NRL Magic Round: Brisbane to channel Las Vegas vibe

Brisbane has become the centre of the rugby league universe, with the NRL drawing inspiration from the code’s bold foray into Las Vegas.

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The NRL is putting the Vegas in Bris Vegas as the bright lights of Magic Round ignite the River City.

Following Thursday night’s historic women’s State of Origin showdown, Brisbane is set to become the centre of the rugby league universe, with the NRL drawing inspiration from the code’s bold foray into Las Vegas to deliver an entertainment extravaganza on and off the field across the next three days.

Almost 50,000 visitors are expected to pack Brisbane, and a sold-out Suncorp Stadium, for the eight-game feast of football, with Brisbane Airport welcoming more than 15,000 extra travellers across the weekend and city hotel occupancy surging to more than 80 per cent in a $50 million windfall for the city.

Ramped up entertainment at a pedestrian-only Caxton Street – inspired by the offerings in Las Vegas, has been added to the menu in a bid to create a weekend-long celebration of rugby league extending far beyond Suncorp Stadium’s gates.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the stand-alone events in both Brisbane and Las Vegas had both benefited from the other.

“Naturally, we’ve drawn inspiration from Magic Round when developing the Las Vegas experience (and) there have also been some exciting elements from Las Vegas we’ve brought home with us to Brisbane,” he said.

“For all our major events, we aim to enhance the fan experience across the entire week and provide value to people travelling long distances to be part of the event and the rugby league community.”

Caxton St crowds at last year’s Magic Round

Suncorp Stadium boss Alan Graham sees synergies between Caxton Street’s pedestrian boulevard fan zone and the famous Fremont Street in Las Vegas, where hordes of NRL fans lapped up Sin City in all its glory during the opening round of the season in March.

“You ask “what are the things you can add to the experience?” and that (Fremont Street) is certainly something that immediately comes to mind,” he said.

“There are 55 events a year at Suncorp Stadium and Caxton Street is a real institution that has enormous potential to become like Fremont Street in Vegas.”

After a new deal last year, Magic Round will stay in Brisbane until at least the 2027 edition, with ARLC chairman Peter V’landys this week telling The Courier-Mail he believes it should stay in Brisbane.

At the event’s official launch on Thursday, Broncos fullback Reece Walsh called for Suncorp to remain the home of Magic Round, saying it “doesn’t get much better” than a packed Brisbane stadium.

Walsh, who will miss Magic Round after being sidelined with a knee injury, said it was a great opportunity for young Brisbane fans to watch their footy heroes in one place and feel the energy of the game.

“If we can keep having it in Brissy it will be awesome,” he said.

Mr Abdo said he would like to keep Magic Round at its home at Suncorp Stadium, especially if it continued to grow a fan base, but he avoided committing beyond two years because “2028 is a long time away.”

Mr Abdo recognised the Queensland Government had been behind the concept since the event’s inception from 2017 – two years before the first round when there was much cynicism for its potential.

The Sharks’ Nicho Hynes in Las Vegas

“And for as long as we see people enjoying Magic Round and travelling for it and its popularity grows, I’d love to be able to see it stay here,” he said.

“Equally at the end of the cycle we’ll have a look and make sure that we have an opportunity to think about where Magic Round lives long-term.

“But you’d rather (it) be the incumbent when it comes to the long-term investment for Magic Round.”

Sport Minister Tim Mander said he was heartened by comments from Mr V’landys that the event should remain at Suncorp beyond 2027.

“And where else would you have it than Brisbane and Queensland?” he said.

“It’s great for Queensland but it’s also great for the NRL.

“It is the best rugby league stadium in the world and I’ve seen them all.”

Brisbane Airport arrivals have already started ramping up, with passenger numbers up about 17,000 on average for the Magic Round weekend.

While no extra flights have been scheduled, arrivals from New Zealand and the Pacific Islands are also up an estimated 2400 passengers this week as a large contingent of Warriors fans head across the ditch to support their team.

Almost every flight from Sydney to Brisbane between 10am and 5pm on Friday is virtually sold out with a similar scenario expected for return flights on Monday.

Accor, which boasts a naming rights deal with Sydney’s main rugby league stadium, is also embracing Magic Round, with the company’s 19 Brisbane hotels featuring themed lobby takeovers, pop-up fan zones, match-inspired menus, in-room surprises and a rugby league trivia competition.

Occupancy at Accor Brisbane hotels is up 12 per cent on last year’s Magic Round period, while overall, Brisbane hotels are sitting above 80 per cent occupancy, up to 30 per cent higher than a typical non-event weekend during the quieter winter months.

Originally published as NRL Magic Round: Brisbane to channel Las Vegas vibe