Super League clubs across the UK look poised to win their battles for a Magic Weekend reprieve - as teams descend on Tyneside for the 16th edition of the six-game weekend which many feared would be the last.
The sport's power-brokers IMG made their intentions known of scrapping the format altogether, with plans to replace it with an unspecified alternative - in a bid to reduce fixture congestion spanning the regular season.
However, an almost unanimous disapproval for the idea made officials rethink their plans - with a Magic Weekend return at St James' Park in 2024 a possibility.
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The PA News Agency reports that Leeds Rhinos coach Rohan Smith - whose injury-stricken side face Castleford to conclude tomorrow's programming - described the concept as 'a great thing for our sport'.
More than 62,000 fans watched the event live last year - an improvement on attendance from the year prior, despite two French clubs in Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique becoming involved for the first time.
Smith, said: "I love footy and I could watch game after game, so the concept of having three big games back to back, and then the next day coming back for three more, is great. It’s also great for the game to take it to a city that is not a traditional rugby league place, and grow the game that way."
Magic Weekend initially took place back in 2007 in Cardiff, but has since been staged in Edinburgh, Manchester and Liverpool. Newcastle has become the spiritual home of the event as of recent however, staging all but one of the editions since 2015.
However, the future of the event may soon slip from the grips of SJP, given the likelihood that it could be pencilled in as late as August - clashing with Newcastle United's commitments.
IMG's 'reimagination' of the game was revealed back in February to axe the current Magic Weekend format, but plans conflicted with the clubs' desire to protect their usual revenue streams - not least via a format which has proven to be profitable both monetarily and with supporters.
Saints coach, Paul Wellens, is another fan of the current format. He said: "Having rugby league on the road and going to different places has been really healthy. I’m not sure what the plan is moving forward but I’ve always enjoyed the experience, and it is something I always loved when I was playing."
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