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'Mega' Newcastle set for eighth Magic Weekend

St James' Park plays hosts to the 2023 Super League Magic WeekendRex Features

The Magic Weekend has been held at Newcastle United's St James' Park home from 2015-18 and 2021-23

Jay Freeman
BBC Sport England

Super League's Magic Weekend makes its return this early May bank holiday weekend as all 12 sides feature in a feast of rugby league on Saturday and Sunday.

The event also returns to Newcastle United's St James' Park after a year's absence when Leeds' Elland Road played host in 2024.

It will be the eighth time the venue has held the event but what is it that keeps the sport coming back?

BBC Sport spoke to those familiar with the Magic Weekend to find out.

'If the Aussies are nicking something off us it's decent'

St James' Park first held the event in 2015 and ever since it has been a favourite on the calendar for fans and players alike.

Newcastle hosted the Magic Weekend another six times until 2023 - missing out only in 2019 when Liverpool's Anfield played host and 2020 when the event was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic.

Such is the success of the format, Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) adopted it from 2019 under the Magic Round moniker - and have held it at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium ever since.

Coincidentally, the NRL's Magic Round also takes place this weekend.

"If the Aussies are nicking something off us, it's a decent event isn't it">