Everton Football Club has confirmed that Hill Dickinson Stadium will host the 2026 Betfred Super League Magic Weekend on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July.
The announcement follows the huge success of this month’s Ashes Test – the first major non-football event to be staged at the new stadium – which saw a sell-out crowd of 52,106 create a landmark moment for both the Club and the wider Liverpool City Region.
Rugby League will now return to the banks of the Mersey next summer, with Rugby League Commercial selecting Hill Dickinson Stadium as the home of one of the sport’s most celebrated weekends. Supporters from across the game can look forward to world-class facilities, outstanding views of the waterfront, and a buzzing Budweiser Plaza, which will host entertainment and activity throughout the two-day festival.
Magic Weekend will shift to a July slot for 2026 and once again feature a full round of Super League fixtures across the Saturday and Sunday. The schedule includes the revival of three classic derby clashes that lit up the very first Magic Weekend back in 2007.
Fans can expect a strong line-up of headline encounters, including reigning champions Hull KR taking on city rivals Hull FC, York Knights making their Magic Weekend debut against Huddersfield Giants, and Leigh Leopards facing Warrington Wolves to bring Saturday’s games to a close.
Sunday opens with Wakefield Trinity against Castleford Tigers, followed by the eagerly anticipated return of Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos, before the festival builds towards its traditional curtain-closer: Wigan Warriors v St Helens. Discussions are also ongoing around a standalone Magic fixture in France between Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique.
Angus Kinnear, Chief Executive Officer at Everton Football Club, said:
“We are incredibly proud to be welcoming Magic Weekend to Hill Dickinson Stadium so soon after the outstanding success of the Ashes Test earlier this month. Hosting a sell-out crowd for the first major non-football event in our new home was a landmark moment for the Club, and a powerful demonstration of what this stadium and our city can deliver.
“With world-class facilities for players, officials and fans, superb sightlines, and an expansive Plaza that lends itself perfectly to large-scale fan experiences, our waterfront home is the ideal location for Magic Weekend.
“We look forward to welcoming supporters from across the Rugby League community next July and showcasing, once again, the energy, ambition and hospitality that make Hill Dickinson Stadium and our city region such a special destination for major events.”
Everton Season Ticket Members will be contacted directly with details of a special sales process giving them exclusive access to purchase a limited number of discounted tickets for this historic two-day event at Everton’s home.
All other supporters – including Non-Season Ticket Members – are encouraged to register their interest via superleague.co.uk, ahead of tickets going on sale later in 2025.
Rhodri Jones, RL Commercial Managing Director, added:
“With memories still fresh of an unforgettable occasion for the Ashes Test, we’re delighted to be able to confirm a return to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the 2026 Betfred Super League Magic Wknd.
“This will be the seventh venue to stage Magic since it was introduced as a new concept for sport in 2007, and our clubs, players and supporters are in for a treat.
“It’s a stunning stadium with outstanding facilities at all levels, and also superbly located for summer on the waterfront, and with the many and varied attractions of Liverpool within easy reach.
“We’re looking forward to elevating our fan experience with a range of hospitality offers which proved so popular for the international, and the Budweiser Plaza outside the stadium is perfect for Magic.”
Betfred Super League Magic Weekend 2026 – Fixture Schedule
Saturday 4 July
- Huddersfield Giants v York Knights
- Hull KR v Hull FC
- Leigh Leopards v Warrington Wolves
Sunday 5 July
- Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers
- Leeds Rhinos v Bradford Bulls
- Wigan Warriors v St Helens
French ‘Magie’ Fixture – Date & Venue TBC
- Catalans Dragons v Toulouse Olympique
Kick-off times will be confirmed in due course.
READ MORE: Everton and Partners continue to Refine Matchday Travel around Hill Dickinson Stadium
