Footy fever will hit Queensland next month with more than 150,000 passionate rugby league fans expected to fill Brisbane’s colosseum, Suncorp Stadium, over four days. The festival of football sees the Women’s State of Origin teams go head-to-head and 16 NRL clubs battle it for Magic Round 2025 supremacy, injecting an estimated $50 million to the state’s tourism economy.
Queensland is rolling out the multi-coloured Magic Round carpet and encouraging footy fans to turn their team allegiance into an epic extended weekend. Every visiting club has been playfully paired with a Southeast Queensland destination that cheekily matches the vibe of its supporter base. It’s a team-themed travel guide designed to keep fans entertained well beyond the final siren. Whether they’re cheering from the stands or exploring between games, supporters are set for a Queensland adventure that scores big on fun.
A marquee event on the NRL calendar, Magic Round 2025 is bringing the best of the best to Brisbane, with every game in round nine and the first game of Women’s State of Origin to be played at the ’cauldron’. Each club playing across the weekend (expect the Manly Sea Eagles who have a bye) brings with them a squad of diehard fans – 31,000 of which are anticipated to come from interstate.
Unique luxury accommodation inside a giant wine barrel
The most patriotic interstate fanbase based on Magic Round tickets purchased is the Melbourne Storm followed by Bulldogs, Rabbitohs, Eels and Warriors*.
Canberra Raiders
Australia’s capital city is home to Parliament House, the famous Raider’s Viking clap and a proud legion of beanie-wearing locals. And in a month where the minimum temperature can drop to a bone-chilling four degrees, Canberrans may need to acclimatise to Brisbane’s balmy weather – enter theGranite Belt. Just a three-hour drive south-west of Brisbane, close to the Queensland and New South Wales border, this rolling countryside is known for its brisk cooler climate and as Australia’s highest wine region. Spend a night in a giant barrel at Barrel View and for oenophiles searching for something beyond the usual merlot or shiraz, a Strange Bird – which has nothing to do with birds but follows the region’s top producers of alternative wines – is perfect for Raiders fans to warm up before cheering on the ‘Green Machine’.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
It’s been a tough few years for ‘Doggies’ supporters following a two-decade premiership drought, but with a five-year plan well underway, the team in blue are on winning form in 2025 and the bark from Belmore will be heard loud and proud at Magic Round. With its ancestral home in the multicultural community of Canterbury-Bankstown, the Bulldogs Army will no doubt be looking for an injection of drool-worthy cuisines during their Magic Round getaway.
Welcome to the city of Logan – one of Australia’s most culturally diverse communities that continues to grow**. Nestled between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Logan serves up a tantalising menu of world cuisines. Venture south on the Sunday morning before Magic Round to visit Global Food Markets – a farmers market packed with delicacies from Asia, Africa and Europe, that will have Bulldogs fans licking their plates clean. Feeling the need for speed, hit the tarmac at Kingston Park Raceway for some go-karting action.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Sharks’ fans need not feel like a fish out of water in Brisbane – swapping the rolling waves of the ‘Shire’ for the Queensland coastline, which offers up gnarly swells all year long. Pack your boards ‘Sharkies’ fans and head to Burleigh Heads at the southern end of the Gold Coast – a top destination for surfers as a World Surfing Reserve (Cronulla is well known for its strong surf culture and is a National Surfing Reserve). Those who prefer to stay dry, discover the history and culture of the Yugambeh people, one of the oldest living cultures in the world at the Jellurgal Cultural Centre at Burleigh Heads or savour one of Rick Shores famous Moreton Bay bug rolls, where your restaurant table is lapped by the sand and waves.
Melbourne Storm
Melbourne – home to one of the most successful rugby league clubs of the modern era and a passionate population of culture vultures and coffee aficionados, who may never want to leave Brisbane when they discover that it’s home to one of the world’s best cafes at Coffee Anthology, alongside a booming arts and culture scene. Storm supporters looking for an injection of arts and culture, should rumble on down to South Bank alongside the Brisbane River, just a 20-minute walk from Suncorp Stadium. Brisbane’s cultural precinct always brings its A-game with a rotating calendar of national and internationally acclaimed artworks at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art; world-class theatre at Queensland Performing Arts Centre and beautifully curated collections, exhibitions and interactive displays at the Queensland Museum. Finish a day of cultural exploration with a foodie feast at Fish Lane – home to public street art, murals, sculptures, cafes and restaurants.
Newcastle Knights
It’s been more than two decades since Newcastle last won a grand final but Novacastrians love nothing less than to ride the wave and stick by their boys in blue and red. Enjoy the sandy beaches and beautiful bay waters of Moreton Island, the third-largest sand island in the world, and just a 75-minute ferry ride from Brisbane. Tangalooma Island Resort might not bring the same surf as Newcastle’s beaches, but it has an adventurous portfolio of outdoor activities such as ATV tours, sand tobogganing and snorkelling the Tangalooma Wrecks that will keep beach lovers from Newcastle sandy and salty.
Parramatta Eels
Sterling. Price. Kenny. Eels’ fans long for the glory years of the ‘80s. Parramatta has long carried the title of having the largest supporter base of any Sydney NRL team, as well as one of the largest shopping centres in New South Wales. Eels’ fans looking to bag a bargain, slither down the Brisbane River via CityCat to Eat Street at Brisbane’s Northshore, where 180-plus shipping containers have been converted into sumptuous food stalls and an entertainment precinct. Still needing a shopping fix? Travel north along the Pacific Coast Way to the idyllic hinterland town of Eumundi on the Sunshine Coast for the Eumundi Markets, one of the largest artisan markets in Australia.
Penrith Panthers
While the Queensland Police are still investigating the robbery of the 2023 NRL premiership after one Monsieur Cleary single-handedly stole the trophy right out of the Broncos’ grasp, the Mountain Men and their band of zealous supporters have a tough task ahead of them as they step into Broncos’ heartland for Magic Round. With a base at the foot of the Blue Mountains, Panthers fans can pounce on the opportunity to claw their way to the top of the city at Mount Coot-Tha, the highest point in the city for panoramic views across Brisbane and Moreton Bay. For even more sky-high fun, the ‘Riff’ should turn the GPS south to Tamborine Mountain in the Scenic Rim, just an hour’s drive south of Brisbane, and get their steps up with a trek along the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. Make the most of a hinterland adventure and stay overnight at Tamborine Mountain Glades after sampling some of the mountains best tipples at Tamborine Mountain Distillery.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney have won more premierships than any other club – 21 – and for the Rabbitohs, the rugby league ties to community are solid given the sport’s deep history and connection in its spiritual home at Redfern. Today, Redfern has evolved into one of Sydney’s most hip and cool suburbs, so ‘Bunnies supporters’, hop on over to Brisbane’s trendy West End. Foodies could spend a lifetime sampling the restaurants and cafes in this aroma-scented pocket of Brisbane and still not scratch the surface. Check out Pilloni, Sardinian dining at its simple and delectable best, or for something different, Mu’ooz for authentic Eritrean, East African cuisine. Be transported to the Mediterranean at Yamas for some Greek fine dining or visit Ippin for sumptuous seasonal Japanese. Hole-in-the-wall cafes line this area for those in need of a coffee fix on Sunday morning – Morning After, The Gunshop Café and Nordic-inspired Lokal and Co are favourites among locals.
St. George Illawarra Dragons
It may have been 15 years since their last premiership, but the Dragons already have 16 trophies to their name, which is why ‘Red-V’ supporters turn up in droves season after season. The St George region is home to beachside suburb Brighton-Le-Sands nicknamed ‘Little Greece by the Bay’ famed for its Greek restaurants. Saints’ fans, march up the Pacific Coast Way to the Sunshine Coast where the picture-perfect beachside hub of Mooloolaba is a favourite for Queensland families and home to popular Greek restaurant Spero tucked away at ‘The Wharf’ dining precinct. Afterwards, step onboard a 100-year-old ketch for a sunset cultural cruise with Saltwater Eco Tours.
Sydney Roosters
The boys from Bondi are in a rebuilding phase in 2025 but a club with as proud a history as the Roosters is never too far off success. ‘Chooks’ supporters missing their daily fix of a café latte by the water, should soak up the good vibes in the trendy riverside suburbs of Teneriffe, Newstead and New Farm and roll into hip inner-city cafes such as The Woolshed, Barko & Co, Industry Beans, Death before Decaf and Samson & Sophie Café. While the treelined streets of these suburbs may not feel quite the same as walking along the shoreline in front of Bondi Pavillion, this Brisbane pocket is where the cool kids choose to meet. Missing the sand and surf of Bondi? Look no further than the Gold Coast’s iconic Surfers Paradise. For a bird’s-eye view, ride to the highest point above the Gold Coast and stand 77 levels above sea-level on top of the Q1 Building, and conquer the SkyPoint Climb – Australia’s highest external building walk, which takes in jaw-dropping 360-degree views from the ocean to the hinterlands.
Warriors
For a club yet to add a piece of silverware to the trophy cupboard, ‘Wahs’ fans are some of the most jubilant and passionate in the world – if the premiership were awarded based on the decibels generated by fans, the Warriors would be on a Panthers run right now. New Zealand often ranks high on travellers lists for adventure tourism but there’s plenty of adrenaline-pumping experiences for our Kiwi cousins to enjoy while cheering on the ‘Wahs’. Like Auckland Harbour Bridge, scale to the top of Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge to check out the River City from above. Abseil or rock climb Kangaroo Point’s 200-million-year-old cliffs or paddle the river in a kayak with Riverlife Adventure Centre.
West Tigers
While the Tigers may not have had a lot to cheer about the past few years, the lads from Leichardt have some of the most loyal, brave fans in the NRL. The 2025 season may shape up to be a rollercoaster of emotions for Wests fans but a ride along the M1 to the Gold Coast’s iconic theme parks is sure to get the fans in black and orange roaring with excitement. Be transported to another world at Warner Bros. Movie World with the new, wickedly entertaining Wizard of Oz Precinct – where legendary characters, themed rides, and stunning recreations of Emerald City and the Yellow Brick Road await. Meanwhile at Dreamworld, step into the wild jungle of Rivertown, mimicking an old Queensland riverside village where the main attraction – Jungle Crush – a mine-style coaster, features the world’s first inclined triple-switch turntable allowing the ride to switch directions and change paths in multiple ways leading to an unpredictable yet fun experience.
North Queensland Cowboys/ Gold Coast Titans
Cowboys fans, pack your Akubras and explore holiday favourite Noosa on horseback with Equathon Horse Riding Adventures. Riders gently ride their trusty steeds along the glistening shoreline of Teewah Beach on Noosa Northshore, spraying sand behind them and splashing in the shallows. While Titans’ supporters have it good on the Gold Coast, it’s a short jaunt up the M1 to swap the world class beaches of the Gold Coast for the island vibes of North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah where a cold drink, fresh seafood and spectacular views across the bay are on the menu at Straddie Brewing Co.
Brisbane Broncos/ Dolphins
‘Bronxnation’ and ‘Phins diehards know they already live in paradise and carry the honour of showing supporters from the other clubs around their hometown during Magic Round, sharing the best insider tips on how to make the most of a Brisbane weekend. So why not strike up a conversation with a Brisbane local during a stroll down Caxton Street, rival club or not, to ask their recommendations for how to see Brisbane at its best.
To plan your Magic Round Queensland holiday and make the most of the long weekend, visit queensland.com. And don’t forget to extend this Queensland footy getaway and cheer on the Blues and Maroons in the Women’s State of Origin on Thursday, 01 May 2025 – tickets are still available for what will be an epic showcase of Women’s Rugby League.
