Free travel offer for NRL Magic Round: What’s on, when and how to get there

This week’s huge NRL Magic Round will bring thousands to southeast Queensland to watch eight games over four days. What’s on, when and how to get there — for free.

Payne Haas of the Broncos takes on the defence during the round 7 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Suncorp Stadium on April 27. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

FOOTY frenzy will take hold of Brisbane this week, when Suncorp Stadium hosts 16 teams for eight games across four days.

The NRL Magic Round begins on Thursday, sparking a sports tourism mini-boom to the city. The State Government is expecting about 150,000 people to watch the round nine games at the Milton stadium.

Ticketholders are even being shouted free public transport, to try and calm the expected traffic burden created by the Magic Round crowds.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said spectators holding pre-purchased game-day tickets, accredited passes, or stadium memberships could travel free on Queensland Rail city network trains and Brisbane Transport buses from noon to the last scheduled service of the day (schedule listed below).

“The Magic Round is the first of its kind and a boon for the Queensland economy. We’re expecting more than 150,000 people to attend the games and we encourage them to make the most of public transport,” Mr Bailey said.

“Fans heading to the game can either catch a regular timetabled or special event service with other league fans and enjoy the great atmosphere on board.”

He said high frequency shuttle buses would run to the stadium from Brisbane City Hall, while normal shuttle buses would depart Carindale, Chermside and Eight Mile Plains busway stations.

The first game is Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks at 7.50pm on Thursday.

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MAGIC ROUND SCHEDULE:

Magic Round Daily Schedule

May 8: King Georges Square: Youi Million Dollar Kick and Fan Event, from noon

May 9: Suncorp Stadium, Titans v Sharks 7.50pm

May 10: Suncorp Stadium, Wests Tigers v Panthers 6pm; Sea Eagles v Broncos 7.55pm

May 11: Suncorp Stadium, Bulldogs v Knights 3pm; Warriors v Dragons 5.30pm; Storm v Eels 7.35pm

May 12: Suncorp Stadium, Roosters v Raiders 2pm; Rabbitohs v Cowboy 4.05pm

TICKETS HERE

Amy and George Sheppard from the band Sheppard will be playing Suncorp Stadium during the Magic Round. Picture: AAP/David Clark

ENTERTAINMENT

MAY 9: ARC — 7.25pm and 8.35pm

MAY 10: Sheppard — 6.45pm & 8.50pm

MAY 11: Stafford Brothers — 5.10pm, 6.10pm, 8.15pm

MAY 12: The Preatures — 2.50pm & 4.50pm

WATCH IT AT HOME:

All games live on NRL Live Pass, Fox League (Australia) and Sky NZ (New Zealand)

Titans v Sharks (Thursday), Sea Eagles v Broncos (Friday), Rabbitohs v Cowboys (Sunday) live on Channel 9 (NSW & Queensland) and GEM (Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia)

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FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES:

Pre-game shuttle services will operate from 5:50pm to 7:50pm from the city and 5:50pm to 7:30pm from the suburbs on Thursday.

On Friday they’ll run from 4:55pm, with the last services at 7:55pm from the CBD and 7:35pm from the suburbs.

Saturday shuttle buses will run between 2pm and 7pm. The last service from the city will depart 7pm while in the regions 6:40pm.

Sunday, shuttle services will run for three hours from 12:05pm to 3:05pm.

Shuttle buses will also depart The Gap park ‘n’ ride to Given Terrace, opposite the stadium’s northern plaza.

Post-game shuttle services will continue to run one hour after the final game each day.

Suncorp Stadium is a 500m walk from Milton train station.

To plan your travel on the TransLink network check the journey planner on the TransLink website, download the free MyTransLink app or call 13 12 30, anytime.