Manchester City's Etihad Stadium will host Super League's annual Magic Weekend in 2012
Rugby Football League (RFL) confirmed on Friday, November 25, that the Etihad Stadium in Manchester City will showcase the Super League Magic Weekend for the very first time in 2012.
It was further informed that the entire round fifteen of Engage Super League games will be played at the new stadium on 26th
and 27th of May. Last year it was the round one of the games that were played at the location. The schedule of these games is yet to be released, which is expected to be out during the early part of next year.
The Magic Weekend was previously known as the Millennium Magic, where all 14 Engage Super League clubs clashed to play an entire round of games over the weekend.
It started off back in 2007 and the venue for the event was the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. However, the venue of the Magic Weekend shifted in 2009 to Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. After staying at Murrayfield for two years, the venue
was once again shifted to its original location in 2011.
While expressing his thoughts about the Magic Weekend 2012, RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said, "The Magic Weekend continues to grow in stature and popularity and I'm sure the move to the Etihad Stadium will take the event to the next level after
the success of previous Magic Weekends in Cardiff and Edinburgh."
Since, this is the very first time that the Magic Weekend will be staged at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, different views regarding the venue shift decision, are pouring in from various quarters.
While expressing his expectations, the Manchester City operations director Steve Sayer said, "At Manchester City we are treated to top-quality football week-in, week-out and we are certain that this Super League showpiece will prove similarly enjoyable
for the fans of all the participating clubs."
The full schedule of the Super League 2012 is yet to be released, but a rough schedule is already out.
The Super League 2012 round 1 will begin from Friday, February 3, where Leeds Rhinos, who are 2011’ champions, will initiate their campaign with a home game against Hull Kingston Rovers. Meanwhile, on the very same night, Widnes Vikings, who will return
to the elite games after a seven-year break, will host Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at the Stobart Stadium.
The next day, Salford Reds will host Castleford Tigers at their new City of Salford Stadium as London Broncos will lock horns with St. Helens at the Stoop.
On Sunday, the Hull FC, under Peter Gentle’s coaching, will battle against the Warrington Wolves, while the Wigan Warriors will take on the Huddersfield Giants and the Catalan Dragons will visit Bradford Bulls the same day.
The Super League 2012 Grand Final will be staged at Old Trafford on October 6, which will be one and half month away from the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on August 25.
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