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.

I went to the one in 2008 and loved it, May bank holiday, sun was shining and had a great weekend. Not been back since tho, was gonna go last year but hotel prices were stupid, add in cost of petrol and it gets very expensive, especially when it was early in Feb. I am happy in a sense it is in Manchester although Cardiff lends itself to the event much much better.

As for the fixtures, it is unfair but you are always going to get more interest and higher attendances with the Derby matches. It didnt affect the league last season and i doubt it will this time. If more emphasis was placed on who finished top then i think the fixtures would be changed (as they were for Murrayfield). Just hope we dont play Saints 65 times again this season1

I would imasgine like last year they will have 4 games on Sat and 3 on sunday so to maximise the attandance would think they will go for something like this.

SAT
Catalan Dragons v London Broncos
Huddersfield Giants v Salford City Reds
Hull FC v Hull KR
Warrington Wolves v Widnes Vikings

SUN
Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Wildcats
Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos
St Helens v Wigan Warriors

Surprise, surprise, Whinos & W@nky Wire get easy fixtures again!