Inside the pitch which kept Magic Round in Brisbane for a further three years

The NRL is set to confirm today a new agreement for Brisbane to remain as Magic Round hosts but it came after fierce competition from a cashed-up WA government, SA and even New Zealand.

Magic Round will stay in Brisbane until at least 2027 after a Queensland delegation wowed the NRL with a bold bid to keep rugby league’s showpiece in the Sunshine State in the face of audacious poaching raids.

Days after The Courier-Mail revealed Brisbane was poised to retain the event, the NRL will on Friday confirm a new three-year agreement – the longest commitment in the event's history, but it came after fierce competition, particularly from a cashed-up WA government keen to take Magic Round across the country.

Moves to South Australia and New Zealand were also considered, but it is understood the decision came down to a huge financial offer from WA against Queensland’s vision to turn Magic Round into a genuine festival of football incorporating the women’s State of Origin, a carnival-like atmosphere around Suncorp Stadium and co-ordinated tourism campaigns to bring more visitors from interstate and overseas.

Ryan Pratt, Taylor Olzard, Tom Mitchell, Lachy Patrick, Ella Hutchinson and Rebecca Stewart gearing up for Magic Round. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Queensland’s bid was understood to be considerably less than WA’s in dollar terms, but it will still be worth every cent, with Magic Round tipped to inject more than $150 million into the Brisbane economy over the next three years.

A delegation including representatives from Tourism and Events Queensland, the State government, Suncorp Stadium and the Brisbane Economic Development Agency met NRL powerbrokers in Sydney last October, sewing the seeds for the landmark new deal.

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys said Magic Round in Brisbane should be on the bucket list of every sports fan.

“Brisbane is the home of Magic Round, and I’m very pleased that we will be back here until 2027,” he said.

“It’s just reward for the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council who had the foresight to partner with us on this initiative.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo says no other sport can compete with the spectacle of Magic Round.Picture: Justin Lloyd.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said “no other sport can compete” with the spectacle and atmosphere of Magic Round in Brisbane.

“Fans from across the Pacific are voting with their feet, with 40 per cent of ticket holders coming from outside of Queensland – a figure that has doubled since 2019,” he said.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said Magic Round should remain in Brisbane for keeps.

“Brisbane brings the magic of Magic Round,” he said.

“The way Queenslanders and tourists have embraced Magic Round in Brisbane has made it clear this event just can’t happen anywhere else.”

Queensland Tourism and Sport Minister Michael Healy said Magic Round was “the most magical time of the year” for footy fans.

“Magic Round is Queensland to the boot laces, made for Queenslanders – the city will be buzzing, and I can’t wait to see supporters from all the different teams parading a sea of club colours down Caxton Street and enjoying this incredible festival of footy,” he said.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he always looked forward to Magic Round. Picture: Liam Kidston

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the benefits of Magic Round were felt across the city.

“We look forward to championing the legacy of rugby league while welcoming sellout crowds that will fill our hotels, dine in our restaurants and enjoy our tourism experiences, delivering millions in economic benefit to Brisbane,” he said.

TEQ CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said international audiences would be targeted in a bid to increase Magic Round’s appeal across the globe.

“As we take this event to the next level you can expect to see the city come even more alive and of course we’ll ramp up our international marketing efforts to shine even more of a spotlight on this exceptional event,” she said.

South Australia, which has hosted the AFL’s copycat Magic Round event for the past two years was also interested in snaring the rugby league showpiece after a hugely successful State of Origin match last year, while New Zealand was also viewed as a possible location.

However, it is understood the time zone difference concerned officials as games would need to be played late at night to line up with prime time television slots in Australia.

Queensland is set to repay the NRL’s faith, with all three days of this year’s event selling out in record time, meaning attendance should top 150,000 people.