Everton have amended the licence for Hill Dickinson Stadium in a major hint the club is seeking to host the Rugby League Magic Weekend.
The club has amended the premises licence for Hill Dickinson Stadium to cover multiple games in the same day, allowing it to open the concourse bars between games and after the final game of the day.
It means the Rugby League Magic Weekend, which will host up to seven games across a single weekend in a single stadium, could be held at Everton’s home ground in 2026.
The future of the Magic Weekend was unclear amid rumours it could be dropped in future years but the Rugby League authorities have confirmed it will return for 2026 and fixtures will be announced on 27 November. However, a venue has not been confirmed amid rumours Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium and Newcastle’s St James’ Park are in the running.
The amendment to the Hill Dickinson licence says: “In the event of there being consecutive games on the same day, and with the agreement of the Police and the Certifying Authority such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, and as part of the alcohol management plan, all concourse bars would be able to be open between the games but in respect of each game would close at the end of half time until the end of the game before re-opening, and not re-open after the final game save for the concourse bars in the South Stand and the East Stand specified in Condition 22 which could remain open for one hour after the final game.”
Everton have already successfully hosted Rugby League at the stunning new Hill Dickinson Stadium when it welcomed England and Australia in the second Ashes test of a three-game series in November. The sell-out event was met with huge praise from rugby fans.
The Magic Weekend would likely take place at the end of the Premier League season and after rugby’s Challenge Cup Final in May. A June date would be most likely, which means the pitch would be replaced before Everton started the 2026/27 football season.