‘Like a beach without sand’: Brisbane beats rival bids to keep Magic Round for the next three years

NRL fans in NSW have missed out on Magic Round, with the location of the annual event locked in for the next three years.

Magic Round is staying in Brisbane.

Magic Round is staying in Brisbane for at least the next three years, with Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys declaring “Queensland without rugby league is like a beach without sand and sun”.

Now in its fifth year, the concept appears to be more popular than ever, with the NRL announcing on Wednesday that tickets to all three days had sold out in record time, with a record crowd of more than 25,000 fans there to see NSW win game one of the women’s State of Origin series.

There had been calls for New Zealand or other major Australian cities to host the annual event, but Magic Round is staying put until at least the end of 2027.

The other states tried to take it.

But the truth is Queensland puts the magic in Magic Round.

We have the best stadium, the best city – and the best rugby league fans.

So we've made sure Magic Round stays in Brisbane.

Where it belongs. pic.twitter.com/GwydFePJdv

— Steven Miles (@StevenJMiles) May 16, 2024

“Queensland without rugby league is like a beach without sand and sun,” V’landys said.

“There is no greater sight than seeing the fans in their jerseys going down Caxton St. No other street in Australia has the same atmosphere and excitement as Caxton St. It’s an experience that everyone should add to their bucket list.

“So there is no surprise that engagement is such that all three days of Magic Round sold out in record time. Thousands of people will converge on Brisbane this week and millions more will watch at home, generating an enormous economic impact for Queensland.

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

Magic Round has been widely popular, with fans of all clubs descending on Brisbane to enjoy a carnival of rugby league. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

V’landys joked that the Brisbane bid “screwed them on price” and wasn’t the highest bidder but thanked the city for supporting the NRL during the Covid lockdown.

“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,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“This year we’ve created a fan engagement precinct on Caxton St and added Women’s State of Origin.

“We are only scratching the surface of our vision to turn Magic Round into the No. 1 total entertainment event of the sporting calendar.”