Magic Weekend in Paris? It’s a possibility for the future.
The Super League trophy at Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris, where Catalans Dragons will host Wigan Warriors.
RL Commercial have refused to rule out the possibility of Super League’s Magic Weekend heading to France in the future – with this summer’s Paris showcase being eyed as a potential blueprint for staging more blockbuster rugby league events in the French capital.
Catalans Dragons will mark their 20th anniversary in style at Stade Jean-Bouin in June, when they take on Wigan Warriors in a glamour clash expected to attract around 15,000 fans to the iconic city.
The fixture follows in the footsteps of previous overseas showpieces, including Catalans’ record-breaking 2019 clash at Barcelona’s Camp Nou against Wigan, and the most recent successes of Las Vegas.
Magic Weekend, meanwhile, is set for its biggest crowd yet at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in July, with ticket sales approaching 70,000 and on course to surpass the current record of 68,276 set at Newcastle’s St James’ Park in 2016.
Rugby league officials have not ruled out the prospect of the sport’s flagship festival being staged in France in the future.
A potential standalone fixture between Catalans and Toulouse Olympique in Paris could also be considered, with both French sides not set to feature at this year’s Magic Weekend. Instead, they are expected to meet in a domestic derby on home soil at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Speaking at an event in Paris, RL Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones told All Out Rugby League: “I’d say never say never at this point.
“I think there’s a lot of work to be done on that in terms of the finances and performance of it.
“We’ve seen in the Las Vegas week, you have to invest heavily into a new area. That’s something we’d perhaps have to do with a Magic Weekend – I think the upcoming Paris fixture is a proof of concept to some extent. Could it be a blueprint of future events in Paris? Absolutely.
“Catalans are leading the way in the Paris fixture, but that’s not to say the rest of the competition might not follow here in what could be a Magic Weekend or a special weekend of rugby league.”
He added: “We’ve got two French teams in Super League – who’s to say they won’t bring their ‘Magic Weekend’ fixture back to Paris in the future?”
Around 5,000 travelling Wigan fans are expected in the French capital for the June 6 showdown, which also marks 30 years since the first Super League game at Stade Charlety between Paris St Germain and Sheffield Eagles.
Wigan will again be central to the celebrations, having also been Catalans’ opponents in their Super League debut 20 years ago.
Elsewhere, Warrington Wolves are close to sealing a Dublin fixture with Wigan next year, while Bradford Bulls, Hull FC and St Helens are all said to be interested in joining the Las Vegas showcase in 2027.
“Every sport is going through that globalisation, and the Las Vegas project has been a good example of what that looks like,” Jones added.
“There’s an aspiration from people to be innovative and try new things. If you get the ingredients right, fans will support it.
“We saw that in the Ashes, in the World Club Challenge, with Magic Weekend going to Everton. If you get the ingredients right, there is a demand for these special events.”