Millennium Magic to kick off 2011 season

The Engage Super League XVI season looks set to open with a real bang in Cardiff with the 2011 Millennium Magic weekend (February 12th & 13th) featuring a repeat of last season's Grand Final.

The 2010 Engage Super League champions, Wigan Warriors, take on St Helens under the Millennium Stadium roof on Saturday evening (7pm). Local rivalries will also come to the fore with Hull FC versus Hull Kingston Rovers, Castleford Tigers against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Leeds Rhinos locking horns against Bradford Bulls also forming part of a mouthwatering schedule of games.

There is also a repeat of the 2009 Carnegie Challenge Cup final as Huddersfield Giants take on Warrington Wolves. Catalans Dragons versus Harlequins RL and Salford City Reds against Crusaders complete the weekend programme of match ups with four games scheduled for the Saturday and three on Sunday.

The Magic weekend fixtures are as follows:

Saturday 12th February
1pm Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves
3pm Catalans Dragons v Harlequins RL
5pm Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
7pm Wigan Warriors v St Helens

Sunday 13th February
12noon Salford City Reds v Crusaders
2pm Leeds Rhinos v Bradford Bulls
4pm Hull FC v Hull KR

RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood commented: "This opening round of fixtures represents an outstanding way of kicking off the 2011 season in style. The overwhelming majority of fans told us that they wanted to see local rivalry matches and I'm sure thousands of loyal Rugby League supporters will be excited by the prospect of watching seven superb encounters in Cardiff at the start of next season.

"All of the clubs will have the chance to lay down a marker for the season ahead, particularly St Helens who will be desperate to put one over Wigan after their defeat to the Warriors at Old Trafford in October, but there will also be a lot of local pride at stake with a number of the other clashes."

With the Millennium Magic Weekend returning to Cardiff for the first time since 2008, Millennium Stadium Manager Gerry Toms is looking forward to welcoming Rugby League back to the national stadium.

"We are delighted that Rugby League is returning to the Millennium Stadium for what we are certain will be a fantastic weekend of top class action," said Toms.

"Supporters who come to the Stadium will see some of the world's best Rugby League players and it will certainly prove to be a great showcase for the sport.

"The supporters who follow Engage Super League are also great ambassadors for the game and we look forward to giving them all a great Welsh welcome at the home of rugby union in Wales.

"The Millennium Stadium is ideally suited to this type of extended event with its closing roof and city centre location so I am certain that the fans and the players will all savour a fantastic sporting experience.

"As we demonstrated at the inaugural event in 2007 and again in 2008, the fans always have a great time at the Millennium Stadium and I'd urge all sports fans to get hold of tickets to this unique and exciting weekend at the home of Welsh sport."

Welsh Assembly Government Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, added: "We are delighted to welcome Millennium Magic back to Wales again in 2011 and to support the event through our Major Events Strategy, which aims to develop a sustainable portfolio of world class events which will raise international recognition and reputation of Wales. We look forward to giving all fans a warm Welsh welcome next year and hope they enjoy being back at the Millennium Stadium."

Day Tickets for Millennium Magic cost from £25 (concessions £12.50) with weekend passes starting from £35 (concessions £17.50). Ticket and accommodation details for Millennium Magic are available at http://www.millenniummagic.co.uk/ or by contacting the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113..

The 2011 Millennium Magic weekend will be exclusively live and in high definition on Sky Sports HD.

Tickets

Millennium Magic Weekend tickets are available to purchase via Leeds Rhinos Ticket Sales Office now. This year we have been given daily tickets reserved seating (along the side), and unreserved seating (situated in lower tier along the side and lower and upper tier behind the posts) and also weekend tickets reserved seating (along the side), and unreserved seating (situated in lower tier along the side and lower and upper tier behind the posts). For season ticket holders and bronze members to redeem their 50% off the regular priced match ticket they must quote all their customer numbers or input their customer numbers online. The deadline for season ticket holders and bronze members to get 50% off their tickets is 5pm on Thursday 10th February.
The prices for this match are as follows:-

Day Tickets (Sunday)

Category	Seating Type	Regular Price (Adult/Conc)	Season Ticket Holder Price (Adult/Conc)
1	Reserved Seating (Along the Side)	£35/£17.50	£17.50/£8.75
2	Unreserved Seating	£25/£12.50	£12.50/£6.25

Weekend Tickets

Category	Seating Type	Regular Price (Adult/Conc)	Season Ticket Holder Price (Adult/Conc)
1	Reserved Seating (Along the Side)	£50/£25	£25/£12.50
2	Unreserved Seating	£35/£17.50	£17.50/£8.75

Coach travel - One day - Sunday 13th February

This travel will be the one day coach trip whereby we will depart from Headingley Carnegie Stadium at 6am and return during the early hours of Monday. This trip will cost £35 per person and there are no discounts available. This means you will get chance to see 3 games of Rugby League all in one day!

If you have any queries, please contact Kevin Brock on 0113 2033239 or the Rhinos ticket office on 0871 423 1315 (calls are charged at 10 pence per minute)

How to Get There

From the North West: follow the M6, M5 and then either take the M50/A40/A449/M4 or continue down the M5 to it's junction with the M4

From the North East: Take the M1, then the M42, M5, then the M50/A40/A449/M4 or continue down the M5 to its junction with the M4

Travelling By Car

Please note there will be variable message signs displaying travel information, on all motorways routes into Cardiff. Please take note and follow the advice given. Traffic will be monitored by the Police and messages will be changed giving up-to-date advice during the day. Upon leaving the stadium, again follow the variable message signs, which will direct you to avoid the worst of the traffic.

Westgate Street will be pedestrianised commencing one hour prior to kick-off in the first match each day - from 12.00 noon on Saturday and 11.00 am on Sunday. Westgate Street will remain closed to traffic until approximately 9.40 pm on Saturday and 6.40 pm on Sunday - one hour after the final whistle in the final game each day.

Car Parking

Car parking in Cardiff City Centre is limited. However there will be a limited park & ride scheme in operation on both Saturday & Sunday. But this not a dedicated park and ride scheme for the event.
P & R sites accessed from J33 of the M4 - Follow the signs directing you to the Park and Ride site. Cost £6/car County Hall (GREEN CAR PARK) Cardiff Bay, CF10 4UW
Drop off points will be: County Hall - Callaghan Square north, in lay-by by Ever Sheds
The below car park times may change, but we do not envisage the times to change much from the times shown below. On Saturday the car parks will have a staff presence from 8.45am, will open at 9:00am, with the first bus at 9:30am. The last bus will leave the pick-up point at 10:00pm with the car parks locked at 10:30pm. On Sunday the car parks will have a staff presence from 9:15am, will open at 9.30am, with the first bus at 10:00am. The last bus will leave the pick-up point at 07.00pm with the car parks locked at 7.30pm.
All parties that use the Park and Ride facility will be handed a leaflet which clearly show where they will be dropped off / picket up.
The following roads will be closed for coach parking on both days: Museum Ave from its junction with Gorsedd Gardens to its junction with Corbett Road and College Road from its junction with Museum Ave to its junction with King Edward VII Ave.

NCP Parking ( With Disabled Parking in Cardiff)
Contact number Customer Service NCP 0845 0507080.Westgate Street is just across from the Stadium.
1.Rapports, David Street, Cardiff CF10 2EH (02 disabled bays).
2.Pellet Street, Cardiff CF10 4FF (8 disabled bays).
3.Dumfries Road, Cardiff CF10 3FN (13 disabled bays).
4.Central Station, Cardiff, CF10 (20 disabled bays).
5.Westgate Street, Quay Street, CF10 1DZ (4 disabled bays).
6.Castle Court, Westgate Street, CF10 1DB (1 disabled bay). Not open on Sunday.
7.Grayfries Road, Cardiff, CF10 3 AD (4 disabled bays).
8.Wood Street, Gt. Western Lane, CF10 1EN (4 disabled bays).
The CF10 postcodes are more central NCP parking.
Web page: www.ncp.co.uk. Cannot book spaced in advance.

Coach & Mini Bus Parking

Please be aware that there are no scheduled late trains from Cardiff to the North of England on either day. We would, therefore, encourage supporters to use their clubs' official coach travel for this event. On both match days coaches and mini buses will be directed to park at the Sophia Gardens coach park on Sophia Close, which is situated off Cathedral Road and is only a 5 minute walk to the Stadium. There are spaces available and coach parking will cost £10.00 per Coach companies should book in advance by telephoning 02920873981.
Coaches will be directed to leave the M4 at J32 & use. Either of these 2 options. The option one goes via the city centre so option 2 is the better option.
First directions. (via Cardiff center)
Leave the M4 at J32 and travel into Cardiff on the A48 (Eastern Avenue). At the Gabalfa roundabout take the A470 (North Road) into Cardiff. Then take the A4161 Cowbridge Road East until you reach the A4161 Cathedral Road. Sophia Gardens is 200 meters on the right hand side.
Second directions.
Leave the M4 at J32 and travel into Cardiff on the A48 (Eastern Avenue) which turns into the Western avenue after the Gabalfa roundabout. At the A4119 take the Cardiff road. At the next set of traffic lights turn left down Penhill Road. Penhill road becomes Cathedral road. The turning for coaches would be about 500 meters on the right.
The coach park will be open from 8.00 am on both days.

Millennium Stadium Ground Rules

1. The right of admission is reserved to Millennium Stadium plc (hereinafter called MS plc).
2. Events cannot be guaranteed to take place at any particular time or day, and MS plc reserves the right to change its advertised events without notice and without liability.
3. No money will be refunded nor tickets exchanged if an event has to be abandoned due to circumstances beyond the control of MS plc.
4. Should an event be postponed, tickets for the event will be valid for any date on which the event is rearranged.
5. Unauthorised persons are not allowed to enter upon the field of play. The following are offences under the Football (Offences) Act 1991:
a) The throwing of any object within the Stadium bowl
b) The use of foul or abusive language, obscene chanting, or racial abuse towards any person
c) Unauthorised entry onto the field of play, except in an emergency
6. With the exception of persons holding official accreditation or authorisation in writing from MS plc, the taking of photographs, video photography, or other recordings inside the Stadium is prohibited.
7. No person, unless authorised in writing by MS plc, is permitted to distribute or offer for sale in the Stadium any programme, newspaper, periodical, or any other article. No person is allowed to conduct a charitable collection unless authorised.
8. Unnecessary noise, such as that from the use of radios or other devices, or behaviour likely to cause nuisance of any kind, including foul language, is not permitted in any part of the Stadium.
9. Access or attempting to gain access to non public areas of the Stadium or areas of the Stadium not authorised by the event ticket is prohibited.
10. In accordance with the conditions of the Stadium Premises Licence all drinks served in general public areas of the Stadium will be dispensed in open plastic containers, save for Level 3 and the floor of the Stadium, where an exemption may be granted in respect of certain events.
11. Persons within, or those attempting to enter the Stadium who are, or appear to be, under the influence of drink or drugs may be removed or refused entry to the premises.
12. Fireworks, flares, air horns, smoke canisters, laser pointers, bottles, glasses, cans, large flags or flagsticks, banners, poles, and other articles or containers - including any which could or might be used as a weapon - are not permitted within the Stadium. An exemption may be granted to permit the use of air horns in respect of certain classes of event. In such a case, details will be printed on the event ticket.
13. Other than in exceptional circumstances no person is permitted to bring any food or beverage into the Stadium.
14. Any person who fails to comply with instructions from a steward or other person acting for MS plc may be ejected from the Stadium.
15. Any person who remains in, or obstructs any gangway may be ejected from the Stadium.
16. MS plc reserves the right to refuse admission to, or to eject from the Stadium, any person who refuses to be searched by a police officer steward or a representative of MS plc.
17. MS plc reserves the right to specify the time at which the public will be admitted to the Stadium prior to the start of an event and in respect of certain classes of event, to set an entry curfew time.
18. Any person arriving later than the specified time, including the start time for an event, may be refused admission.
19. Closed circuit television (CCTV) recording operates throughout the Stadium for the purpose of crowd safety management, crime prevention and detection, and the maintenance of public order. Any enquires in respect of CCTV should be addressed to the System Administrator, telephone number, 029 2082 2150.
20. All persons entering the Stadium are admitted only subject to the above rules and regulations. Entry to the Stadium shall be deemed to constitute unqualified acceptance of all the above rules and regulations.
21. MS plc reserves the right for its servants and agents to remove from the Stadium any person who does not comply with the above rules and regulations, or whose presence is, or could reasonably be construed as constituting a source of danger, nuisance, or annoyance to others.
22. All persons entering the Stadium do so at their own risk.