The National Rugby League (NRL) has announced that NRL Magic Round will return to Brisbane for the next three years.
On the eve of NRL Magic Round Brisbane in 2024, Australian Rugby League Chairman Peter V’landys AM and National Rugby League CEO Andrew Abdo made the announcement alongside Queensland Premier the Hon Steven Miles and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.
The announcement will mean NRL Magic Round Brisbane, which sold out in record time in 2024, will be tied to Suncorp Stadium until 2027.
“Queensland without rugby league is like a beach without sand and sun. There is no greater sight than seeing the fans in their jerseys going down Caxton Street. No other street in Australia has the same atmosphere and excitement as Caxton Street. It’s an experience that everyone should add to their bucket list” Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys AM said.
“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. 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 said: “No other sport can compete with the unique week of entertainment offered by NRL Magic Round Brisbane.
“Fans from across the Pacific are voting with their feet, with 40% of ticket holders coming from outside of Queensland — a figure that has doubled since 2019.
“This year we’ve created a fan engagement precinct on Caxton Street and added Women’s State of Origin.
We are only scratching the surface of our vision to turn Magic Round into the number one total entertainment event of the sporting calendar.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo
“Bold visions can only work with great partners and we are excited to keep working with the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council until 2027 to ensure NRL Magic Round keeps setting the benchmark for sports entertainment in the Pacific.”
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said: “Brisbane brings the magic of Magic Round. It can’t be held anywhere else.
“When we brought this concept to reality in partnership with the NRL in 2019 we knew it would be a winner for players, fans and Queensland.
“The way Queenslanders and tourists have embraced Magic Round in Brisbane has made it clear this event just can’t happen anywhere else.
“I’ve loved coming along to Magic Round with my kids and dad every year, seeing the streets, restaurants and Suncorp packed with fans and I’m really looking forward to doing it again until 2027 and beyond.”
Queensland Tourism and Sport Minister Michael Healy added: “For a rugby league enthusiast like me this is the most magical time of the year, when fans get the chance to experience Brisbane’s great lifestyle and watch every game of round eleven from the best rectangular stadium on the planet.
“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.
“We know nearly half of all ticket holders for Magic Round come from interstate or New Zealand and that’s terrific news for accommodation, transport, hospitality, and tourism operators and for good Queensland jobs.
“Our partnerships make Magic Round possible, and this announcement is proof of that. Bring on the next three years.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said: “We are thrilled to be named future host of the NRL Magic Round, offering visitors and residents a captivating spectator experience within Suncorp Stadium and beyond into rugby league’s homeland.
“Attracting sporting fans from across the country, this homegrown throwdown gets bigger and better each year as more fans flock to our vibrant city for an unmissable festival of footy like no other.
“Adding to an already impressive major events calendar, we look forward to championing the legacy of rugby league while welcoming sell-out crowds that will fill our hotels, dine in our restaurants and enjoy our tourism experiences, delivering millions in economic benefit to Brisbane."
Tourism and Events Queensland Chief Executive Officer Patricia O’Callaghan added: ““Winning this bid is momentous for Brisbane and more broadly, Queensland.
“The NRL Magic Round is one of Queensland’s biggest events, filling local accommodation and seeing tens of thousands of fans planning an extended Queensland getaway months in advance.
“We have a solid partnership approach here in Queensland to securing and delivering events and winning this bid to retain Magic Round in Brisbane is a great demonstration of the success of that approach, having engaged state and local government agencies, Suncorp Stadium and industry partners like The Star Brisbane. I thank each of our partners who have worked hard to create this magic event and ensure it stays where it belongs.
“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.”
Magic Round Brisbane is supported by the Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, together with Brisbane City Council, via Brisbane Economic and Development Agency.
