The Magic Round Returns to Brisbane
The NRL’s Magic Round has made its way back to Brisbane for another year, highlighting the growing importance of the women’s game and offering a significant boost to the Queensland economy. Over the next three days, Lang Park in Brisbane will host 16 NRL teams competing in eight games, making it a major event in the rugby league calendar.
A New Tradition with Strong Momentum
Since 2024, the Magic Round has started with the second game of the NRLW State of Origin clash between the Queensland and New South Wales women’s teams. This year, the Blues secured a 14-10 victory over Queensland at Lang Park on Thursday night, marking their second consecutive Women’s State of Origin series win.
Kennedy Cherrington, a Blues player, emphasized the significance of integrating the women’s game into the broader rugby league scene. “The energy, seeing the fans in the streets, and being a part of this roster, I think it’s very important that we have the women’s game be part of it,” she said.
With numerous games taking place in a short period, Cherrington noted the increased attention from fans. “There’s a lot of eyes in the crowd,” she added. “That’s been an awesome momentum to take into the NRLW season, creating a normality with the household names with the women’s game and just propelling that into the NRLW season.”
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo praised the success of the Thursday night game, which attracted around a million viewers. “Hats off to the players who put on a terrific game,” he said. He also expressed excitement about the Magic Round staying in Queensland, noting that fans love coming to the state for rugby league.
Grounds Management: A Major Challenge
Preparing Lang Park for the Magic Round is a massive task, as the field must withstand repeated use by teams over several days. Matthew Oliver, the head grounds manager, shared his experience managing the venue for the fourth time. “We’re controlling how much moisture is in the field, the firmness, the traction, and the like, and obviously grass coverage, the height of the grass,” he said.
However, weather conditions remain unpredictable. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast unsettled weather for the weekend, with showers likely over several days. Despite these challenges, Oliver remains confident in the field’s condition. “I think come Sunday, by the last game, the field should still be performing as well as it was on Thursday,” he said.
Economic Impact on Queensland
The Magic Round is expected to bring a significant economic boost to Queensland. Natassia Wheeler, CEO of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, highlighted the anticipated influx of fans. “Around 73 per cent was the average occupancy across the city for Magic Round for the whole weekend,” she said. On Saturday, the occupancy rate reached 77 per cent, far exceeding the usual May occupancy rate of 55 per cent.
Despite the positive numbers, Wheeler noted some challenges due to the fuel crisis caused by events in the Middle East. “We are seeing a reduction in caravanners, that grey nomad travelling north,” she said. However, the Magic Round continues to attract visitors from all over Australia, including regional areas.
Future of Magic Round
The Queensland government recently confirmed a deal with the NRL to continue hosting the Magic Round until at least 2032. While there were concerns about potential competition from Sydney and Perth, Premier David Crisafulli confirmed the festival would remain in Brisbane.
“Magic Round is a chance for Queensland to showcase itself as a world-class major event host … ahead of the 2032 Olympics,” Wheeler said. The event not only highlights the state’s ability to host major sporting events but also strengthens its position as a key destination for sports tourism.
