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Everything you need to know about 2023’s Magic Weekend at St …

The ever-popular Magic Weekend[1] returns to Newcastle upon Tyne[2] this weekend – with tens of thousands of rugby fans expected to attend games at St James’ Park[3] across Saturday and Sunday.

While the ground on Barrack Road[4] is all but a place of worship for Newcastle United[5] fans, as of recent, it’s became the spiritual home of Rugby League – with fans flocking to the event in droves year in, year out.

Initially launched at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff back in ’07, the event sees a whole host of Super League matches played over the course of the weekend. It has since made its way around the UK – with grounds like the Etihad in Manchester, Murrayfield in Edinburgh and Liverpool’s Anfield all playing host, but nowhere compares to SJP[6] in terms of atmosphere.

Six games in total will take place across the mighty weekend of action-packed sport – with both June 3 and June 4 holding three games each respectively. Saturday will see the Salford Red Devils take on Hull KR, Wigan Warriors pitted against the Catalans Dragons, and Leeds Rhinos battle Castleford Tigers.

Sunday meanwhile, sees Wakefield Trinity head to head with Leigh Leopards, St Helens give it all against Huddersfield Giants, and Hull FC fight for the field with Warrington Wolves respectively.


With the help of Betfred Super League[8], here’s everything you need to know about the wild weekend – including a full list of fixtures and kick off times, how to get to the ground and information about the exciting fan zone.

The full Magic Weekend fixture list and kick off times –

Saturday, June 3:

Salford Red Devils v Hull KR – 1.30pm

Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons – 3.45pm

Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers – 6.00pm

Sunday, June 4:

Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards – 12.00pm

St Helens v Huddersfield Giants – 2.15pm

Hull FC v Warrington Wolves – 4.30pm

What are the end allocations for each set of fans –

Leazes Stand:

Saturday: Salford Red Devils, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos

Sunday: Wakefield Trinity, St Helens, Hull FC

Gallowgate Stand:

Saturday: Hull KR, Catalans Dragons, Castleford Tigers

Sunday: Leigh Leopards, Huddersfield Giants, Warrington Wolves

How to get to the St James’ Park stadium –

On foot:

The stadium is located to the North West of Newcastle city centre[9], close to the junction between Gallowgate, St. James’ Boulevard and Barrack Road. That’s just a 10 minute walk from Newcastle Central Station and around five minutes from Monument Metro Station and the city’s major bus stations.

By Metro:

Newcastle is served by the Tyne & Wear[10] Metro system; a light rail network with frequent services between Newcastle Airport, Newcastle city centre, the coast, major transport interchanges and destinations south to Wearside.

The St. James’ Metro station is recommended for local coastal destinations including North Shields[11], while Monument station – a five-minute walk away – is served by both yellow and green line routes towards Newcastle International Airport, South Shields[12] and the coast.

To reach St. James’ Park from Monument station, walk west on Blackett Street and continue onto Gallowgate. The stadium will become visible on your right.

By train:

Newcastle Central Station is around a 10 minute walk from St James’ Park. To get there, cross the road from the station and walk up Pink Lane to your left, passing the Forth Hotel public house. Turn right onto Clayton Street, then left onto Westgate Road. Outside Tilleys Bar, bear right onto Bath Lane and after 200 metres, turn right onto Stowell Street (Chinatown) and continue until the ground becomes visible beyond the Chinatown arch.

By bus:

Newcastle has two major bus stations for local and regional services – Haymarket, for services to and from Northumberland[13] and the North, and Eldon Square, for services to and from County Durham[14] and the South. Both are located on Percy Street, a five-minute walk from St. James’ Park.

To reach the stadium, walk south west on Percy Street and turn right onto Gallowgate. St. James’ Park will become visible on your right. Newcastle Coach Station is on St. James’ Boulevard and receives National Express coach services, while Megabus operates services from outside Newcastle Central Station. Both offer frequent services from across the UK.

Fan coaches:

From A1 south – Follow signs for City West to B6324 junction, take 3rd exit from roundabout onto Stamfordham Road. Follow A167 City Centre to the Cow Hill junction. Exit and then turn right onto Grandstand Road then follow signs for City Centre. St James Park is on left hand side. Please park as directed on southbound carriageway. From A69 west – At A1 junction, follow signs for A1 North (Morpeth) then as above. There is a pay and display HGV and coach park on Ord Street by the Metro Radio Arena. For further information, please contact the Parking Department on 0191 261 4503 or visit the Newcastle Council website for parking in the city.

Minibuses:

Routes to St James Park, as above. Drop-off only outside Stadium. For longer stay parking, return in same direction to crossroads adjacent to BBC[15]. Turn right onto Hunters Road. Follow for 1/4 mile to Claremont Road junction and turn left. Parking will be located on the right-hand side.

By car:

If travelling by car, fans are being encouraged to car share where possible. Information on car parking can be found on the Newcastle Council website.

If you do need to use your car, use the postcode ‘NE1 4ST’ in your sat-nav to find the stadium.

Fan zone –

Once again, Strawberry place will be converted into a fun-fuelled fan zone, with an abundance of activities and family fun. A unique pass in and pass out experience is on offer to allow fans to bask in the full Magic experience – and will also give fans the opportunity to explore the glorious city at their leisure.

Disabled supporters’ assistance –

If you are disabled or have mobility issues, please ask a steward who will be happy to direct you to a lift. Any spectators who require audio commentary, please contact the Customer Service Centre at The RFL on 0844 856 1113, Monday –Friday, 9am-5pm.

There are also disabled toilets in all supporter areas of the stadium which can be opened with a radar key. Contact your nearest steward for assistance.

Quiet room –

There is a quiet room available should anyone wish to use this space for practising multi-faith or quiet reflection. If you need to use this room, please alert your nearest steward who will direct you to this room.

References

  1. ^ Magic Weekend (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  2. ^ Newcastle upon Tyne (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  3. ^ St James’ Park (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  4. ^ the ground on Barrack Road (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  5. ^ Newcastle United (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  6. ^ SJP (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  7. ^ Join ChronicleLive’s Whatsapp community for breaking news and top stories (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  8. ^ Betfred Super League (www.superleague.co.uk)
  9. ^ Newcastle city centre (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  10. ^ Tyne & Wear (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  11. ^ North Shields (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  12. ^ South Shields (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  13. ^ Northumberland (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  14. ^ County Durham (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  15. ^ BBC (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)

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