If your house is anything like ours, the rugby league calendar dictates your entire year. The muddy boots by the back door, the constant debate over video referee decisions, and the absolute chaos of a matchday are just part of daily life. But there is one weekend that stands above all others for a rugby-obsessed family: Super League's Magic Weekend.
This year, the ultimate summer festival of rugby league is breaking records, smashing through the 80,000 ticket milestone, and heading to a brand-new, world class venue. For the first time ever, Magic WKND 2026 is taking over Everton’s stunning new waterfront home, Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, on Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5.
As a family that eats, sleeps, and breathes rugby league, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to help your squad conquer the weekend. From the full fixture list to essential stadium survival tips, here is everything you need to know!
The 2026 Magic Weekend Fixture Schedule
Six massive Betfred Super League clashes, all taking place on the exact same pitch over 48 epic hours. The rivalries are intense, the stakes are massive, and the atmosphere is going to be electric.
Here is how the weekend shakes out (set your reminders now!)
Saturday, July 4
Game 1: Huddersfield Giants v York Knights - 12:30pm
Game 2: Hull KR v Hull FC - 3:00pm
Game 3: Leigh Leopards v Warrington Wolves - 5:30pm
Note: Over in France, Catalans Dragons take on Toulouse Olympique on Saturday evening to complete the round!
Sunday, July 5
Game 1: Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers - 12:30pm
Game 2: Leeds Rhinos v Bradford Bulls - 3:00pm
Game 3: Wigan Warriors v St Helens - 5:30pm
The Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium
Following the success of last November’s sold out international Ashes Test, Rugby League knew they had found a gem. Hill Dickinson Stadium is a brand new world class venue right on Liverpool's iconic northern docks.
The stadium gates, alongside the vibrant Budweiser Plaza, Village Street, and the Trinity Place Bar, open up at 11:00am on both days. If you’re lucky enough to have hospitality or Tunnel Club access, you can get in as early as 10:00am.
The Ultimate Fan Zone Experience
The action isn't just happening on the pitch. The Budweiser Plaza Fan Zone is the beating heart of Magic Weekend's festival atmosphere, and it's open from 11:00am both days. Whether you are using the stadium’s handy pass-out system between games or arriving early to soak up the pre-match buzz, there is more than enough to keep the whole squad entertained.
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Family-Friendly Fun: Expect live music, interactive games, face painters for the kids, and plenty of iconic photo moments to capture the weekend.
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The Partner Challenges:
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Recharge your batteries at Boost’s Fuel Your Game station.
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Test your passing and kicking skills in the interactive rugby challenges hosted by Northern, Betfred, Believe, and Smart Energy.
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Food & Drink: A massive, diverse mix of food and drink stalls will be serving all weekend. The adults can grab an ice-cold drink from Glens Vodka or ABK Beer and relax in the sunshine between the heavy hits.
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The Oxen Merch Store: You can't leave Magic Weekend without a souvenir! Make sure to swing by the Oxen store to grab the ultimate summer accessory: an official Magic Weekend bucket hat. They will also be stocked up with a great range of merchandise, including team teddies, NRL shirts, England Rugby League training wear, match balls, and more.
Player Arrivals & Pitch Action
Want to greet your favourite players as they arrive? Get your squad lined up outside the West Stand Main Reception. Teams will be arriving roughly two hours ahead of their published kick-off times.
On the pitch, in addition to six fierce clashes of Betfred Super League there will be have the Learning Disability Super League exhibition games delivered by Community Integrated Care at half time of Game 2 both days, a mascot race, competitions where fans can win prizes, the Hype Squad making the rounds with t-shirt cannons so you can bag some free Magic Merch, and more!
World Class Entertainment
To celebrate hitting the historic Liverpool waterfront, the entertainment line up this year is absolutely massive. From global chart toppers to top tier sports hosts, the party will be going all weekend long.
The Main Stage Headliners
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Saturday: Platinum selling artist Example will be playing a massive live set packed with his chart topping hits right between Game 2 and Game 3.
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Sunday: Global superstar DJ Jax Jones will be bringing his massive festival energy and global hits to the stadium bowl.
Non Stop Tunes & Stadium Hosts
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DJ CJ on the Decks: To keep the energy soaring, internationally renowned DJ CJ will be spinning everything from current bangers to old school sing along classics. He’s previously worked with icons like Drake, Adele, and Frank Ocean, and played massive gigs like the BRITs after party and Formula 1 at Silverstone.
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The Matchday Presenters: The resident rugby league stadium announcer Pete Nuttall is back on the sidelines to bring fans right into the action. Joining him are game day hosts Max Whittle (Villa Park, The Hundred, Commonwealth Games) and Ellie Scarlet (The Hundred at Lord's, McLaren, World Table Tennis). They’ll be capturing exclusive behind the scenes footage, hosting games with epic prizes, and running huge sing along competitions between rival fanbases!
Interactive Big Screens & Voting Your Player of the Match
Technology is taking over the stadium this year to give fans total control over the matchday experience.
Get on the Big Screen with CUE Technologies
The league has partnered with CUE, the leading interactive fan experience company in sports. They are debuting a few brand new features directly on the stadium's massive screens:
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AR Fan Filter Cam: Fun augmented reality filters for the crowd.
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Mobile Fan Cam: A revolutionary new tool that lets you go live on the stadium's big screen directly from your own mobile device!
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Live Polling: Keep your phone handy to vote on different interactive elements throughout the weekend.
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Shoutouts: Want to wish a loved one a happy birthday or send best wishes to a local Stag or Hen? Keep an eye out for the big screen QR codes on the day, scan them, and get your custom message put up for the entire stadium to see.
Pick the Betfred Player of the Match
Don't agree with the pundits? You get to have your say. After every single game, fans will vote for the official Player of the Match. Make sure you have downloaded the OurLeague App (available on iOS and Android) before kick off so your vote counts!
Family Survival Tips: What to Know Before You Go
Navigating a massive stadium event with the family requires a bit of planning. Keep these tips in mind:
Download or Print Your Digital Tickets
Do not rely on stadium data networks! All tickets are sent via Tickets.com (check your spam folders for ordertracking@tickets.com). Take a screenshot or print them out beforehand. If you have any last minute issues, the ticket office in the South East corner opens at 9:30am.
Check the Strict A4 Bag Policy
Hill Dickinson Stadium enforces a strict limit of one small bag per person, max A4 size: 297mm height x 210mm width x 210mm depth. Bags that are half empty and folded over will be rejected, and there is no baggage drop on site. If you have medical or specific infant needs, apply for a baggage exemption on the Super League website in advance.
Utilise the Pass Out System
One of the best features of Magic Weekend is the pass out system. You can freely leave and re-enter the stadium throughout the day. It’s perfect for heading out to the Budweiser Plaza fan zone for food, music, and fresh air between games without losing your stadium seat.
Plan Your Travel and Accessibility
With over 75,000 fans descending on the docks, public transport is your friend. For families with access requirements, an accessible shuttle service runs from 10:30am on both days, picking up near Sandhills Station (at the junction of Bankhall Lane and Sandhills Lane).
Final Thoughts
Magic Weekend is truly unique. Where else in the world do you see fans from 12 different clubs sitting side by side in the stands, having a pint together, and cheering on the sport we love? It’s loud, it’s friendly, and it's the absolute pinnacle of family sporting events.
Throw on your team's colours, pack light to beat the bag check, download the official Hill Dickinson Stadium app for live transport updates, and get ready for a history making weekend of rugby league!
Who is your money on for the big derbies? Let us know in the comments below!
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