The hugely popular Magic Weekend returns to Newcastle this week with over 60,000 fans expected to attend games on Saturday and Sunday at St James' Park. The stadium is not just a place of worship for Toon fans it has become the spiritual home of rugby league fans who flock to this event.
It sees a whole round of Super League matches played over one weekend. The first Magic Weekend was held in 2007 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, and has taken place at a number of venues since including Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Manchester City's Etihad stadium and Anfield in Liverpool.
There are six games to be played over the weekend with a number of mouth-watering clashes due to take place. They include a Hull derby, St Helens taking on North West rivals Wigan Warriors and a clash of Yorkshire giants, in which Leeds Rhinos face Castleford Tigers.
Read more: Stormtroopers and superheroes descend on St James' Park for Newcastle Comic-Con return
League Leaders’ Shield winners Catalans Dragons will lock horns with Warrington Wolves and Super League new boys Toulouse Olympique have a date with Wakefield Trinity.
With the help of Betfred Super League, here is a guide to all you fans need to know, including a full list of fixtures and kick off times, how to get to the ground and information about the fan zone.
The full Magic Weekend fixture list and kick off times
On Saturday, July 9
Wakefield Trinity v Toulouse Olympique - 2.30pm
St Helens v Wigan Warriors - 4.45pm
Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers - 7.00pm
On Sunday, July 10
Huddersfield Giants v Salford Red Devils - 1.00pm
Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves - 3.15pm
Hull KR v Hull FC - 5.30pm
When are the box office opening times
Saturday: 11am to 8pm. Sunday: 10am to 6.30pm.
Where do I collect my ticket
Milburn Stand Main Reception - VIP collections & hospitality
Stadium Box Office - General admission
Gallowgate Collection Windows – Sky VIP
What are the end allocations for each set of fans
Leazes Stand
Saturday: Wakefield Trinity, St Helens, Leeds Rhinos
Sunday: Huddersfield Giants, Catalans Dragons, Hull KR
Gallowgate Stand
Saturday: Toulouse Olympique, Wigan Warriors, Castleford Tigers
Sunday: Salford Red Devils Warrington Wolves, Hull FC
For fans who don't know the city, here's how to get to the St James' Park stadium . . . ON FOOT
The stadium is located to the North West of Newcastle city centre, 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 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, while Monument station – a five-minute walk away – is served by both yellow and green line routes towards Newcastle International Airport, South Shields 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 PUBLIC BUS
Newcastle has two major bus stations for local and regional services – Haymarket, for services to and from Northumberland and the North, and Eldon Square, for services to and from County Durham 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. 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. Parking for the above mentioned vehicles is available on-site in the stadium car parks on a pre-pay basis only.
To purchase a pass please contact NUFC on 0191 201 8558. Please note parking is limited, however there are number of public car parks signposted clearly within Newcastle city centre, though be warned – they are likely to be extremely busy during Magic Weekend.
Information 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
Opening Times: Saturday 11am to 7.30pm. Sunday 11am – 5.30pm. The Fan Zone is located on Strawberry Place, offering food, beverage, and activities delivered by official partners Dacia, Northern and Batchelors Mushy Peas throughout the weekend.
Metro Radio will be hosting the fan zone, keeping the party going with live music and special guest interviews from the stage at the heart of the activity.
DISABLED SUPPORTERS’ ASSISTANCE
Accessible parking (for blue badge holders) is available to purchase direct from NUFC – advance application only. To apply for a pass please call 0191 201 8558. Vehicles will not be permitted to park in accessible spaces without an event specific pass – blue badge must also be displayed on arrival.
Day passes are £15 per vehicle, weekend passes £20 vehicle. Spectators with tickets for the Milburn stand Upper tier are advised that there are 140 stairs and 14 landings leading up to the seating area.
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.
DISABLED TOILETS
There are 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.
Read Next:
- Aldi makes change to toilet roll to spread important message to shoppers
- Tributes paid to 'happy and cheeky' North Shields six-year-old who died from incurable cancer
- 'Loving' mum died from cancer - but NHS delays impacted her heartbroken family, inquest rules
- Deborah James: The symptoms and causes of bowel cancer to watch out for
- Michelle Heaton shares 'painful' photos from extent of alcohol battle as she marks 14 months sober
