The NRL Magic Round will return to Brisbane again in 2022 in an agreed deal expected to pump more than $20m into the economy with a call for negotiations on a new lock-in contract to get under way.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the NRL Magic Round had proven to be a unique, marque event which further enhances Brisbane and Queensland's great sporting reputation.
"I'm urging the NRL now to get round the table so we can draw up and sign off on a long-term contract to ensure it to continues to be staged here every year.
"The action packed, 3-day festival of league has brought thousands and thousands of people to Brisbane and booked out hotel rooms right across the city.
"Over 125,000 tickets have already been snapped up – nearly a quarter of those are from people outside Brisbane and 25,000 have been secured by intrastate and New Zealand visitors.
"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.
"We developed the idea of Magic Round Brisbane in conjunction with Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane City Council, through the Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
"The winning concept was always a no brainer.
"Queensland is the passionate home of rugby league and we were confident it would drive strong economic outcomes and great visitor numbers for our tourism sector.
"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," Ms Palaszczuk said,
"I've also noted Mr V'landys has said - 'There may be another time where we might look at other cities for the Magic Round, but at the moment I love the concept in Brisbane. It's a Queensland event.'
"Yes, Peter - it is a great Queensland event, and it must stay that way.
"So once the NRL season ends in September I want negotiations started on a new deal to ensure Brisbane remains the true, home of the Magic Round for well into the long term future.
"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.
"In 2019, the Magic Round Brisbane pumped more than $20 million into Brisbane's economy and booked out 109,000 room nights for the city's tourism industry and despite the impacts of COVID-19, we've seen a strong turnout again this year.
"We expect about 25,000 visitors from intrastate and New Zealand to have travelled this weekend to Brisbane for the event and next year we hope this will be even greater turnout thanks to our strong COVID recovery.
"This means more people in hotel beds, eating out at our world-class restaurants and enjoying the many experiences on offer in Queensland's capital, Brisbane."
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says securing the NRL Magic Round Brisbane for another year is a fantastic result for Brisbane and a win for local businesses.
"I'm thrilled we can bring this blockbusting event back to Brisbane in 2022," Cr Schrinner said.
"Having this event already locked into the calendar to return in 12 months' time will boost the confidence of our local businesses as they can guarantee an economic boost from this event again in 2022.
"I encourage anyone who wants to come along in 2022 to consider staying a little longer and plan now to make a holiday out of it and enjoy all that Brisbane has to offer."
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe 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.
"This NRL Magic Round is an important feature of the It's Live! in Queensland events calendar, expected to generate $215 million for the state's economy in the first half of 2021 alone."
