“Out of this world”: Magic Round set to hit Wagga in incredible coup for bush footy

Tallon Smith

Riverina rugby league fans are celebrating a massive win after confirmation that the NRLW Magic Round will be heading to Wagga Wagga’s Geohex Park on the weekend of August 1-2 next year.

The two day extravaganza of rugby league, first staged at Newcastle this year following on from the success of the men’s event, is expected to draw sellout crowds on both days, and provide a major boost to the already booming women’s game in the region.

Wagga Rugby League President Warren Barclay said that while the city has hosted premiership games in the past, the national-scale event is unprecedented for the often proclaimed City of Good Sports.

“It’s fantastic, we’ve got the Raiders who have been here quite a number of times and we’ve even hosted a number of pre-season matches over the time but to have something this monumental is just out of this world and we’re extremely happy,” he said.

The Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters faced off in this year’s NRLW Grand Final

As the body who manages the upkeep and continued development of rugby league facilities in the city, Barclay said that the hard work of Wagga Rugby League volunteers, alongside council and the state government, was a major factor in securing an event of this magnitude.

“I’ve been well documented by saying it previously that over the last 15 years there’s been a lot of tireless hard work done by volunteers to get the facility to where it is,” he said.

“We have a fantastic working relationship with Wagga City Council, who have been fantastic to help us build what we have out there, if it wasn’t for their support, it would be very difficult.

“Plus on top of that the NSW Government in particular have been a great force to work with to make sure that the ground we have today is capable of holding such a great event.”

As for the expected turnout, Barclay said that he is expecting healthy crowds across both days, with plenty of locals expected to join those coming from metropolitan areas and interstate in the stands.

“I’m hopeful of having a very good crowd,” he said.

“I know when the Canberra girls played Newcastle, I was astounded as to how many girls, particularly the 10 to 14 year olds who were present at the game, and I can see the women’s game is growing significantly and I can see that it’s going to be well supported, given that there’s going to be half a dozen games to be played over the weekend.”

Women’s rugby league is growing in the Riverina following the launch of the Group 9 Women’s Premiership

The major win for local rugby league comes a year after the launch of the Group 9 Women’s Tackle Premiership, which saw seven local clubs compete in the inaugural competition, with two of the sides being from Wagga in Estella Storm and South City.

Speaking after an announcement she described as a welcome surprise, Estella Storm President Shanae Pope said that the event will only add more momentum to the growth of the women’s game in the region.

“I think it’s a really exciting opportunity, women’s and junior girls’ league is really booming in our region, so it’s just something for the younger girls to aspire to,” she said.

“I’ll definitely be attending, I’m a huge NRLW fan myself, and I’m confident, I’d like to hope that the rest of the community would support it and I don’t doubt Group 9 [fans will].”

As for the impact the event will have at a junior level, Pope said that watching the best of the best battle for competition points in the Riverina will be a major source of inspiration for young female players to see what they can achieve in the game of rugby league.

“I definitely [think] that it will help with the growth of the game, especially just seeing and believing when it’s in front of you what’s possible, and especially for all the young girls coming through it’s really exciting.”

Over 46,000 were in attendance for the NRLW Grand Final this year, a new record

Meanwhile, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo also acknowledged the city’s strong rugby league history in the official announcement on the NRL website.

“Wagga Wagga has a deep and historic connection to rugby league, producing several elite players who have represented at state and national levels,” said NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.

“It’s also the largest inland city in New South Wales, a vibrant hub of culture and the arts, not to mention great restaurants, accommodation and wineries, making it an ideal host for the 2026 NRLW Magic Round for players and fans.”

The full schedule for the two-day event is listed below.