Unfortunetly, despite going to the two Cardiff weekends which I throughly enjoyed (I'm a big fan of both the stadium and setup in Cardiff ) I was unable to get to Scotland this year.

So those of you who have been to both, how would you weigh it up? Which is better in your opinion? There are the obvious catergories... Atmosphere, stadium facilities, transport, local reception, catering, bars and resturants, availality of accommodation... etc etc.

Cardiff was better due to been in the centre of the town, however edingburgh is a beatiful city.

I think you just enjoy the week-end due to the

had a great laugh with all the fans,as usual every thing was pricey, we paid £3.50 a pint and apparently the price is nearer £2 for union




I think both stadiums are too big for the amount who go, was very impressed with the amount of wigan fans they easily took the most. I thought we took a fair few and we generated good atmopshere.

The main downside to Edinburgh was everything was outside, we were very fortunate it didn't rain because pardon the pun it would have been a total washout as the only place to stay dry would have been inside and all the food and drink outlets where not undercover.

You did miss the atmosphere in the pubs at Cardiff though with them being so close to the ground.

Edinburgh though is a beautiful place though right in the town Centre there where certain pubs who wouldn't let you in with colours.

Also speaking to some of the Scots not many even knew it was going on, like Cardiff I don't think it was promoted that well!

Oh and also is was bl**dy freezing the two days.....

We had to buy sun block
It was pointless buyning expensive tickets as you could sit anywhere in the ground, on Saturday we just followed the sun round the stadium, on sunday we got the sun in the north stand.

Mind you

is better than thermals

Cardiff still gets my vote overall for me. Matchday experience is much better. Even though we couldnt get in Cardiff for accomodation last year we stayed in Swansea which was a brilliant night out.

Edinburgh itself was nice and the matchday experience was good. I'd prefer it to Old Trafford or Wembley anyhow.

Main problem for me was not been able to get in pubs. We wasn't in large groups or wearing colours yet it got that bad that we daren't leave a pub on the second day in case we couldnt get in another. Even the locals were getting refused entry for no apparent reason. One local I spoke to said it was something that happens all the time. At one point I watched the doorstaff in the 3 Sisters refuse two elderly women again without reason.

I prefered Edinburgh.
Would prefer it to be in Newcastle tbh.

Went to both Cardiff magic weekend and have now been to Edinburgh and I could sit on the fence and say I liked them both but I think Edinburgh just swung it for me because of the beautiful city and the many things to see there. In Edinburgh we stayed at a campsite outside of Mussleburgh which was a 40 minute bus ride away for £1.20 (single) or £3 for a day ticket which enanbled you to travel anywhere in Edinburgh. The bus went passed our camp site and through the town and onto the stadium and it wasnt difficult to catch a bus as they were very regular.Once inside the stadium we did find the £3.50 for a weak pint of larger pricey, not to mention the £3 for a pie, or £2 for a not so good bag of chips! but I liked the atmosphere of the village thing outside as it was there we got talking to many people and fans from other clubs. My friend who is newish to the game bought one of the Radio things for £5 which enabled him to hear the sky commentary and the ref and so he thought it was great value.
Yes I agree tho it might have been a totaly different story had it been raining, but it wasnt and we too followed the sun around the stadium and have come away with a bit of a tan! (If you sat in the shade tho it was a tad cold but you was free to sit almost where you liked.) We had no problems getting into the many pubs down Rose Street (behind Princes Street) but tbh didnt try the ones nearer the ground. Getting away from the ground at the end meant a wait in a long queue for a taxi but even then we didnt wait too long and the best thing was the locals was very friendly (£8 taxi journey shared between 5 wasnt bad either). I enjoyed the weekend of sun, fun, friends, beer, and of course the greatest game on earth! And most of all I enjoyed our win! (Barcelona Magic 2011 for me please!!!!!)

I prefer Edinburgh as a city but Cardiff was set up better for a full day in the stadium for me. Edinburgh was freezing too and was all outside which didnt help.

Didn't do Cardiff for the MM just the challenge cup, did Edingburgh, think Edingburgh better if only for the abundance of places to stay, had a great weekend, but must remember to take plenty of warmer clothing for the later matches, by was it freezing once the sun went in.

I preferred Murrayfield as a ground to the Millenium Stadium but apart from that, I found the experience of this weekend utter rubbish.
I've never liked this 'Cardiff is better because its near more pubs' argument but there was barely anything around Murrayfield. I'm not a massive drinker anymore so not that, but the catering was awful. I expected prices to be higher that outside the ground but they were just stupid. I'm a vegetarian and I think I had a choice of Chips, Pakora and Noodles. I got chips and for £2 the portion size and quality was awful and didnt want to waste such a high amount. The reason it bothered me so much was that on the info letter it said there wouldnt be a need to take food into the ground as there would be many outlets there. Imagine a family going and seeing what was available, a family of four would have had to spend £30 quid if they stayed for the full day and got two meals each. They wouldnt have exactly been healthy either. Plus carrying around a bag full of food and drink all day is a ball ache.
There wasn't exactly entertainment around the ground either. I find it hard to sit still for 4 games so walked around a bit. I noticed the 'fanzone' was only open from 10am-2pm on the Sunday. Yes, closed 7 hours before the end of the final game.
It was easy to get to the centre of Edinburgh, but I didnt want to be away from the ground for ages. I just wanted to be able to get food and drink, relax in between games and not miss much of them. I was forced to go into the centre to get food and missed most of the Leeds vs Catalan game.
These sorts of things would usually bother me if there was only one game but on a day with 4 games, there really needs to be a lot more than what was on

As previously said didn't do Cardiff for MM, but on the whole didn't find the experience of Edingburgh that bad, just went on the Sunday to the games, enjoyed the fanzone, maybe wasn't alot there but we all enjoyed it (9 hull fans & 7 kr), we also entertained majority of other fans who where queing to get onto the various inflatable games, life is what you make it, sorry about not being any restaurants for you to eat at Key, but its a rugby venue and like majority of places only do fast food consisting of chips hotdogs burghers and meat-pies.

Murryfield is Jinxed hate the place

Well you would wouldn't you

A very balanced and interesting assessment imo.

But Rovers won didn't they?

Why not Dublin next?

If people think Edinburgh and Cardiff prices are steep then Dublin will give you a coronary, seven and a half Euros for a pint of Guinness.
If it[i is[/i in Dublin I will NOT be going, even though I love the place.

I like Edinburgh as a city but Cardiff for the venue for Rugby League.
For a start it's a lot warmer, I do think we were lucky to get decent weather over the weekend.
And as The Key said the one thing that I like is being able to get to and from the ground with ease.
Decent food outlets and a decent beer (Guinness) rather than the 5H1t that they serve up inside the stadiums.

Apparently the next one is in Mablethorpe

That's a lie and you know it....It's at Saltend..FACT! : Mud wrestling at half time, wet T-shirt contests,Bog snorkeling and that's ON the pitch.




Come on Horney, SWIM man SWIM!

Nah....thats Dobson looking for the ball he kicked over the fence...

that would be good i really enjoyed it in edinburgh real good atmosphere but very pricey

This was my first magic weekend, although I did go to Cardiff for the Challenge Cup final. I think if you have kids Murrayfield was ok as there was plenty of grass etc for them to let off steam ( a lot of them using cardboard boxes to slide down the grassy banks! The food was ok when you compare it to other places, and we was lucky with the weather especially on Saturday, it was lovely to sit on the grass and mingle with all the other fans. It did get very cold in the stadium later on though. Cardiff can't be beat where it is situated especially if youre in an all adult party, there's more pubs around the place than you can shake a stick at!
We found the (Edinburgh) public transport pretty good too, and the drivers really helpful, although I think there was a few confused looks as everyone said 'cheers drive!' when we got off the bus.

lol