I wonder how much this is going to bite the RFL.
Am I right that us and our neighbours take some of the most fans?

FA cup final tickets are between £55 and £105 a pop then trains alone (If you want as much of that day in London as you can) will cost £150 return so that's £200-250 for an FA cup final that you may never see again. I can see dual pass holders being willing to accept losing £50 for something they can see every year and in fact twice more during the same season anyway.

The bigger question is WTF were the RFL playing at booking it for that weekend anyway.

I have my thinking in that they probably went for the dates they wanted late and were told it had already gone but were offered a weekend close to what they wanted. Manchester City probably thought 'It's FA cup weekend so they wont go for it' only to be shocked when the RFL didn't even do basic checks to check they didn't clash and came back with the positive answer.

I know that sounds far fetched but it is the RFL we are talking about here. Plus it's either that or they thought going head to head with the FA cup was a good idea.

I'm sure you are right, but won't most people who intended to go to Magic have bought their tickets already? if so, the RFL will still get the money, although granted the stadium will look emptier than usual.

TBH looking at the advanced prices I cannot see how money is the underlying reason for doing it. At least not in ticket sales.

The two Hull clubs are always well represented and create a big atmosphere. That's why you still play the derby every year while some of the other fixtures have been switched around.

As I said above, this is a unique situation as not many people would honestly have thought HCFC would get to the FA Cup Final. As they have though, kicking your derby off at the same time is ridiculous. Move it to the first game of the day, and push the previous two up one spot. It will get the weekend off to a big start with a high profile fixture and allow those from Hull in attendance who wish to do so time to go and find somewhere to watch the football. I'm sure in the absence of the Manchester clubs from the final, the local hostelies will appreciate the extra trade this will unexpectedly bring them as well.

Those going to Wembley will obviously not be in Manchester, but everyone else can enjoy doubling up. Those who want to enjoy the whole day of rugby without any interest in the football can still do so too. RFL pigheadedness will definitely affect the attendance if they do nothing though, as surely loads from Hull will simply not be watching rugby at 5pm.

One Direction are playing the Etihad 31 May - 1 June. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that stadium officials much preferred to have an extra week to prepare the stadium and what not, rather than just a one week turn around. The RFL may have had little option but to go with what they were offered.

What can the RFL realistically do about it now? They've had the fixtures out for a few months and fans would've bought their tickets and arranged travel accordingly. If they did move it to earlier or later in the day, there would be outrage on here from non-football fans. RFL are dammed if they do, dammed if they don't. Some people just like to have a pop. As for those hammering them for booking on FA Cup Final weekend, I'm assuming you're privvy as to the Etihad's availability on other weekends in May? Anyway, ticket sales are 60% up vs this time last year: www.superleague.co.uk/article/29 ... ic-weekend

What can the RFL realistically do about it now? They've had the fixtures out for a few months and fans would've bought their tickets and arranged travel accordingly. If they did move it to earlier or later in the day, there would be outrage on here from non-football fans. RFL are dammed if they do, dammed if they don't. Some people just like to have a pop. As for those hammering them for booking on FA Cup Final weekend, I'm assuming you're privvy as to the Etihad's availability on other weekends in May? Anyway, ticket sales are 60% up vs this time last year: www.superleague.co.uk/article/29 ... ic-weekend

The other thing which the RFL and Sky have maybe not considered is the fact that because it is such a unique event, Most, if not all the pubs in Hull will be showing the FA cup final, I would imaging it will be very difficult to find a pub in City that will be showing the Rugby.
The same will probably apply to most households so, the Sky viewing figures in Hull are going to be very much reduced at the very least.

Adding to that, nobody outside of the two Hull boards on here gives a damn it seems.

So it looks like the 'going head to head with the FA Cup' argument is also nonsense, as nobody really cares except those from Hull who are susceptible to bouts of internet outrage.

Sometimes in life, two things are on at the same time, you'll have to make a choice, deal with it and stop whining like children.

The. World. Doesn't. Revolve. Around. Hull.

Sorry to break it to you.

Viewing figures will be slightly lower for one game in the seven - that's it then, tear up the 7 year contract we have in place with SKY.

Yes you are correct, the world does not revolve around Hull, but it also does not revolve around Rugby league.
Given the fact that people across the country and in fact the world will be tuned in to the FA cup final means that viewing figures for at least two games on the Magic Sunday will me much reduced imo, compared to previous years, not just slightly as you have suggested.
Don't forget, millions of people like to watch the big build up to the FA cup Final which also clashes with the earlier MW games on TV .
As a few people on previous posts have commented, the event could have been planned for a different weekend subject to availability of course, it will be interesting to see just what other slots were available around this time of year .
As for your comment regarding tearing up the seven year Sky contract, stop been an hysterical drama queen, no one is even close to suggesting that, people are just asking for a little common sense from the RFL, which as quite often, seems to be lacking on this occasion.

I doubt very much that that was the only free weekend the etihad has this summer.

Quote Errlee Berd="Errlee Berd"What can the RFL realistically do about it now? They've had the fixtures out for a few months and fans would've bought their tickets and arranged travel accordingly. If they did move it to earlier or later in the day, there would be outrage on here from non-football fans. RFL are dammed if they do, dammed if they don't. Some people just like to have a pop. As for those hammering them for booking on FA Cup Final weekend, I'm assuming you're privvy as to the Etihad's availability on other weekends in May? Anyway, ticket sales are 60% up vs this time last year: www.superleague.co.uk/article/29 ... ic-weekend'" So it has to be in May? I wasn't aware of that can you point out where it says so in the rules. Thanks in advance.

Quote Errlee Berd="Errlee Berd"What can the RFL realistically do about it now? They've had the fixtures out for a few months and fans would've bought their tickets and arranged travel accordingly. If they did move it to earlier or later in the day, there would be outrage on here from non-football fans. RFL are dammed if they do, dammed if they don't. Some people just like to have a pop. As for those hammering them for booking on FA Cup Final weekend, I'm assuming you're privvy as to the Etihad's availability on other weekends in May? Anyway, ticket sales are 60% up vs this time last year: www.superleague.co.uk/article/29 ... ic-weekend'" So it has to be in May? I wasn't aware of that can you point out where it says so in the rules. Thanks in advance.