I'm annoyed to have missed the opening game and a derby and those tarring all those who didn't attend as people who couldn't be bothered or just won't support the sport is wrong. The RFL should IMO come out and say whether this event is for existing fans or to try and gain new ones. If it's for existing fans then I don't see the sense in playing it so far away. If it's for new fans then don't have it at the same time as the 6 nations and the Manchester derby. At the moment it seems to be trying to please everyone, with no real benefits as far as I can see. Saying that I think it's a good idea, just not quite being implemented in the best way.

Exactly. I was told to shut up last year because I didn't go but people dont understand that not everyone can afford it but I can tell you that if I have the money and can get the time off from whatever job I'm lucky enough to find then I WILL be going whether its in February May or whatever.

Total attendance just over 60,000 over the two days - the stadium looked sadly empty - is it really worthwhile - all that expense for something IMO doesn't do the great game justice.
What is wrong with a more localised special event - how about using the City of Manchester stadium, Anfield, Elland Road, etc.
I know we give a boost to the tourist accomodation industry and other asociated industries in Cardiff or Edinburgh when we visit - but come on, a lot of fans cannot afford the expense.
A day out in Manchester,Leeds or Liverpool is an affordable option and much easier to reach for more core fans.
Time for fans to speak up - what do you think????

I think the whole concept is a waste of time. A lot of fans will only watch the games they want to watch, therefore the less popular games will end up with very few fans. I think the whole thing should be scrapped to be honest.

I'd personally be in favour of spreading out the 'extra' games for clubs and having a series of double headers at various venues in a similar vein to the old 'on the road' games. Solves the problem in a flash of people coming and going over the course of 9 hours.

As mentioned before the cardiff council/welsh agency give money for it to ber staged in cardiff

Manchester city council would not do that, and whats the point? we may aswell just play the normal game venues

If wire vs huddersfiled has been before wigan vs saints im sure more wire fans would of stuck around

I dont think its best to play it week1 though not becuase of the weather etc but the team are not at full speed yet and that mean more mistakes, penalties etc from rules changes/interpretations etc