Magic Weekend may still happen in Newcastle this year – with Paris move on wishlist

SUPER League may still keep the Magic in the 2020 season later in the year.

All roads should have led to Newcastle this weekend for the annual showpiece which sees an entire round of fixtures played at the same ground.

The Covid-19 outbreak and rugby league's shutdown shelved the takeover of St James' Park.

But SunSport has learned it is not out of the question that all 12 top flight clubs may head to the North-East.

It is believed the hope is that it can be arranged, with fans, with indications pointing towards some time in October or November.

And it is likely to be discussed at a meeting of top flight clubs next week, with fixtures believed to be high on the agenda after three different proposals were revealed.

However, there are a number of factors to consider, like Government advice, if there is a second spike of infections and what the Premier League football season looks like.

Alternatives are being considered, such as moving it to another large northern football stadium or having it across two Super League venues – most likely at Leeds and St Helens.

One thing that is almost certain to not happen, though, is Magic Weekend is held behind closed doors.

After moving around from Cardiff to Edinburgh, to Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, it looked like Magic had found a home in Newcastle.

And it is hoped it will head back there in 2020 after last year's event shifted to Anfield.

One insider also said they 'strongly suspect' it will also be back there for 2021, hopefully on the second Bank Holiday weekend in May.

That will knock back hopes of moving it to Paris, which was talked about by both Super League chiefs and authorities in the French capital.

The Parc des Princes – home of football giants Paris St Germain - was thought to have been earmarked for the 2021 version, all being well.

However, the virus looks set to keep it in Newcastle, with cost of travel for both players and fans the reason why it is likely to remain in the UK.

But hopes of eventually taking it across the Channel have not gone away, with one source telling SunSport: “Paris remains very much in the longer term plans.”