THE third annual Magic Weekend is fast approaching with the Scottish capital of Edinburgh this time hosting a full round of engage Super League fixtures.

For supporters, Edinburgh offers a whole range of activities to get involved in and below is all the information you need to know before heading north of the border.

Getting to Edinburgh and Murrayfield

Latest Travel Information

For the latest traffic information please visit www.highways.gov.uk For information on any planned engineering works on the rail network, please visit www.nationalrail.co.uk/service-disruptions

Great Bupa Edinburgh Run

Supporters should be aware that on Sunday 3 May the city is hosting the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run and as a result there will be a number of road closures in the morning in the city centre.

For a full list of road closures please visit www.greatrun.org/events/Information.aspx?id=3&ctid=78

Event Parking

There will be NO on-site spectator car or coach parking at the stadium other than accessible parking for disabled spectators. Any requests for accessible parking should be directed to the RFL.

There are a number of parking restrictions, for both private vehicles and coaches, in place around Murrayfield Stadium on both event days.

Street parking is available outside the restricted areas – approximately 1 mile from the stadium.

Park and Ride

Supporters arriving by car should utilise the two Park & Ride facilities, both located to the West of the City, approximately a 15 minute bus ride from the stadium The Park & Ride services commence at approximately 06.00 and conclude at approximately 23.00 both event days Hermiston Park & Ride, situated to the West of the A720 Edinburgh City by-pass on the A71 Calder Road, has 500 car parking spaces and a shuttle bus departs every 10 minutes and drops off on Gorgie Road at Westfield Road.

Ingliston Park & Ride, also situated to the West of the A720 Edinburgh City by-pass on the A8 at Edinburgh Airport, has 1000 parking spaces and a frequent bus service to and from the stadium which drops off on the A8 Corstorphine Road at the Ice Rink.

Single fare cost: £1.20 for adults, 70p concession (children and senior citizens) Visit www.themagicweekend.co.uk for a map of where the shuttle bus drop-off points are

Public Transport

For spectators travelling from Edinburgh City Centre to the stadium there are a couple of public transport options:-.

Lothian buses run regular services – www.lothianbuses.com Local train services run from Edinburgh Waverly to Haymarket train station, proximately a 15 minute walk from the stadium - www.nationalrail.co.uk

Walking to the stadium

Bag Pipers will line the 15 minute walk from Haymarket Stadion to where the turnstiles are located.

Accommodation

Edinburgh city centre boasts more then 6,000 hotel rooms varying from 5 star luxury to B&Bs and budget chains. A wide range of accommodation is still available for the Magic Weekend – for more information please visit www.themagicweekend.co.uk

At the stadium

Turnstiles

Turnstiles open at 12.00pm on the Saturday and 10.30am on the Sunday.

Fanzone

The engage Fanzone will feature some great inflatable games for all ages to enjoy, including the Bungee Run, Speed Cage and Skills Zone. Face painters will paint you in your team colours and you can also learn more about the host city by stepping on board the Visit Scotland bus.

Musical entertainment will be provided by a band from the Edinburgh Samba School and the award winning Pipes and Drums of Edinburgh’s George Watson’s College.

Located on playing fields behind the West Stand of the stadium, the engage Fanzone will open each day at the same time as the turnstiles.

Mascot Games

Back by popular demand, Pop legend Keith Chegwin will once again be hosting this year’s Mascot Games, in association with Jet2.com.

Involving 14 club mascots, as well as engage’s Sid the Savings Pig, the games this year will have a Highland Games theme and will include events such as Hunt the Haggis, Toss the Caber and a Whiskey Chase.

The Mascot Games will take place on the pitch in the main stadium before all the games on both days.

In-stadium Entertainment

In addition to seven superb games and Cheggars hosting the Mascot Games, the stadium will also see live music from The Big Beat who will play a range of music from the 1950’s through to the present day which have been voted for by fans via the Magic Weekend Website.

Supporters can also win some great prizes by taking part in a Catchphrase competition on the stadium big screens featuring engage’s Sid the Savings Pig and also by being selected as the Magic Seat each day.

Other great entertainment will be provided by professional dancers The Scottish Rockettes and Pro Excel’s ‘Move It’ team who are planning their biggest ever single show.

Tag Rugby

A number of Rugby League legends including Paul Sculthorpe, Alan Tait and Graham Steadman will be coming out of retirement on the Saturday to play in the engage Magic Weekend Fans’ Tag Tournament. Featuring 16 teams the tournament will kick off at 12.30pm on pitches next to the Fanzone.

On the Sunday, Scotland’s biggest ever Schools Tournament involving 14 Primary Schools will take place in the same place so get there early to see some stars of the future.

All games will be finished by the opening fixture of each day.

Ticket Office

Many season tickets holders still have time to claim their half price Magic Weekend ticket however, deadlines are fast approaching and you should phone your club in advance to check you can still buy.

The RFL will continue to sell tickets until Friday 1 May at 5pm and all tickets purchased from them in the week leading up to the event will be available for collection from the Murrayfield Ticket Office. This is situated behind the East Stand each day and will be open 9am – 7pm on both days.

Supporters can buy tickets on each of the days from the ticket office.

Pass Out

Spectators who wish to leave the stadium with the intention of returning later in the day, must ensure that they have their hand stamped by a stadium steward, at one of the designated exit/re-entry gates. Spectators must also retain their match ticket.

Programmes

Priced £5 and featuring 76 glossy pages of information on each club and the event as a whole, the official Magic Weekend programme will be available to purchase from various places around the stadium.

To pre-order your magazine in advance, please visit www.themagazineshop.com/Group-Rugby_League.aspx

Hear the ref

‘In Stadia Radios’ giving supporters the option to listen to the referee or Sky TV commentary team during each game will be available to purchase each day at the stadium for £5.

The fixtures

Saturday 2nd May

Salford City reds v Harlequins RL, KO 3.00pm

Wakefield Wildcats v Bradford Bulls, KO 5.00pm

Wigan Warriors v St Helens, KO 7.00pm

Sunday 3 May

Huddersfield Giants v Celtic Crusaders, KO 12.30pm

Hull FC v Castleford Tigers, KO 2.45pm

Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos, KO 5.00pm

Warrington Wolves v Hull KR, KO 7.00pm