FIRST and foremost, I am a rugby league fan just like you are.

As a fan, the Magic Weekend is one of the first things I look for when the Super League fixtures for the following year are released.

Where is it? When is it? Who’s playing who? All eagerly anticipated and I am sure it is the same for most rugby league fans.

There can be no doubt that Magic Weekend has been a massive hit with fans, who have flocked to wherever the RFL decides to take the concept in huge numbers.

On Saturday, we all head to Newcastle once again – the fourth time Magic Weekend has landed in the north east.

It is probably the place in which the annual mid-season jamboree has had the greatest lasting impact in terms of locals getting involved in the game.

More kids are playing rugby league on Tyneside, and more people are flocking to see Newcastle Thunder home matches.

Now, however, the event has reached a crossroads.

Last year’s total crowd – still high at just over 65,000 but nearly 3,000 down on 2016 – gave the slightest of hints that the game’s fanbase may be getting a little fed up of Newcastle.

It has been a superb host city, but I think this year should be the last time Magic Weekend heads north east. At least for the foreseeable future.

We have a product which is probably the only thing about Super League which is envied by the NRL.

Hosting it in the same place for any longer puts the concept in danger of going stale, something nobody wants.

That poses a question though; where do we go next?

Noises have been made about taking Magic Weekend to London and, more specifically, Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium.

That would certainly be an exciting step for the game, but do we need another big day out in the capital?

How about Liverpool? Anfield hosted the Four Nations final back in 2016 to great success and will stage one of England’s home Test matches against New Zealand in November.

Another big crowd for that game may well tip the balance in their favour and take Magic Weekend to Merseyside.

Coventry? Perhaps, but if you look back at previous Magic hosts, they have been cities high on the ‘must visit’ list.

Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle are all popular places to visit. With the greatest of respect, Coventry does not hold the same appeal.

Let’s put all that on the backburner for now, though, and enjoy what we hope will be another memorable weekend.

Do you think Magic Weekend should move on next year? Have your say in our poll below