#magicweekend

The 2012 Magic Weekend has a fun-filled line-up of entertainment and activities for the whole Rugby League family when the event debuts at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium this weekend (May 26 and 27).

The fun starts in the Fanzone with an area filled with inflatable games and features two top magicians who will be ready to amaze and bewilder with their sleight of hand tricks to keep the audience guessing. Some of the region’s best unsigned music acts will be providing the soundtrack in City Square Fanzone, hosted by MC Pete Pinnington of Wire FM.

Fans can also come face to face with the specially branded Stobart Super League trailers, which feature a player from each of the 14 clubs who will be in action over Magic Weekend. The trailers and a number of trucks from the title sponsors will form part of Stobart Fest, a celebration of the country’s most famous logistics company.

Inside the stadium, all 14 Stobart Super League mascots are on hand to keep the crowd captivated with a pre-match dance-off between rivals along with the return of the popular Mascot Games to decide the best club mascot.

Rugby League fans can also have their photograph taken with the Stobart Super League trophy which will be situated on the first floor of the official club shop at Etihad Stadium on both days.

A new initiative for this year sees Rugby League supporters taking over the big screen through the power of social media to showcase their photographs and messages of support through a live feed using the hashtag ‘magicweekend’.

Commenting on the entertainment, RFL Marketing Director Matt Lowery said: “This event has always offered fun and entertainment for the whole family, both inside and outside the stadium, and Magic Weekend 2012 is on course to be the best yet.

“From the thrilling action featuring the 14 Super League clubs to the Fanzone in City Square, the Etihad Stadium and the surrounding area will be filled with exciting entertainment for Rugby League supporters to enjoy a jam-packed Magic Weekend.

“We believe the Stobart Super League Magic Weekend will provide a whole weekend of family fun and we would encourage all supporters to secure their seats now.”

Other planned activities include the Heinz Big Soup Pass, Punt and Kick game, Irn Bru’s Crossbar Challenge and plenty of big screen action, all of which guarantee it will be another Magic Weekend to remember.

Day tickets for the Magic Weekend are selling fast and cost from just £30 adult and £15 concession. Tickets for the full weekend cost from just £45 adult and £22.50 concessions and are available by calling 0844 856 1113 or by visiting www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk.

The 2012 Magic Weekend schedule in full is:

Saturday May 26
1.00pm - Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats  
4.00pm - Warrington Wolves v Widnes Vikings      
7.00pm - Hull FC v Hull KR              

Sunday May 27
12.00pm - Catalan Dragons v London Broncos  
2.00pm - Huddersfield Giants v Salford City Reds  
4.00pm - Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos      
6.00pm - St Helens v Wigan Warriors