With Super League heading to a brand new venue, make sure to catch up on all you need to know ahead of Magic Weekend 2026…
What is Magic Weekend?
First held in 2007, Magic Weekend sees all 12 Super League clubs descend on a single venue to play an entire round of fixtures over two days.
Taking place on the weekend of July 4 and 5 this year, there will be three fixtures played on each day, one after the other. The French fixture between Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique will also take place on Saturday July 4 but from Stade Pierre Fabres in Castres from 8pm.
With that move, it marks the first time that all fixtures have not been hosted at the same venue.
The format has proven so popular that it has been copied around the world, most notably in Australia where the NRL hold a four-day Magic Round at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium each year.
Where is Magic Weekend being played?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Everton defender James Tarkowski joins St Helens star and Toffees fan Jackson Hastings at the BrewDog Stadium to take part in a range of challenges ahead of Super League’s Magic Weekend
Magic Weekend once again has a new home in 2026 as it heads to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Liverpool’s waterfront.
It is not the first time the venue has hosted rugby league after it was the venue for the second Ashes clash between England and Australia in the autumn.
After a move to Leeds’ Elland Road in 2024, Magic returned to Newcastle’s St James’ Park in 2025.
From 2021-2023, Magic Weekend had been played at Newcastle, which also hosted Magic Weekend from 2015-2018.
Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Etihad Stadium in Manchester and Liverpool’s home ground of Anfield are the other former hosts.
What are the fixtures?
How have the teams been performing so far this year?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Super League match between Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR
To put it simply, Leeds Rhinos are the most in-form side in Super League so far this season.
They head into Magic Weekend off the back of a statement win over reigning champions Hull KR and will want to assert themselves at the top of the table with a win over rivals Bradford Bulls who will be licking their wounds after a tough defeat to St Helens.
The Robins are still safely in the top six at the moment but will want to solidify that with a big win over derby foes Hull FC, who will want to bounce back following a stinging loss to Wigan Warriors in which they would have felt they could have come away with a victory.
The Warriors though, close out Magic Weekend with the classic derby against the Saints. It is 1-1 in meetings so far this year, St Helens winning on Good Friday before Wigan responded by beating them in the semis of the Challenge Cup on their way to lifting the trophy.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Bill Leyland inspires a stunning St Helens comeback with two late tries to overturn Wigan and seal a dramatic Good Friday derby victory
Another team to keep an eye on is Wakefield Trinity, who are right in the top six and want to stay there. They take on Castleford Tigers in another big grudge match.
The match between Warrington Wolves and Leigh Leopards also carries real weight, the Leopards are just out of the playoff places but could make their big move with victory over Sam Burgess’ side who currently sit in second.
It is tight at the top and every result will matter.
Which players should I watch out for? England watch…
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Super League match between Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos
The England performance squad has just been announced and with a World Cup at the end of the year, and NRL eyes expected on a big Magic Weekend, stars will be looking to leave their mark at Everton’s home.
Jake Connor has been in red hot form as of late and the reigning Man of Steel will be looking to show once again why he is deserving of a place on the plane after missing out on the Ashes series against Australia last autumn and the chance to play at Hill Dickinson Stadium then.
Wigan’s Harry Smith, Wakefield’s Jake Trueman, and Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis will also want to show their prowess in the halves.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Junior Nsemba takes on Challenge That following Wigan’s Super League win over Leeds
The likes of Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Mikołaj Olędzki, Junior Nsemba, and Mike McMeeken will want to be fronting up in the pack too to show that they can be the enforcers for Brian McDermott’s side.
Then, it is time for youngsters Zack Eckersley and Harry Robertson to show why they may provide the “point of difference” that McDermott is searching for for the World Cup after their inclusion.
How can I watch Magic Weekend?
Every match of the weekend will be shown live on Sky Sports Action across the weekend and will be available to stream on NOW.
Coverage begins from 12pm on Saturday July 4 and and Sunday July 5.
Super League 2026 – upcoming key dates
- Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
- Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
- Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
- Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
- Grand Final: October 3
Sky Sports will show every game of the Super League live this season, including two matches each round exclusively live. The remaining five matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports+
