Magic Weekend 2015 in Newcastle, UK

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Magic Weekend 2015: Newcastle's St James' Park to host

Newcastle United FC's St James' Park will host the 2015 Magic Weekend next May, when a full round of Super League fixtures will be played over two days.

A new venue was required as Manchester City's Etihad Stadium is not available because of building work.

The 52,404-capacity stadium will host three matches on Saturday, 30 May and three the next day.

Magic Weekend was first staged in Cardiff in 2007 and has also been held in Edinburgh as well as Manchester.
Super League Magic Weekend venues

Coventry, which will host semi-professional rugby league from 2015, was thought to be under consideration, while City's Etihad is favourite to regain the event from 2016 when it will have a new capacity of 54,000.

Super League general manager Blake Solly said: "St James' Park is one of Britain's iconic sporting stadiums and Newcastle is a fantastic destination city that will provide the perfect backdrop to the Super League Magic Weekend."

Super League was played in the north-east in 1999 when Gateshead Thunder entered the competition after the International Stadium had previously hosted an "on-the-road" match between Leeds and Salford.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/29138204

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St. James’ Park in Newcastle will host next year’s Magic Weekend.

The event will, as always, see all 12 Super League clubs showcase their skill and athleticism in six matches – three on Saturday May 30 and three on Sunday May 31 – at the home of Premier League football club Newcastle United.

Rugby League fans from around the country are expected to converge in their thousands to watch the action and experience the famous hospitality, sights and sounds of a city and region which welcomes millions of visitors each year.

Magic Weekend has previously been staged in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester, but the Etihad Stadium, – its home for the past three years, – is unavailable next May and Super League General Manager Blake Solly believes Newcastle is the ideal venue in 2015.

“St James’ Park is one of Britain’s iconic sporting stadiums and Newcastle is a fantastic destination city that will provide the perfect backdrop to the First Utility Super League Magic Weekend,” said Solly.

“From all our engagement with Newcastle United, Newcastle City Council, NE1 and other agencies, it is clear that the region will welcome Rugby League fans with open arms and I have no doubts that Magic Weekend 2015 will be a huge success.

“We did receive interest in staging Magic Weekend from a number of other venues but none provided as good a fit as Newcastle for many reasons, including its transport links, hotel and accommodation options and opportunities for our fans to enjoy a weekend to remember.”

Councillor Nick Forbes, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “I’m delighted that Newcastle has been chosen to host Magic Weekend which will bring additional investment to the City.

“Newcastle has a proven track record of hosting large scale sporting events. With so much to do here and our famous hospitality, visitors are guaranteed a fantastic experience and a taste of Geordie Magic.

“Our city has excellent transport routes so visitors from outside the region will find it nothing short of easy to get to and if they are staying over, hotels to match all budgets.”

Details of Magic Weekend 2015 fixtures and kick-off times will be confirmed in mid-November. In the mean time, check out this promotional video supplied by Super League.

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