In what is expected to be one of Brisbane’s biggest events of 2019, Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones has today announced the draw for the NRL’s Brisbane Magic Round.
Ms Jones said the Magic Round, a whole Premiership round of NRL all being played at Suncorp Stadium over four blockbuster days from 9 - 12 May 2019, had been specifically designed to maximise tourism outcomes.
"Fans from across the country will descend on Brisbane for four action-packed days of footy at Suncorp Stadium next May," Ms Jones said.
"The event will see back-to-back games played throughout the weekend and will be complemented with a festival throughout the Stadium precinct.
"This event is the first of its kind for the NRL – we know the Magic Round will be the hottest tickets on the NRL’s calendar for 2019.
"The game match-ups have been planned to maximise tourism outcomes and fan engagement so that each day is headlined by a Queensland club.
"We’ll have the Gold Coast Titans and Cronulla Sharks first up on Thursday night, Brisbane’s Broncos and the Manly Sea Eagles Friday night and the North Queensland Cowboys and South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday afternoon.
"With a team dominated by Queenslanders, the Melbourne Storm could be a home crowd favourite on Saturday as they take on the Parramatta Eels.
"Today’s NRL draw announcement shows there will be 44 NRL Premiership matches in Queensland in 2019 - eight of those over the Magic Round weekend."
Ms Jones said the government continued to work with the Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Marketing to secure valuable major events like the Magic Round for Queensland for Queensland.
"We’ve got the runs on the board when it comes to major events," she said.
"The Palaszczuk Government has more than doubled the value of Queensland’s major events calendar – this year tipped to generate $780 million for our economy."
Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said being chosen to host the inaugural NRL Magic Round once again demonstrated Brisbane’s reputation for staging world-class events.
"Brisbane will be in the sporting spotlight once again when all 16 NRL teams play a round in the one venue, which is set to attract thousands of visitors to our city," Cr Schrinner said.
"Major events such as the Magic Round inject $150 million into the city’s economy each year and support thousands of local jobs.
"We love our sport in Brisbane, and I’m looking forward to seeing Suncorp Stadium throw open its doors to sell-out crowds.
"I invite footy fans from afar to make the trip north to Brisbane to experience our warm hospitality and weather as well as our world-class entertainment and dining."
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said the Magic Round was a major milestone for Australian rugby league.
"Magic Round will be something unique to sport in this country," he said.
"It will be fantastic to see all 16 clubs in Brisbane over one weekend in what will be a real celebration of Rugby League."
The Brisbane Magic Round match ups are:
Thursday 9 May 2019: Titans v Sharks
Friday 10 May 2019: Tigers v Panthers
Eagles v Broncos
Saturday 11 May 2019: Bulldogs v Knights
Warriors v Dragons
Storm v Eels
Sunday 12 May 2019: Roosters v Raiders
Rabbitohs v Cowboys
