Magic Weekend will be played at a new venue in 2026 – and with a twist.
Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium hosted the second Ashes Test with a sell-out crowd.
Super League’s Magic Weekend will be taken to a brand new venue in 2026, with Everton’s impressive 52,000-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium hosting the event on July 4 and 5.
There were fears before the Ashes series that the Magic Weekend would be scrapped for next year. However, after concerns were raised from Super League clubs, it will remain as part of the rugby league calendar.
And after successfully staging a sold-out Ashes Test at the start of November, Everton FC’s new home has been selected as the venue, ensuring the concept returns for a 19th time after first appearing in Cardiff back in 2007.
Unlike in previous years, the Magic Weekend will also return to derby fixtures, as opposed to the recent league-based fixtures determined over the last few seasons.
That will see some classic rugby league rivalries take place on Merseyside, with St Helens meeting their traditional rivals Wigan Warriors and Hull FC taking on Hull KR.
Elsewhere, there are also two big West Yorkshire derbies, with Leeds Rhinos facing Bradford Bulls and Castleford Tigers meeting Wakefield Trinity.
Warrington Wolves also line up against Leigh Leopards in an intriguing northwest battle, while Huddersfield Giants face York Knights.
There is also a Magic Weekend twist, with a Magic fixture taken to France for the first time. Catalans Dragons will meet Toulouse Olympique over the channel at a venue still to be determined. It will be played at a neutral venue and staged on the Magic Weekend.
Of course, the Magic Weekend will be the only loop fixture used in Super League next season, with the full regular rounds standing at 27. The competition has been expanded to 14 teams with the promotion of Bradford Bulls, Toulouse Olympique, and York Knights.
As for Hill Dickinson Stadium, it will be the seventh venue to host the Magic Weekend, following on from Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, Edinburgh’s Murrayfield, Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, Liverpool’s Anfield, Newcastle’s St James’ Park, and Leeds’ Elland Road.
RL Commercial have also confirmed that kick-off times for the Magic Weekend will be confirmed once the French fixture is finalised.
“With memories still fresh of an unforgettable occasion for the Ashes Test, we’re delighted to be able to confirm a return to Hill Dickinson Stadium for the 2026 Super League Magic Weekend,” RL Commercial CEO Rhodri Jones said.
“This will be the seventh venue to stage Magic since it was introduced as a new concept for sport in 2007, and our clubs, players and supporters are in for a treat.
“It’s a stunning stadium with outstanding facilities at all levels, and it’s also superbly located for summer on the waterfront, and with the many and varied attractions of Liverpool within easy reach. We’re looking forward to elevating our fan experience with a range of hospitality offers which proved so popular for the international, and the Plaza outside the stadium is perfect for Magic.
“We continue to work with the Dragons and Toulouse on the feasibility of delivering a very special event in France too, and we hope to be able to announce something in the near future on this.”
The full Super League fixture calendar will be released on Thursday morning.
Full Magic Weekend Line-up
Saturday 4 July
Huddersfield Giants vs York Knights
Hull KR vs Hull FC
Leigh Leopards vs Warrington Wolves
Sunday 5 July
Wakefield Trinity vs Castleford Tigers
Leeds Rhinos vs Bradford Bulls
Wigan Warriors vs St Helens
French Magic (date and venue to be confirmed)
Catalans Dragons vs Toulouse Olympique