St James' Park to host 2025 Magic Weekend
Newcastle United's St James' Park holds the record for the highest single day and aggregate attendances during a Magic Weekend
- Published
The 2025 edition of Super League's Magic Weekend will return to Newcastle United's St James' Park following a year at Leeds United's Elland Road.
The event, which was first held in 2007, will take place on the first May Bank Holiday weekend from 3-4 May.
St James' Park first held Magic Weekend in 2015 and has held the event seven times in total, alongside Liverpool's Anfield playing host in 2019.
Leigh Leopards will face Catalans Dragons in the first fixture on Saturday, 3 May, with Castleford's match against Wakefield on Sunday, 4 May rounding off the weekend.
2024's beaten Super League Grand Finalists Hull KR will take on Salford Red Devils in Saturday's fixture before St Helens face Leeds Rhinos in an the final match of the first day.
Sunday will open with Huddersfield Giants taking on Hull FC, followed by champions Wigan Warriors coming up against Warrington Wolves before Casand Trinity close proceedings.
After the cancellation of 2020 edition due to the Coronavirus pandemic, St James' Park hosted the event for another three successive campaigns before its move to Leeds in August of this year.
The kick-off times for the matches will be announced when the full fixture list for 2025 is announced at 08:00 GMT on Thursday.
"The feedback from our fans regarding a return to the North East has been overwhelmingly positive," Rugby League Commercial Managing Director Rhodri Jones said.
"We have worked with Newcastle United, Newcastle City Council and NE1 to identify the May Bank Holiday weekend as the ideal slot."
Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales added: “The stadium and city have proven to be incredibly popular across previous Magic Weekend events, with fans of Super League clubs being joined by many more who are new to the sport.
“Together with our city partners, we look forward to welcoming the rugby league community back to the North East for an unforgettable weekend.”
2025 Magic Weekend fixture line-up
Saturday, 3 May 2025
Leigh Leopards v Catalans Dragons
Hull KR v Salford Red Devils
St Helens v Leeds Rhinos
Sunday, 4 May 2025
Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC
Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves
Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity