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The NRL is set to introduce an annual women's Magic Round from next season, with the inaugural two-day event to be held in Newcastle. On Tuesday, the league confirmed the men's format would be copied into the NRLW from 2025, with regional venues in NSW to host for the next three years. Six matches will be played over two days at McDonald Jones Stadium, as part of the expanded 12-team competition with the addition of Canterbury and return of the Warriors.
Newcastle has become the epicentre of women's rugby league popularity in recent years. A sold-out crowd of 25,782 attended State of Origin II this year at the ground - a record for the highest attended stand-alone women's match in history. "Magic Round has been one of the great success stories for the game and it is wonderful to be able to replicate the carnival and fun for the NRLW," ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys said in a statement. "The commission is invested in women's Rugby League and NRLW Magic Round is the next important step in the growth of the game." The announcement comes after Newcastle was also handed the women's State of Origin series decider for 2025, on May 29.
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