NRL Magic Round officially a sellout success

All three days of Brisbane’s carnival of rugby league are a sellout, with a record total crowd of 150,000 expected over the weekend.

The NRL’s Magic Round has officially sold out, in an amazing result for Brisbane’s three-day football feast.

All three days of the carnival of rugby league are a complete sellout, with a record total crowd of 150,000 expected over the weekend.

The previous record was in the vicinity of 130,000, with the 2023 sellout giving further ammunition to Queensland powerbrokers to keep the event in Brisbane long-term.

The event is projected to inject nearly $30 million to the state’s economy.

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Thousands of league fans have thronged the Caxton St precinct near Suncorp Stadium ahead of the opening-night NRL double-header.

Fans on XCaxton Street before rthe opening game. Picture: NRL Photos

Friday’s schedule kicks off with Canberra Raiders taking on Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, before hometown heroes the Brisbane Broncos surrender home-ground rights to the Manly Sea Eagles for their traditional clash.

Three matches will be played on Saturday and the final three on Sunday, with Queensland teams playing each day.

On Sunday master coach Wayne Bennett will mark his 900th NRL match at the helm of newest Queensland team the Dolphins.

The Magic Round has already sold out. Picture: NRL Photos

One Caxton St hospitality worker said: “We’ve been absolutely flat out.”

Caxton Hotel manager Georgie Hull said the establishment had to have extra deliveries of beer for Friday, and Thursday had been a huge day of getting all the bars ready.

“We started setting up what we could last week and yesterday it was a mad rush to get everything ready,” she said

“I think it’ll be a big weekend.”

Translink are once again offering footy fans free travel and extra services over the weekend and encourage fans to opt for public transport as the safest and easiest way of travel.

Dedicated shuttle buses will run to Suncorp Stadium from Brisbane including Ann St, Carindale, Chermside, Eight Mile Plains/Garden City and The Gap, and loops back at the end of each game.

A Raiders fan outside the stadium. Picture: NRL Photos

Additional trains will also run after each game.

Translink lead Sally Stannard said with limited parking around Suncorp Stadium, we recommend patrons leave the car at home and catch public transport.

“More than 130,000 fans attended Magic Round last year and we’re looking forward to playing our role of getting supporters to and from the stadium safely across the weekend.

“The NRL’s best will be on show and public transport is the best way to make sure you don’t miss a minute of the action,” Ms Stannard said.