Rugby League's "Magic Weekend"

Got my (all day) tickets and accommodation sorted in Newcastle. 6 BetFred Super League Games, over 2 days in a single event at St James Park. What other sport gives you that kind of opportunity, all at once? I get that rugby league is the lesser known cousin of rugby union. It is also very regional and pretty unsung until the recent efforts to get the sport to a wider audience (All BetFred games shown by sky for example) With exception of the Challenge Cup coverage on the BBC, it was virtually unmentioned. But I was involved with my brother at a very early age at Widnes (Who? I hear you cry, stop laughing at the back)) until we were forced kicking and screaming further south due to our parents work commitments. Having no other option available we continued to play the 'union' version of rugby. Neither of us lost the love of our roots or the enthusiasm we had for, what we deemed, as 'proper' rugby. Preferences, of whichever sports you follow aside, the cost of attending other venues/sports on a May bank holiday weekend would be astronomical. Rugby League seems to keep the prices very affordable to its communities. Prices ranging from just over £40 to just over £110 to watch all matches (not each game individually) on both days, that is incredibly reasonable now days, plus a great way to spend a weekend.
Expecting the usual 'That's coz it's crap' and 'it's because nobody watches it anyway' type negative comments, but its one other sport that I follow along side Celtic games and it has seemed to remain family orientated and affordable for everyone.
So wondering are there any other League fans out there? It's ok I'll wait ............

 

Used to go to some of the 'magic weekends' that the NRL used to do (and still do), whent they were trying to revive the game as a unified entity after the 'Super League' war. They were pretty good value, and unlike football, you can get fans of all the various teams intermingling without the toxicity that requires segregated fan sections. So going with a couple of mates supporting different teams pretty much meant that even as a neutral there was still an interest going on.

Haven't really followed the Super League over here too closely, but did note that there is to be a Kangaroo tour at the end of this season (Oct/Nov) with 3 tests to be played, at Wembley, Everton's new stadium and at Headingley. Just like football, am not super keen on Internationals, but as its the first tour of it's kind in over 20 years or something, was worth noting.

 

Debating whether to attend one or two of the 'Ashes' games this year or the 'Challenge Cup final' and 'League Shield' It's good when the love of the game outweighs the following of a single team. Sure we all have our favourites or ones close to our hearts. For me I'm a huge Warriors fan although not a good start to this season I must say. My heart still lies with the Vikings due to involvement as a young player in the schoolboy teams. The admiration of Rhino's teams from days gone by their sheer dominance and to a certain degree Saints for the same reason. I feel the Robins are this seasons team to beat along with Trinity. But always want Catalans to do well for some odd reason.
I watch the early NRL games shown on Sky and it seems more free flowing and pacier plus the skill set is slightly different to our home grown 'grunt' and game play. Although I feel it lacks the atmosphere generated here. As for 'the captains challenge' well you can have that back. A good idea that seems quite at home in the NRL, it seems to work ok. But here, in our game, it just seems an excuse for a moan and a breather lol. Maybe it is better handled in the bunker over there, it's quick and informative, here the process is slow, drawn out and even 'inconclusive' to our 'upstairs video officials'.
Hopefully the intended growth of the sport on all levels will still see it remain true to its roots and not become too money orientated like football and union, and fans won't be priced out.

It's called 'the greatest game on earth', just pray it remains one of the cheapest too