Super League hopes for Magic as Leeds plays host

Twelve teams will take to the field in six matches over two days at Magic Weekend

Rugby league's Magic Weekend enters a new chapter in 2024, as Leeds United's Elland Road stadium plays host for the first time.

While the venue is different, the on-field product remains the same. Six games, all 12 teams over two days.

The fixtures have thrown up interesting games. On Saturday, old rivals Wigan and St Helens serve up a derby contest, Warrington face Leeds and bottom-two strugglers Hull FC and London meet.

Sunday sees leaders Hull KR face play-off hopefuls Catalans Dragons, while local pride is at stake for Leigh and Salford and Castleford and Huddersfield in their games.

Hopes for 50,000-plus attendance over the two days have been expressed by the organisers, although that could potentially be lower than the highs of Newcastle.

However, it is worth remembering that Leeds were very keen to stage Magic Weekend, and Newcastle, with their Premier League aspirations and pre-season requirements, were not.

Rugby league on familiar ground

However, the selection of stadium is a departure to an extent, a shift away from Magic's evangelical, gospel-spreading modus operandi to preaching to its converted.

Initially it began in Cardiff, where the tourism board were keen to attract such an event, and then moved north to Edinburgh - again where rugby league had little traction but the event created interest.

Further moves to Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool were again laced with the sense of promotion to a potential new audience.

Leeds is prime rugby league territory. Elland Road has hosted everyone from Australia to the Canterbury Bulldogs, and was even Hunslet's home stadium for a time in the 1980s.

During the last World Cup it hosted one of the all-time great semi-finals when the Kangaroos prevailed over New Zealand.

Yet, while there is less appeal in the "weekend" element, from the perspective of the city's hotels, it is on the doorstep of a large proportion of regular ticket-buyers for the game's events.

Given that costs for a trip to Catalans Dragons in Perpignan can run high, and Wembley's Challenge Cup weekend is another financial stretch for fans, perhaps the decision to go "local" is beneficial to supporters to an extent.

Elland Road history piques interest

Sam Burgess played at Elland Road against Australia with England during his career

Magic Weekend often represents a chance for players left out of the international scene or without the opportunity to play in cup finals, to experience similar atmospheres at showpiece stadia.

Elland Road can be one of the most atmospheric grounds to play at, with the acoustics conducive to a thunderous atmosphere.

Running out on to that turf or walking out of the tunnel will be a spinetingling experience for everyone, yet even more special for others of a certain footballing disposition.

Warrington boss Sam Burgess is one of those, who will be on familiar turf yet in the unfamiliar position of being outnumbered by a partisan crowd when his side take on Leeds Rhinos on Saturday.

"I've been here a few times to watch the football, I'm a Leeds United fan myself," Burgess told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"A lot of the family, Lucy my partner, and brothers and cousins are all big Leeds fans, and [Warrington prop] Jimmy Harrison is a season-ticket holder here, so he's pretty keen to get here.

"It's going to be hostile for us because I hear Leeds have sold the most tickets and have a great fanbase, and it will make a good atmosphere, and we have great travelling fans."

Even those without a penchant for "Marching on Together" are embracing the trip, and the unique chance to bring rugby league's 12 elite teams together over one weekend "on tour".

"I'm really looking forward to it," Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella told BBC Radio Humberside. "It's exciting because it's a neutral stadium. It's a good venue, lots of history.

"It's a really good venue being here today [at the media launch], it's nice to see it like this, but I'm sure it will be completely different on Sunday with six sets of fans, and hopefully it'll be loud and proud.

"It's one I look forward to on the calendar."

Magic far beyond the professional game

One of the key areas where Magic Weekend really does live up to its name is with the involvement of the Learning Disability Rugby League and their Super League fixtures during the event.

At half-time in game two on both Saturday and Sunday, players involved in 19 different clubs will take part in this specially-adapted, non-competitive and inclusive version of rugby league.

"We fully know that it's a life-changing programme with life-changing opportunities for people who access care and support in their daily lives," Community Integrated Care's sports inclusion communications manager Lewis Webster told BBC Sport.

"We've seen players first hand go from no confidence and maybe not having participated in sport before, to playing at venues like Anfield, St James' Park and Elland Road.

"It's not just what happens on the pitch, although that's a huge part of it and we love to see them shine, it's how can we support these players in their own lives and self-belief to find them employment or volunteering opportunities."

Learning Disability Rugby League will be part of the Magic Weekend experience, with games played during the half-time of the second match on both days

Not only will the players get the chance to take to the field, thanks to the partnership between the RFL and Community Integrated Care, but a squad of volunteers will also be helping out in the media department, working with television broadcast partners, and even DJing in the fanzone.

"We've invited some of our partners down over the weekend, and for people to see Community Integrated Care come to life in this way when we talk about accessibility and inclusion, see what that means, and our values come to life, it's a great opportunity," CIC's partnerships development manager Briony Davies added.

"What is key to our partnership with the RFL is looking at the event as a whole to see the different ways we can get involved.

"We've run media clubs in the past where people have had the chance to train to become commentators and get involved in producing videos.

"One of our players, Katie, has become an accredited photographer for the RFL, so she'll be here over Magic Weekend, and as well as playing, she'll be working as a photographer."

Embrace positives

With previous Magics, there was a genuine excitement at the thought of rugby league putting itself on show in a new city, and I know as someone who has been in the north-east how much the Magic Weekend experience became something locals enjoyed, the annual colourful takeover of Newcastle.

Leeds might not have that same feel, but let us take one positive into the weekend. This sport is capable of coming together and making us proud.

Getting six sets of fans to sit in a stadium for the bulk of a day, plus with plenty of neutrals, and make an enjoyable atmosphere is something quite unusual for sport with its partisan feel and fanatical, tribal supporters.

Let us hope that we all leave Elland Road on Sunday having once again shown rugby league in a positive light.