I think with so many fans saying that it is expensive going to so many events, and the escalating costs of accommodation in Cardiff then I think two full crowds is the key thing, whether folk stop for both days is a little irrelevant.

Seems like a good idea to me as fans can pretty much pick and choose very easily how they want to play it. Close enough to just go for your own teams game or to travel both days to watch all the games or stay over in Manchester for the whole weekend.

Some ace nights out in Manchester - I'd probably do the whole weekend if it was there.

If confirmed it will probably become a "success" for the RFL as aggregate attendances will almost certainly go up with the venue being in the heartland of the sport.

However, there will be fewer people going for the whole weekend and the immediate vicinity of the Etihad (like Murrayfield) is not as good for fans as Cardiff.

If it goes to Manchester it will be a backward step for the game and a damning indictment on the RFL's intentions for the sport in Wales.

might have to get the hummer out again or even hire an open top bus

what do yer think Al

Plus it means we can try to set off within 45 minutes of kick off.

That's not even a challenge.

45? Ahh you mean in plenty of time to get a curry beforehand?

Area around the ground ain't great for hanging round so fans are either going to stuck in the hround or spread out all over manchester, thus losing the 'weekend' atmosphere. Own goal for me this one.

I was factoring in that we'd head for Maine Road first, then Gigg Lane.

Quite like Manchester. Great nightlife, never had a problem getting a drink near Old Trafford either.

But it's not going to be at Old Trafford, it's going to be at the Etihad (Man City)

Ooops, after all the sport news at the weekend I thought there was only one football club in Manchester.

In that case, not really much around there apart from people in track suits, I will just wait until getting back into the centre.

Probably more tickets will be sold for the event because a lot of supporters will just watch the games that their team will also be on that day & not taking advantage of a 2 day ticket.
At least the RFL are thinking about the majority of the supporters & making the games accessable to go to without stumping up for the weekend stays. Last season we went to Cardiff for the weekend & it ended up costing about £400 for 2 days & then could`nt afford the trip to Catalan the following weekend.

Looks like an admission of defeat by the RFL. Manchester is not exactly "spreading the gospell"
Went to Cardiff last season and was dissapointed by the atmosphere, although it does improve as the day does on.
Surely the concept is to take the fixtures away from the heartlands and attract new people into the game ?
Although attendance figures will improve, it will make for a non-magical weekend.