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(Photo by Jess Hornby\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Rugby League is an often undervalued and under-appreciated sport; one which is not given the media backing or attention of Rugby Union, but when at its best is, in my opinion at least, a far better spectacle.<\/p>\n
And Hill Dickinson Stadium is swiftly establishing itself as a home away from home for Rugby League.<\/p>\n
Arguably the only success story from the Rugby League Ashes last autumn was the use of Everton\u2019s grand new dock-side home for the second Test; all involved were hugely impressed. In fact, some Australian pundits, traveling over for the series, were eulogising over the design and atmosphere on podcasts for weeks to come.<\/p>\n
It was natural, then, that the RFL (Rugby Football League) took one of its headline events to Everton, with Super League\u2019s 2026 Magic Weekend swiftly confirmed to be heading to Hill Dickinson Stadium on the back of that Ashes Test.<\/p>\n
Safe to say, the switch from St James\u2019 Park worked.<\/p>\n
Some insights were provided on the official Super League website:<\/p>\n
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This year\u2019s event featured the biggest pre-sale in Magic Weekend history.<\/p>\n
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82,925 fans attended the 7 matches, 6 of which took place at Hill Dickinson Stadium.<\/p>\n
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Sunday\u2019s attendance at Hill Dickinson Stadium was 42,903, marking the largest single-day crowd in the event\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
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There was no waiting around, either, to confirm Hill Dickinson Stadium (or, as it has now become known in Rugby League parlance, just \u2018Everton\u2019) as the venue for 2027\u2019s Magic Weekend<\/a>, either.<\/p>\n Before Sunday\u2019s slate of matches had even started, it was confirmed Everton will be the home of the event next year.<\/p>\n Rather than July, Magic Weekend 2027 will take place on the first bank holiday weekend in May. Everton will be playing away from home.<\/p>\n Hopefully, ticket sales will stay high \u2014 the lack of work for many folks on the Monday will certainly help in theory, albeit there are now other factors to consider.<\/p>\n With Everton in action that weekend, fans of the club who wanted to see Hill Dickinson Stadium in action for something other than hosting the Toffees may not be so willing to attend this time around.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, 4 Super League clubs are set to travel to Dublin for a mini-Magic the previous weekend.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also the novelty factor. There\u2019s no doubt many fans attended in order to take in Britain\u2019s newest, shiniest stadium for the first time.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, the location is pretty much as good as it gets. The fan plaza serves as the perfect gathering point, and at no stage when I attended on Sunday was it less than half full. Fans were more than happy to bask in the summer sun, grab a bite to eat and something to drink, while there were countless Rugby League-themed games on for the kids.<\/p>\n This coming Saturday, Fiji will take on England in a Rugby Union clash; once again, it\u2019s clear that Hill Dickinson Stadium, which has already hosted international football games, is now the go-to destination for other sports looking for a special location.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read more – Merlin R\u00f6hl’s \u00a318M permanent move confirmed: Will he finally get his reward for patience?<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n That\u2019s brilliant, and one intriguing element of next year\u2019s Magic Weekend is that the decision to move it forward to May was, in part, due to the stadium\u2019s unavailability in early July. That would suggest it is already booked in for another event or two, so expect concerts to be announced in the coming months.<\/p>\n And all of this is vitally important. Vital revenue for Everton, which can all be reinvested in the club \u2014 in the first team.<\/p>\n The more the merrier, and the next thing for Everton to start doing is ensuring the fan plaza is booked out, too. That has a capacity of up to 10,000; there\u2019s plenty of bands and artists that are capable of filling a venue of that size, for example, meaning the stadium itself can be reserved for the very biggest acts.<\/p>\n Income. Income. Income.<\/p>\n That\u2019s what it\u2019s all about. That\u2019s why Everton were taken to the brink financially to build the thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a strong start, and Rugby League\u2019s commitment to the venue for next year is a great step. Securing a top-level international men\u2019s football team to play a game there in 2027 would also be fantastic \u2014 Brazil? Argentina? Why not? There\u2019s no major tournament, so go get it done.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \t\u00a0<\/p>\n Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer<\/a> ()<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0Posted Is the timing in May post-season? The article suggests not?<\/p>\n At least League doesn’t have the scrums that can tear up a pitch, especially when wet, so hopefully no damage for a following week fixture. <\/p>\n
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