The Magic’s over for Tyneside for the time being
ST James’ Park will not get to host Rugby League’s Magic Weekend for a fifth consecutive year.
Super League has chosen to hold the 2019 weekend of matches at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium, after a recordbreaking four-year stint at Newcastle United’s home.
The 2018 Magic Weekend attracted an aggregate attendance of more than 64,000. Over four years of hosting, St James’ Park had the three highest cumulative attendances, and a Magic Weekend record crowd for a single day, at more than 40,000.
Newcastle’s success as a host city has immortalised the Toon as a special place for rugby league fans, says Super League chief executive Robert Elstone.
As he congratulated Liverpool on winning the rights to host the 2019 Magic Weekend, he said: “I’d also like to thank the city of Newcastle and Newcastle United for hosting the Magic Weekend so well over the past four seasons. They’ve created so many great memories for Super League and our fans, and have set the bar very high for Liverpool. Newcastle has inked its place into Super League history.”
St James’ Park is hosting rugby union’s European club finals over the weekend of May 10-11, with the Magic Weekend fixtures falling on May 25 and 26.
England’s rugby union side will play its first ever match at Newcastle United’s 52,000 seater stadium when they take on Italy in September in a World Cup warm-up match.
Anfield – like St James’ Park – has embraced rugby league, having hosted England’s test win over New Zealand on Sunday, November 4.
Mr Elstone said: “Anfield and Liverpool Football Club have embraced our sport. Throughout all our discussions on the Magic Weekend, they made it very clear to us that they wanted that relationship to continue. The game should be proud that Anfield has become a rugby league venue. “I had the privilege of working in Liverpool for more than a decade and I know Super League fans will have a great time not only at Anfield but in one of our country’s most vibrant and exciting cities. The place is special - it’s a perfect fit for the celebratory atmosphere of Magic.” Robert Elstone