Rugby League's Magic Weekend kicking off at Elland Road for the first time
Leeds Rhinos will return to Elland Road tomorrow for the first time since 2018 for Magic Weekend.
Last updated 18th Aug 2024
Magic Weekend is heading to the home of Leeds United this weekend, Elland Road will host the rugby league two-day tournament for the first time in its 16-year history.
The event has previously been hosted in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and now Leeds for the first time in its history.
The Magic Weekend is organised by the Rugby Football League (RLF) and first began in 2007.
It was announced that Elland Road would be hosting the tournament back in November last year.
The annual event sees all 12 Betfred Super League teams play their round of fixtures with organisers expecting 55,000 fans to attend over the two days.
The six fixtures are:
Sat, Aug 17 –
2:30pm – Hull FC vs London Broncos
5:00pm – Wigan Warriors vs St Helens
7:30pm – Warrington Wolves vs Leeds Rhinos
Sun, Aug 18
1:30pm – Leigh Leopards vs Salford Red Devils
4:00pm – Catalans Dragons vs KR
6:30pm – Huddersfield Giants vs Castleford Tigers
Magic Weekend will be Round 22 of the 2024 Betfred Super League season.
Rhodri Jones, the managing director of RL Commercial, said:
“Leeds is very much the rugby league heartland.
“The Leeds fans have come out in their droves. They are definitely going to be out in force on Saturday night.
"To have the event in Leeds is a great coup for Leeds United, Elland Road but also the city as well. It shows it can host big events. It has the local and city amenities that can give our fans an experience and enjoy the city of Leeds around the weekend.
“The uniqueness of magic weekend is we can bring all 12 teams to one venue
"We always find that the Magic Weekend brings out the best in the players, they like to play on the big occasions in the big stadium in front of the big crowds, it should make for a great carnival atmosphere.
“I would expect a very positive impact on the Leeds business economy across the weekend."
The Leeds Rhino learning disability team will be playing on the pitch in between each of the 6 games taking place over the two-day event.
Gareth Cook, head of community and engagement for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, said: “Our aim is to change lives through the power of sport.”
“It’s a real opportunity to showcase their skills. For them it’s just the opportunity, when we work with a lot of people with disability, there aren’t many opportunities out there.
“There just as much part of Leeds Rhinos as the first team are.
“It’s become a real part of their lives, a lot of their life’s is surrounded by what rugby league does for them.
“Having the games at Elland Road just makes it so much more accessible for young people in Leeds to give it a go.”
The Leeds Rhino Foundations also runs a physical disability team and a wheelchair team.