Leeds and Bradford face new opposition as Magic Weekend is remodelled for 2013

The likes of Leeds Rhinos stars Kevin Sinfield, Ryan Hall and Rob Burrow, plus Hull FC’s Tom 
Briscoe and Huddersfield’s Leroy Cudjoe, may well be taking a hard-earned break after a season that has effectively stretched on into a 10th month.

But the sands of time do not stop for anyone and, so we are already at that point where the next season of rugby league is officially mapped out.

The complete Super League fixture list was revealed today so supporters across the country now know who their clubs will be facing from February right through to, hopefully, October 5 and a Grand Final in Manchester.

Admittedly, a taster was offered on Friday when each top-flight club declared who their first home match would be against.

It was a decision which may have taken some of the traditional excitement out of today’s event but, nevertheless, it gave the sport an extra burst of publicity it can ill-afford to turn down.

So, everyone already knows who is up first, with Hull FC’s trip to champions Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants tackling their former boss Nathan Brown at 
St Helens obvious highlights.

It is no surprise that Sky Sports have chosen both these matches to televise live on the opening weekend.

The 18th Super League season gets underway on Friday, February 1 when Leeds begin their defence of the title at home to the Airlie Birds and cameras will also be at Langtree Park the following day for Giants’ intriguing game.

In one notable change for the 2013 campaign, the Magic Weekend has dispensed with one of its traditional fixtures.

All 14 Super League clubs will still head for Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium on the Bank Holiday weekend of May 25-26

However, Leeds will no longer play Bradford Bulls, the derby game that has featured in four of the six weekends so far.

Instead, the champions will face Wigan Warriors, which frees up their usual opponents St Helens to face Warrington Wolves in another enticing derby fixture.

This slight readjustment – aimed at creating more high-profile matches throughout the weekend – means Bradford will tackle neighbouring Huddersfield.

Magic Weekend opens at noon with Salford City Reds versus Widnes Vikings before Bradford and Huddersfield meet at 2.15.

In the third match on Saturday, the derby between Hull FC and Hull Kingston Rovers kicks off at 4.30 before Saints and Warrington provide the finale (6.45).

The Sunday list gets underway with Catalan Dragons versus London Broncos (3.00), continues with Castleford v Wakefield (5.15) and concludes as Grand Final winners Leeds do battle with Wigan (7.30).

The regular season concludes with the Round 27 fixtures over the weekend of September 6-8, after which the top eight clubs, as usual, enter the play-off race which culminates in the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.

The 2013 season will also feature a return to the popular Monday night Super League action on Sky Sports from May 20, when the first of nine ‘Extraordinary Monday’ fixtures launches with the usually seismic clash between Leeds and St Helens.

Eight different clubs will host these matches, which conclude with London Broncos versus Leeds on August 5.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are particularly busy on Monday nights – they visit Salford on June 8, head to Hull FC on July 1 and then, just a week later, host Widnes Vikings.

Meanwhile, Super League chief executive Nigel Wood is confidently predicting that a World Cup year will provide the catalyst for the greatest season of summer rugby yet.

Of course, after all the league drama dissipates, the much-anticipated Rugby League World Cup begins here on Saturday, October 26 with a double-header featuring England v Australia and Wales v Italy at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium before concluding with the final at Old Trafford on Saturday November 30.

“Super League continued to build in stature in 2012 with record attendances and viewing figures,” said Wood. “I am sure this exciting and action-packed fixture schedule will see even more people enjoy the experience of watching this extraordinary competition in 2013.

“We have a 14-team Super League in 2013 followed by a 14-nation Rugby League World Cup and that makes for the perfect formula for success.

“The chance to feature in the most successful Rugby League World Cup of all time at the end of the year is guaranteed to bring out the best in every Super League player and I share the view held by tens of thousands of fans that the big kick-off cannot come quick enough.

“The agreement struck with Manchester City to host Magic Weekend at the Etihad Stadium in 2013 and 2014 will see that event grow and the return of ‘Extraordinary Mondays’ live on Sky Sports will help showcase Super League to a wider audience.”

Leeds half-back Danny McGuire, the leading tryscorer in the Super League era, has signed a new contract that will keep him at Headingley until the end of 2015.

McGuire, who turns 30 next month, had 12 months to run on his current deal but penned a two-year extension.