NEWCASTLE Thunder will play at St James' Park for the first time when they open up proceedings at the Dacia Magic Weekend.

Betfred Super League has invited the Betfred League 1 side to kick things off at the home of Newcastle United, adding a distinctly local flavour to the showcase event.

Six top-flight fixtures, spread across Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May, will follow Thunder’s curtain raiser against Doncaster, which kicks off at 12.30pm.

Castleford Tigers v Catalans Dragons (3pm), St Helens v Salford Red Devils (5.15pm) and Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC (7.30pm) will make up Saturday’s matches.

That is then followed on Sunday by Huddersfield Giants v Toronto Wolfpack (12.30pm), Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves (2.45pm) and Wakefield Trinity vs Hull Kingston Rovers (5pm).

Newcastle Thunder chairman Mick Hogan said: "Having Dacia Magic Weekend returning to Newcastle is great news in itself for the sport in the north east.

“Major events like this provide a huge boost to the continued community development growth that is happening across the region.

“It is an incredible bonus for Newcastle Thunder to be able to open the weekend by playing at such an amazing venue, and there is a tremendous amount of excitement around the club.

“It is great for us to be able to showcase Newcastle Thunder on such a major national stage when fans of all the Super League clubs will be in the city, and just goes to further heighten the excitement surrounding the 2020 season.”

Rhodri Jones, Chief Commercial Officer of Super League, added: “This is a fitting and exciting way to get things going at Dacia Magic Weekend in 2020.

“Super League knows how passionate sports fans are in the north east, so we’re looking forward to seeing the region get behind the event when we return to St James’ Park this year.

“Ticket sales are already 25 per cent up on 2019 and the inclusion of Newcastle Thunder means there is even more for the fans to get behind.”

St James’ Park is no stranger to hosting major rugby events, with four Magic Weekends having already been held at the stadium.

In rugby union last season the venue staged the European Champions Cup final, European Challenge Cup final and an England international.

It also hosted three Rugby World Cup 2015 matches.

In October next year, the 2021 Rugby League World Cup will kick off at the stadium with three further matches at Thunder’s Kingston Park Stadium home.

Tickets for Dacia Magic Weekend on May 23-24, including Newcastle Thunder v Doncaster, can be bought by visiting Superleague.co.uk or by calling 0844 856 1113.