The NRL Magic Round will return to Brisbane in 2022 providing a major boost to Queensland’s economy.
Magic Round provided Brisbane’s biggest cash injection since the coronavirus pandemic, which saw every NRL match of the round played across one weekend.
The annual event, first held in Brisbane 2019, was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, but Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the 2019 edition brough more than $20 million into Queensland’s economy.
The action packed 3-day festival of rugby league again proved a big success in 2021, generating more than $20 million into Queensland’s economy as thousands of visitors travelled in from interstate.
It is also estimated a quarter of the 125,000 tickets sold for the weekend’s event at Suncorp Stadium went to people outside of Brisbane. 25,000 tickets had been secured by interstate or New Zealand visitors.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed in a statement on Sunday morning the massive event will be hosted in Brisbane once again in 2022.
“Hosting all 16 NRL teams at Suncorp Stadium for Magic Round has been a recipe for success and securing it in Brisbane for yet another year demonstrates Queensland’s ability to host world-class sporting events,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Since February this year, Queensland has been the frontrunner to host the 2032 Olympic Games, when the International Olympic Committee designated Queensland as the “preferred host candidate”.
The Gold Coast is home to many annual Queensland sporting events.
The premier said it was now calling on the NRL to come to a long-term deal to host Magic Round in Brisbane in the future.
“Rugby League is in our blood, and NRL Commission chief Peter V’landys has acknowledged that Brisbane has one of the best sporting stadiums in the world.
“While it’s disappointing that despite all our best efforts, the NRL Grand Final still remains firmly in Sydney each year, I want to ensure the Magic Round continues on as a stand-out annual fixture in our state.
“Continuing to support major events is a vital part of our economic recovery as they pump millions of dollars into our economy and support local jobs,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Queensland Tourism and Sports Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe said securing the NRL Magic Round for another year was a big win for Queensland.
“We continue to demonstrate Queensland is Australia’s sporting capital,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“I’m keen to see Magic Round in Brisbane become an NRL tradition like the State of Origin.
“With a Queensland team on the paddock every day of Magic Round this is a uniquely Queensland festival of NRL football.
Magic Round continuous the bursting calendar month for Queensland sporting events.
May has already delivered the Super Rugby AU grand final at Suncorp stadium and the U20 Australian Basketball Championships in Mackay and is currently hosting the Australian Gymnastics Championships on the Gold Coast.
Later in the month, Cairns is set to host the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games and the Sunshine Coast will host a Multisport Festival.
