Magic WKND Preview

Every Rugby League fan’s favourite weekend is back for 2024!

The 17th Betfred Super League Magic WKND is set to take place this weekend and will be staged at its sixth venue – Elland Road, the home of Leeds United FC.

All six Magic fixtures (Round 22) will be shown live and exclusively on Sky Sports, and with just six regular rounds of Super League to go, this weekend’s blockbuster matches are highly anticipated, as it’s all to play for.

It promises to be a HUGE weekend with six unmissable clashes as the race for the Play-Offs reaches boiling point, while fans can also enjoy interactive games, live entertainment, giveaways and MORE! 

Will you be there for the Elland Road extravaganza?

12 TEAMS. 2 DAYS. 1 EPIC EVENT.

Saturday 17 August

Hull FC v London Broncos (14.00)

The 2024 Magic Weekend will kickstart with a battle at the bottom as Hull FC go head-to-head with London Broncos.

The Black & Whites, always one of the best-supported clubs at Magic, will face a London side who are making their first Magic appearance since 2019.

The sides have only ever met once at Magic Weekend, with London (then Harlequins) running out 8-25 victors at Murrayfield, Edinburgh in 2010.

This year, however, it’s one a-piece – with Hull FC defeating the Broncos in Round 3, and London pulling off a superb win in Round 11.

Hull FC have made five changes to the squad that was named in advance of last weekend’s defeat to Leigh Leopards. Ligi Sao, Brad Fash and Jordan Lane return from suspension, Ed Chamberlain is available following the completion of his head injury protocols, and Jack Ashworth also returns from injury.

For London, it is a very familiar looking squad to that of Round 21, with just one change which sees Jensen Monk replace Matt Davies.

Wigan Warriors v St Helens (17.00)

There’s a mouthwatering middle fixture on the Saturday, as two of Rugby League’s biggest rivals face off on the big stage.

It's only the second time since 2012 that Wigan have faced Saints at Magic – but will also be a repeat of the Betfred Challenge Cup Semi Final between the clubs at Elland Road in 2022, when Liam Marshall's spectacular try clinched victory for the Warriors and a trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In history, they have played against each other in six Magics – Wigan winning two, Saints winning 3, as well as one draw.

They've won against each other once in 2024 – both triumphing in their home fixtures by tight margins.

We should certainly expect more fireworks on Saturday, but who will claim bragging rights at Magic WKND?

And can Wigan regain their lead at the top of the table, or will Saints continue to climb and salvage their season?

The Warriors head coach Matt Peet has made two changes to his squad for Magic as Tom Forber and Taylor Kerr replace Harry Smith and Ryan Hampshire.

For Saints, Paul Wellens makes four changes to his squad. Injuries picked up in Round 21 Devils will keep Mark Percival, Lewis Dodd, and Daryl Clark out of selection for a few weeks, and Morgan Knowles also begins serving a two-match suspension and will miss out on Magic.

Four younger Saints step in as a result, with prop George Delaney available after a brief spell on the sidelines with an injury. Jonny Vaughan, halfback Will Roberts and forward Leon Cowen are also named in the team.

Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos (19.30)

The Saturday night match will see Leeds Rhinos play a first Magic fixture in their home city against Warrington, under the lights at Elland Road.

It’s a huge clash where league standings are concerned, with Warrington chasing a top two spot, and Leeds on a late charge to try and make the Play-Offs.

This will be their first meeting in Magic history, and their third of the year. Sam Burgess’ Wolves have already won comfortably on both occasions but should expect a tougher test from Brad Arthur’s Rhinos this time around.

Both sides enter this game on the back of wins in Round 21, and Leeds will be especially boosted by their emphatic victory over Wigan.

Warrington's Ben Currie, Matty Nicholson, Josh Thewlis, Luke Yates and George Williams are all set to return to Magic having been rested for last weekend's win over London Broncos. 

The Rhinos will be without Brodie Croft who has been travelled home to Australia on compassionate grounds to attend his grandfather's funeral. He will return to Leeds next week. 

Winger Ash Handley returns to the squad after missing last week's win over Wigan through injury whilst Cameron Smith will return to captain the side having missed last week through suspension.

Sunday 18 August

Leigh Leopards v Salford Red Devils (13.30)

Two neighbours over the Pennines meet in West Yorkshire as the Leopards look to hunt down the Red Devils in the league table.

They’ve faced one another at Magic once before, and recent years have seen a series of highly competitive fixtures between the two.

As 6th v 8th take centre stage in Sunday's opening fixture, fans can look forward to witnessing the likes of Lachlan Lam in action - a player who has scored in Leigh's last three meetings against Salford.

Further, Salford also have Magic's top goal kicker Marc Sneyd in their side, who tops the leaderboard with 39 goals.

The Red Devils have Tim Lafai back at their disposal after serving his one-game suspension in Round 21.

Catalans Dragons v Hull KR (16.00)

It’s another first at Magic as Catalans Dragons and Hull KR entertain the crowd in another intense encounter.

Top spot is KR’s to lose heading into Magic WKND, and standing in their way will be a determined Dragons outfit who find themselves level on points with Saints and Salford.

Steve McNamara's men will no doubt want to secure their Play-Off place sooner rather than later.

The Robins have Magic’s top try scorer Ryan Hall in their team, who tops the leaderboard with eleven Magic tries. Head Coach Willie Peters also has named an unchanged 21-man squad for this weekend.

Catalans have Mike McMeeken back in their side, as well as new signing Reimis Smith. They both replace Sam Tomkins and Yacine Ben Abdeslem.

There was drop goal drama the last time these two sides faced off, where Catalans clinched a victory at the death.

Will we see more drama unfold on Sunday?

Huddersfield Giants v Castleford Tigers (18.30)

The final Sunday match features two West Yorkshire clubs who have been the most consistently successful Magic Weekend performers.

Both sides have won ten Magics in total, so the winner of Sunday’s game will top the leaderboard for the most Magic wins ever!

Make sure you stick around for this enthralling local derby!

Huddersfield are boosted by the return of their stars Esan Marsters, Matty English and Ashton Golding, while there are four changes to Castleford's squad with Jenson Windley, Fletcher Rooney, Luke Hooley and Cain Robb making way for the return of Paul McShane, Will Tate, Corey Hall and Brad Martin.

Betfred Super League heads to Elland Road on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August for this year's Magic WKND!

Be a part of it and purchase your tickets online now!

.@WiganWarriorsRL and @WarringtonRLFC have pushed their way up the ticket leaderboard in the final week before #MagicWKND ??

There are only a few days left to secure your place and bring the noise for your #SuperLeague team this weekend ?

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 14, 2024

Information regarding kick-off times can be found here, with ALL six games across the weekend broadcasted LIVE on Sky Sports.