2024’s nine-game Magic Round slate is set, including an epic extra game

The NRL’s showcase regular season round returns for its fifth installment in 2024, with more action than ever set for the NRL Magic Round.

Since its inception in 2019, the NRL Magic Round has proven to be a bucket list event to attend for diehard rugby league fans, with 16 teams all playing at the one venue, across a jam-packed three days of footy.

But things are set to get even more entertaining at the 2024 NRL Magic Round; the league’s has announced that the Women’s State of Origin series will start as the curtain-raiser for the ‘festival of football’.

This means for the first time ever, the rugby league spectacle will be extended to nine games, starting on the Thursday through to the Sunday.

However, with the league’s expansion to 17 teams in 2023 with the introduction of the Dolphins, one NRL team will again be forced to sit on the sideline; the Dragons being selected after the Knights sat out 2023.

With the NRL draw released and information surrounding one of the league’s showcase events announced, here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 NRL Magic Round.

When and where is NRL Magic Round in 2024?

May 17-19, Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane)

For the fifth consecutive time, the NRL Magic Round will be held at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium from Friday May 17 to Sunday May 19.

However, the NRL has announced that the Women’s State of Origin will be added to the NRL Magic Round weekend, with kick off for that event on Thursday May 16.

What are the games for the NRL Magic Round in 2024?

There will once again be eight NRL Premiership games with two on the Friday, three on the Saturday and three on the Sunday. The addition of the Women’s State of Origin on the Thursday will bring the NRL Magic Round out to its record amount of matches.

All games are played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

2024 NRL Magic Round fixtures:

Thursday May 16

Queensland Maroons Women’s vs New South Wales Sky Blues – 7:45pm AEST

Friday May 17

Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – 6pm AEST

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs Brisbane Broncos – 8:05pm AEST

Saturday May 18

Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights – 3pm AEST

Cronulla Sutherland Sharks vs Sydney Roosters – 5:30pm AEST

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs North Queensland Cowboys – 7:45pm AEST

Sunday May 19

New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers – 1:50pm AEST

Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels – 4:05pm AEST

Wests Tigers vs Dolphins – 6:25pm AEST

How do you get tickets to Magic Round?

The NRL is yet to release tickets for the 2024 NRL Magic Round as of mid-November.

Once the tickets are released we will have them right here for you to access them easily.

Usually the tickets vary from a full three-day pass to singular day access.

What are the must-see games at the 2024 NRL Magic Round?

The best thing about Magic Round is the fact that you can see almost all the NRL teams in action, all in one place.

As of mid-November, it may be a bit far out to call what the must-see games are going to be because we haven’t seen the 2024 form of each side. But basing it off storyline is always something fans love to see.

There’s two finals rematches scheduled for the 2024 NRL Magic Round with the Sharks facing the Roosters, and the Warriors taking on the reigning premiers Penrith for the first time since the preliminary finals.

Cronulla were crushed by 72nd minute Sam Walker field goal in the first week of the 2023 finals and were sent packing for the second straight year without a win. It would be an understatement to say they will be looking to enact revenge on their rivals.

For the Warriors, a dream season culminating in a top four finish in the regular season meant they had a date with the Panthers also in week one of the finals. Without Shaun Johnson, they fell to the eventual champions by 26-points.