July gave us the best opportunity to put the Magic back into Magic

JONES EXPLAINS WHY SUPER LEAGUE WEEKEND WILL MOVE TO EVERTON

- By DAN TOMLINSON

Magic Weekend has been saved for the 2026 season, with the preference being to hold the popular Super League event over an extended playoff system.

There were fears the Magic Weekend concept, which has been a part of the Super League calendar since 2007, was due to be scrapped alongside the four other loop fixtures ahead of next season - but after swift discussions following the recent Ashes series, that won't be the case.

Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium has been confirmed as the seventh different venue to host Magic on July 4 and 5 next year, following on from its impressive staging of the Ashes at the start of November.

RL Commercial CEO Rhodri Jones confirmed in a media briefing yesterday an extended Super League playoff system was considered, but ultimately, with the Grand Final brought a week forward due to the World Cup, the competition will continue with its current format.

Effectively, it was one or the other: Magic Weekend or a playoff system played over four weeks.