When and where is the next Magic Round? Dates, location for 2025 NRL festival of rugby league
Magic Round is underway for 2024, and plans have already been made to continue the weekend in the future.
www.sportingnews.comHere’s the latest on Magic Round:
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The NRL’s Magic Round is continuing to be hosted in Brisbane, with talks around the future of the event beyond the current contract. The Brisbane edition has been described as a phenomenal success, and negotiations with the Queensland Government are ongoing to extend or refresh the deal. There is openness reportedly from the NRL to consider alternative formats or even international staging if a new agreement isn’t reached. [Source coverage from mid-May 2026 discusses ongoing negotiations and the possibility of moving or expanding the concept after 2027][1]
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In 2026, Brisbane’s Magic Round runs through the long weekend, continuing to attract full crowds and prominent media coverage. There’s emphasis on expanding the concept to include related events, such as a potential Global Round or overseas games in other markets, while keeping Brisbane as a central hub given its established success. [branded news clips and local coverage from May 2026][2]
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Background context: Magic Round began in 2019 in Brisbane, with a three-year contract subsequently extending it to at least 2027, confirming Brisbane as the home for the festival for the near term. The event constantly evolves, with discussions about adding standalone women’s games and adjusting the schedule around State of Origin, as part of broader growth. [Wikipedia summary of contract and history],[3][4]
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For fans in 2026, Magic Round remains a sell-out event with multiple games across the weekend, underscoring its popularity and its role as a highlight of the NRL calendar. Australian media outlets are consistently reporting on crowd size, venue logistics, and the potential for future expansion or relocation depending on negotiations and market opportunities. [9 News Australia and other local coverage],,[7][9][10]
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent articles and summarize them with direct quotes and dates, or set up a quick visual timeline of the key negotiation milestones and potential alternative locations being discussed.