Apparently we are the first game, kick off at 1 o'clock on the Saturday, versus Castleford

That's gonna be a long messy day!!!

SATURDAY
1pm - Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Wildcats
4pm - Warrington Wolves v Widnes Vikings
7pm - Hull FC v Hull KR

SUNDAY
12pm - Catalan Dragons v London Broncos
2pm - Huddersfield Giants v Salford City Reds
4pm - Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos
6pm - St Helens v Wigan Warriors

That's worked out well, off to a gig at Manchester academy on the Saturday night. May dip out of the Hull game early.

Hi all just wondering if anyone can help? Going to the magic weekend and I'm looking for somewhere to stay on the Saturday night in Manchester. Anyone know of a nice hotel to stay in that's near to the Etihad stadium?

Thanks

sorry I dont get this in Manchester its just an unnecessary fixture for my money and I bet most of the players share this view

Thats three cracking games on the saturday.Shame I can't stay over for the sunday.

I am 100% with you on this. I have never liked this format wherever it is and I have never been I dont intend breaking my duck in Manchester to watch my local team play our rivals 60 miles away.

Was it a meaningful game (accepting this is a league game for 2 points) like a cup game or play offs I would be there like a shot but for me its just exploitation there will be 6/7000 for us and Cas in a big empty stadium

NO THANKS RFL

Set off at 12 home for 4 now that's what I call magic.

Could watch the match then return on the BEER TRAIN . www.realaletrail.net/dewsbury

Could watch the match then return on the BEER TRAIN . www.realaletrail.net/dewsbury

Quote ="Mr Bliss"Could watch the match then return on the BEER TRAIN . www.realaletrail.net/dewsbury'" Fantastic day out is the ale trail. A for the magic weekend been to Cardiff and Edinburgh and loved them, but cant see the point in a weekend in Manchester and am actually looking forward to watching all 7 matches in the pub.

Quote ="Mr Bliss"Could watch the match then return on the BEER TRAIN . www.realaletrail.net/dewsbury'" Fantastic day out is the ale trail. A for the magic weekend been to Cardiff and Edinburgh and loved them, but cant see the point in a weekend in Manchester and am actually looking forward to watching all 7 matches in the pub.

Sounds a better way to spend the day than sitting in a mostly empty Manchester stadium.

I'm hoping to go, I like visiting new grounds and the cheap travel and 50% off ticket price make it a bit of a no brainer for me!
On another note, i've been invited in the Ale Trail in a few months, what's it like? What is it?!?

Ale trail is a top class day on the beer. Get yourself there, you'll suffer the day after but its well worth it, awesome atmosphere on the train as the day gets on

I know nothing about it and thought it was something a mate had made up! Is it not a normal public train then? What are the pubs like?

Done the ale train several times now and its a fantastic day out. If you get a day rover ticket it covers you up to Slaithwaite but not to Staylibridge. Never been asked to show our tickets yet but one lad who came later had to pay an extra £9 for about 500 yards of travel !. So pays ya money take a chance



The black peas at the Stalybridge are an experience, but the pork pies in Greenfield are awseome


Be prepared to get

bloody hell this train sounds awesome!!

The first time we did it we got train to Stalybridge,had a couple there and decided to work our way back towards Leeds stopping off at all the pubs on the way back,unfortunately we let one of the wives check the timetable,got on the train and found it was the express back to Huddersfield!!We shot past every pub at 70mph.
Great day out though!

Cheers

Trust me it is

If you're staying over, I wouldn't stay anywhere near the Etihad. Might be handy for the kick off, but the stagger back from the city centre in the early hours will be unpleasant.

Seems ill thought out in my opinion. There's alot of logic behind the Magic weekend being in either Cardiff or Edinburgh, but it lacks any real appeal for me in Manchester. They're expecting the ground to be full with fans, but i seriously doubt they'll even be an increase from previous Magic weekends.

I'd guess those fans who attend will only watch their own team and with all games being televised, why should your average joe get off his backside and travel to attend?

Manchester's a great city with good nightlife,we're off to a new stadium,it's a weekend away and you're watching your team,you can be there in an hour on the train,what's all the negativity about,get booked and get on it!!