Super League will aim to build on the Ashes Test success at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium when Magic Weekend heads to Merseyside next summer.

Liverpool replaces Newcastle as the host city for the two-day rugby league festival on July 4 and 5.

Saturday's line-up is headlined by the Hull derby following a clash between Huddersfield Giants and top-flight newcomers York Knights.

On Sunday, Wakefield Trinity take on Castleford Tigers before Bradford Bulls lock horns with Leeds Rhinos in another West Yorkshire showdown.

Leigh Leopards face Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors tackle St Helens, while Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique will meet at a neutral venue in France yet to be determined.

The decision to move Magic Weekend to Liverpool – led by RL Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones – is set to be welcomed by fans who flocked to the impressive dockside stadium for England's recent sold-out international against Australia.

"With memories still fresh of an unforgettable occasion for the Ashes Test, we're delighted to be able to confirm a return to Hill Dickinson Stadium for the 2026 Betfred Super League Magic Weekend," said Jones.

"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.

Rugby league will return to Everton next year. (Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

placeholder image — Rugby league will return to Everton next year. (Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

"It's a stunning stadium with outstanding facilities at all levels and also superbly located for summer on the waterfront, 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 plaza outside the stadium is perfect for Magic.

"We continue to work with the Dragons and Toulouse on the feasibility of delivering a very special event in France, too. We hope to be able to announce something in the near future on this."

Magic Weekend has led a charmed life in recent years amid talk of the event being axed, concerns that only intensified following the expansion to 14 teams.

Bradford and Leeds will renew their Magic Weekend rivalry next year. (Photo: Vaughn Ridley/SWpix.com)

The loop fixtures have now been removed from the calendar, which will be revealed in full on Thursday, but clubs will still play a third fixture against one of their rivals in 2026.

"Magic is pretty unique," said Jones during a press briefing on Tuesday. "Whilst it is a loop fixture, it's different to the other four loop fixtures that were previously in the schedule.

"There was debate around that and the eight-team play-off format because that would have used the week we've used for Magic. It couldn't be both."

St James' Park is viewed as the spiritual home of Magic Weekend but Newcastle's long association with the event could now be over after losing out to Everton.

The Grand Final is set to move from Old Trafford at the end of 2027 but Everton is unlikely to step in. (Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

"The Newcastle stadium was only available on a certain date; the Everton stadium was available on a different date," added Jones.

"When we looked at it, and off the back of the Ashes as well, we just felt there was a good momentum around Everton and that the July date gave us the best opportunity to put the magic back in Magic.

"We're really pleased we've been able to get it into a standalone window, as opposed to shoehorning it in perhaps in the late April-early May period where it's already busy."

The move to Everton continues a blossoming relationship between rugby league and the Merseyside club.

However, Hill Dickinson Stadium is unlikely to host the Grand Final in its current form.

"Economics will play a key part in that," said Jones.

"Old Trafford has the ability to host 70,000 and Hill Dickinson is 52,000. Those 18,000 seats are quite valuable. That's probably the biggest factor for us.

"But we have to evolve. There's a stadium just out here (Etihad) that will go to 60,000 for the start of the next football season.

"We're contracted to Old Trafford until the end of 2027 so we've got another two Grand Finals in the current contract. As everyone is aware, Manchester United are talking about a new stadium themselves.

"But there are certainly aspirations from Everton's perspective to make the stadium a home of rugby league."