The NRL has today announced all three days of Magic Round have sold out, while the opening Ampol Women's State of Origin clash will set a new series record as Brisbane prepares to host a four-day festival of rugby league from Thursday, May 16.
Now in its fifth year, Magic Round has sold out in record time, and will once again welcome more than 140,000 fans through the gates from Friday through to Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.
Meanwhile, the historic three-game Ampol Women's State of Origin series opener is set to shatter the attendance record set last year (18,275 for Game One in Townsville) when the Maroons host the Sky Blues on Thursday night.
"The stage is set for an incredible four days of Rugby League in Brisbane this week," said NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo.
"The fifth edition of Magic Round will be the most attended and most watched version of the event yet.
History will be made when we kick off the first three-match Women's Origin series, which will make it one of the biggest events on the Australian sporting calendar.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo
"Fans have once shown again that they will travel from far and wide to be involved in Magic Round with more than 40 percent of ticket holders travelling from outside of Brisbane."
Tourism and Sport Minister Michael Healy said: "Magic Round really is pure magic and the numbers here speak for themselves - everyone wants to be part of it.
"We cannot wait to welcome fans to our spectacular city for this sold-out blockbuster weekend of footy and with so many who have travelled from outside of Brisbane it's also a blockbuster weekend for our visitor economy.
"This year the magic extends over four days with the addition of the Ampol Women's State of Origin show down, which has enjoyed a record number of ticket sales. No matter who the winner of Thursday night's game may be, this is a true win for women's sports."
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the NRL Magic Round Brisbane had grown to become one of the game's unmissable events.
"This weekend marks the biggest series of showdowns on the NRL calendar, offering visitors and residents a captivating spectator experience," Cr Schrinner said.
"This year, the born and bred Brisbane event will transform the city into a four-day feast of footy with the Ampol Women's State of Origin Game a welcome addition to the program.
"It's no surprise the NRL Magic Round is a huge drawcard for Brisbane, bringing fans from across Australia and New Zealand to stay, spend and play over one magic weekend and delivers millions in economic benefit to the city."
Magic Round Brisbane is supported by the Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, together with Brisbane City Council, via Brisbane Economic and Development Agency.
Full event schedule
Thursday, May 16 at Suncorp Stadium
- 7.45pm - Ampol Women's State of Origin, Game 1, QLD v NSW
Friday, May 17 at Suncorp Stadium
- 6.00pm - Raiders v Bulldogs
- 8.05pm - Sea Eagles v Broncos
Saturday, May 18 at Suncorp Stadium
- 3.00pm - Titans v Knights
- 5.30pm - Sharks v Roosters
- 7.45pm - Rabbitohs v Cowboys
Sunday, May 19 at Suncorp Stadium
- 1.50pm - Warriors v Panthers
- 4.05pm - Storm v Eels
- 6.25pm - Wests Tigers v Dolphins
