Re: Should we have a second magic weekend. : Thu May 26, 2016 4:12 am  

The challenge cup idea is a belter. It's desperate for a revamp and we'd be stupid to scrap it because we really need the final. This is a great way to increase the profile and attendance of the qualifying rounds. If the RFL aren't working on this already perhaps Marwan has a point.

The only change I'd make is to the venues. The earlier rounds would need to be closer to the heartlands. Also TV coverage & contracts would be an issue with it being split between BBC and Sky and all four games being shown in the quarters. A solution could be to use 2 venues in the same city.

e.g. Round 6 in Sheffield: Day 1 at United and Day 2 at Wednesday.
Quarters at Liverpool/Everton over 2 days.
Fewer people would stay for the weekend, but RL fans' pockets are only so deep.
The semis may have to stay as they are unless the BBC can be persuaded to show 2 games on one day.

I haven't calculated the total attendances of the cup, but this would surely beat that as well as consolidating overheads. The smaller clubs who make it to round 6 would benefit the most, if the profits are shared equally, giving an attainable target for many of them.

As usual Sky wanting Thursday/Friday games will probably scupper it, but the RFL need to make it happen.

Re: Should we have a second magic weekend. : Thu May 26, 2016 9:16 am  

I really like the Challenge Cup idea but think it might prove a bit too much for some fans in terms of travel expenses, and this might scupper the attendances.

So perhaps just stick to using neutral grounds around the M62 corridor and it might just work.

Re: Should we have a second magic weekend. : Thu May 26, 2016 12:19 pm  

I'd do something like:
6th Round - Nottingham - 1 day at Forest, 2nd day at County
Quarter Finals - Liverpool - Day 1 Anfield, Day 2 Goodison
Semi Finals - double header at Etihad
Final obviously at Wembley.

Stick £40/£50 or so on top of the regular season ticket and get entry to any cup game (even if your team isn't playing) from 6th round to semi finals.

Re: Should we have a second magic weekend. : Thu May 26, 2016 5:17 pm  

Him wrote:

I'd do something like:
6th Round - Nottingham - 1 day at Forest, 2nd day at County
Quarter Finals - Liverpool - Day 1 Anfield, Day 2 Goodison
Semi Finals - double header at Etihad
Final obviously at Wembley.

Stick £40/£50 or so on top of the regular season ticket and get entry to any cup game (even if your team isn't playing) from 6th round to semi finals.

That's ok but can't see using 2 grounds in the same city being economically viable. 2 lots of set up costs each weekend - pitch branding/stewarding/cameras etc. I'd just use the 1 ground at each location (like Magic)

I like the idea for the challenge cup as it definitely needs a revamp, but I'd probably only use it for one of the rounds. Quarter final seems like the best round to use for this - 4 games played over a weekend.

Re: Should we have a second magic weekend. : Fri May 27, 2016 10:19 am  

pocket 4's wrote:

That's ok but can't see using 2 grounds in the same city being economically viable. 2 lots of set up costs each weekend - pitch branding/stewarding/cameras etc. I'd just use the 1 ground at each location (like Magic)

I like the idea for the challenge cup as it definitely needs a revamp, but I'd probably only use it for one of the rounds. Quarter final seems like the best round to use for this - 4 games played over a weekend.

But in round 6 now you have 8 x set-up. The only reason for 2 grounds is because there are 2 TV companies so it would be difficult for them to use the same one.