NRL CEO Andrew Abdo reveals interest in Magic Round from Queensland rivals

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has lavished praise on the Queensland government for its ongoing support of Magic Round but refused to rule out one day taking the showpiece event to fresh overseas markets.

Andrew Abdo reveals there’s outside interest in the Magic Round event.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has lavished praise on the Queensland government for its ongoing support of Magic Round but refused to rule out one day taking the showpiece event to fresh overseas markets.

Abdo, speaking after three days of sell outs at Suncorp Stadium, was full of praise for the Queensland government and confirmed the game would sit down with premier David Crisafulli in the near future to discuss their plans for the concept.

Premier Crisafulli has made no secret of his desire to extend the existing arrangement beyond the 2027 season and Abdo concedes the event is gaining international popularity and interest.

“I think that at some point in the future you’d want to (take it overseas) because our strategy is to try and globalise the sport that we love and take it to new markets,” Abdo said.

“I’m talking now down the track - it’s an option for us for sure because what our fans have shown is they like to travel and experience bucket-list destinations.

“The second thing is obviously the opportunity to acquire fans in that country, in that region. That’s what our US strategy in Las Vegas is all about.”

Brisbane’s Magic Round deal expires in 2027. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

The NRL already has an ongoing commitment in place to open the season in Las Vegas but there are clearly other overseas markets on the game’s agenda.

Given speculation surrounding a potential takeover of Super League by the NRL, Wembley looms as a potential home for Magic Round.

It would take something special to prise the event from the clutches of Queensland given the way the government has backed the concept since its inception.

“We want to think of ways in which we can make it better,” Abdo said.

“Then at some point, whether it’s next year or the year after, we will certainly engage with the Queensland Government, who’ve been great partners and backed us right in the beginning when this was just an idea and there were lots of obstacles and hurdles.

“But we’ve also had interest from elsewhere. So we’ll have a look at the business case and then the ARL Commission will make a decision.

“That’s in a good position for the sport to be in. I think firstly we want to keep growing the event so in ’26 and ’27 we want to make this even bigger.

“The players do a great job on the field but what else can we do to make this a great experience?”

Abdo’s praise for the players resonated even more given the concerns over Magic Round this year. After a spate of sin-bins last weekend, there were genuine fears that the three days could be overshadowed by the officials in the bunker.

Those fears were unfounded after the NRL vowed to recalibrate their standard for using the bin. The referees played their part but so did the players.

“Credit needs to go to the players,” Abdo said.

“We’ve seen way less high tackles this game, great discipline by the teams and the players and the referees have done exactly what we know they can do, which is use and apply the tools in front of them and their judgement.

“So I’m going to give full credit to the players and the referees because we’re not talking about sin-bins, we’re not talking about high tackles.

“We’re talking about some pretty exciting games of football.”

Originally published as NRL CEO Andrew Abdo reveals interest in Magic Round from Queensland rivals