Derby element scrapped from next year"Millennium Magic" is no more after the Rugby Football League decided to take the roadshow to Edinburgh from next season.
Murrayfield will host a full round of engage Super League fixtures over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend for the next two years after securing an agreement with Super League bosses.
Murrayfield, which proved a popular venue for the Challenge Cup final in 2000 and 2002, will stage seven matches over the two days of May 2 and May 3.
This year's Millennium Magic Weekend in Cardiff drew a combined attendance of 63,144 - some 4,313 up on the inaugural event in 2007 - but RFL officials threatened to take it elsewhere after claiming the Welsh Rugby Union failed to give the project their full backing.
Sally Bolton, the RFL's director of events and projects, said: "A number of cities had expressed an interest in hosting this event but we believe this new location has all the right ingredients to continue its development.
Murrayfield, which proved a popular venue for the Challenge Cup final in 2000 and 2002, will stage seven matches over the two days of May 2 and May 3.
This year's Millennium Magic Weekend in Cardiff drew a combined attendance of 63,144 - some 4,313 up on the inaugural event in 2007 - but RFL officials threatened to take it elsewhere after claiming the Welsh Rugby Union failed to give the project their full backing.
Sally Bolton, the RFL's director of events and projects, said: "A number of cities had expressed an interest in hosting this event but we believe this new location has all the right ingredients to continue its development.
Exciting:
"The concept of the Magic Weekend is all about taking the sport on the road and staging engage Super League in prestigious and exciting cities and Murrayfield presents a fantastic opportunity for us to take the experience to the next level.
"Our plans for a specially-created fan village around the stadium are set to create a carnival atmosphere for the whole family.
"The city itself offers family entertainment and a feast of activity before the games kick off each day and also after the final whistle.
"Our event partners for 2009 are committed to working with us to offer a range of accommodation to create an appropriate portfolio for supporters and teams alike."
"Our plans for a specially-created fan village around the stadium are set to create a carnival atmosphere for the whole family.
"The city itself offers family entertainment and a feast of activity before the games kick off each day and also after the final whistle.
"Our event partners for 2009 are committed to working with us to offer a range of accommodation to create an appropriate portfolio for supporters and teams alike."
Seeded draw:
The format of the fixtures has yet to be determined but the League have decided to scrap the "derby" element in favour of a seeded draw and clubs' season-ticket holders will receive vouchers enabling them to buy day tickets at half price.
Gordon McKie, Scottish Rugby's chief executive, said: "We are thrilled to have secured another major sporting event for Murrayfield and Edinburgh, again underlining Scottish Rugby's commitment to hosting world-class premium events at the stadium.
"The exceptional and flexible facilities available at Murrayfield allow us to add a unique festival atmosphere to major events.
"We are very much looking forward to working in partnership with our key stakeholders to ensure that the Magic Weekend is a tremendous success."
Gordon McKie, Scottish Rugby's chief executive, said: "We are thrilled to have secured another major sporting event for Murrayfield and Edinburgh, again underlining Scottish Rugby's commitment to hosting world-class premium events at the stadium.
"The exceptional and flexible facilities available at Murrayfield allow us to add a unique festival atmosphere to major events.
"We are very much looking forward to working in partnership with our key stakeholders to ensure that the Magic Weekend is a tremendous success."
Source: Sky Sports
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