One thing it will do is be a good indicator of how popular this event actually is and whether RL supporters have taken to the Magic weekend once and for all.

If the ticket take up is low, this event is dead on its backside.

is 26/27 may 2012...

maybe it'll attract fans like me who couldnt afford to travel hundreds of miles to watch a league game.

i'll definitely be going, and i doubt i'll be alone as a first time magic attendee.

the only ones who wont go are the bandwagoners who see it as a p!ss up event.

DW hosted a promo shoot for the Magic Weekend today

So we have an exclusive???????????? The magic weekend is at Wigan?

What socks did Sam have on?

Multicoloured ankle socks.

Some socks that looked like an inverted Turkey flag

I agree with Wigan pie man, some people only go to get off thier face with beer and than have no idea who won and who was playing, been to every magic so far and looking forward to the 2012 one at Manchester.

It was my understanding the Magic Weekend was initiated to expand the game, that being the case whats to be gained from making fans drive half an hour to two hours max from their towns to tournament staged in the heartleands of the game?

What image will the game have is this too is a poorly attended tournament?

If we get 30,000 a day at Cardiff, where people have to make a very long journey, then it stands to reason that more will make the relatively short trip to Manchester.

AKA make the RFL some money. If it makes them money, it'll stay! Also the fact that all seven games will be televised (thus its in the new tv deal) tells you it's going to stay for a while yet!

The RFL may announce the best crowd figures; but I would be surprised if there are more in attendance. Obviously that sounds like a contradiction, but I mean that I think many people will turn up just for their teams match and then leave (I know this happened when it was on the road as well, but I think it'll be even more people that will do it now as it'll be so much easier to just go home).

It was far better in Cardiff as well, as not only was it a proper weekend away for many people the city is much more suited to hosting such an event than Manchester in terms of general interest (ask yourself how many times you've been to Manchester vs Cardiff) but also the location of amenities such as pubs and places to eat, hotels in relation to the stadium; in Cardiff they're right on the doorstep, in Manchester, not so much.

Really though it's hardly a big deal to travel to Cardiff, we're a tiny island and no where is really out of reach so people with the excuse that it's too far were just whinging as they more than likely, hardly leave their own borough.