Newcastle's Magic Weekend generates £4.3m for economy

St James' Park hosted 6 games featuring all 12 top teams from the RFL Super League

Super League's Magic Weekend has generated more than £4m for Newcastle's economy, tourism bosses say.

The record-breaking Magic Weekend saw 68,276 fans from 12 clubs attend the 2016 round of Super League fixtures at St James' Park.

It is estimated more than £4.23m was brought into the region, the Rugby Football League (RFL) said.

A spokesman for sponsors NE1 Ltd, said they were "proud" record attendance figures had boosted the city's economy.

Fans come in fancy dress, adding to the carnival atmosphere of the weekend

Held in the city for the second consecutive year, in 2015 it was estimated that £4.2m was generated in visitor spending, beating figures registered when St James' Park hosted football during 2012 Olympics.

Newcastle City Council leader, Councillor Nick Forbes, said: "The residents and businesses of Newcastle can yet again be proud of hosting a fabulous sporting occasion that was experienced by record breaking crowds."

The event has previously taken place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium and the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

It was the 10th year of the Magic Weekend