Newcastle to host 2018 Magic Weekend

St James’ Park in Newcastle will host the 2018 Magic Weekend to be held on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May.

It is the fourth successive year that the event, which sees all 12 Super League teams in action across the same weekend, has been held at the home of Newcastle United FC.

The fixtures for the event have also been revealed, with a repeat of the 2017 Grand Final between Castleford and Leeds headlining on Saturday (7.30pm) and the return of the Hull derby on Sunday (5.30pm).

The weekend kicks off with Widnes against St Helens on Saturday (3pm), followed by Wigan against Warrington (5.15pm).

On the Sunday, Salford play Catalans (1pm) and Huddersfield face Wakefield (3.15pm).

Super League General Manager, Mark Foster, said: “We are delighted to be bringing the Dacia Magic Weekend back to Newcastle for a fourth year.

“We had a number of other cities bid to host what is a fantastic event but Newcastle is a great venue for us – the city has made us feel incredibly welcome over the last three years and we know our fans love to come to Newcastle for the weekend.”

Magic Weekend has previously been hosted in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester, and had been linked with a host of other cities, including Liverpool, Coventry and London.

Home to Newcastle Thunder, who groundshare with Newcastle Falcons rugby union team, the city will also host rugby union’s European finals in 2019.

Lee Charnley, Newcastle United’s Managing Director said: “We’re very proud to have hosted the Dacia Magic Weekend for the last three years, and as excited as always to be hosting this magnificent sporting event once again in 2018.

“As everyone who’s attended in previous years will know, it’s a fantastic weekend of rugby which has consistently welcomed sell-out crowds and has become of the ‘jewels in the crown’ in Newcastle’s annual sporting calendar.

“We’re delighted that the Super League continue to recognise the quality of the venue, facilities and support we provide at St James’ Park, as well as the great working relationship we have developed with the Super League and our partners across the city in playing host to such a fantastic event.”​

The 2018 Magic Weekend schedule is as follows:

Saturday May 19
Widnes Vikings v St Helens (15.00)
Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves (17.15)
Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos (19.30)

Sunday May 20
Salford Red Devils v Catalans Dragons (13.00)
Wakefield Trinity v Huddersfield Giants (15.15)
Hull KR v Hull FC (17.30)