Huddersfield Giants fans heading to Newcastle for this weekend’s Rugby League Magic Weekend are being advised by Highways England to plan their journeys.

The Magic Weekend, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, will see 12 First Utility Super League teams take part in three games on each day. The St James’ Park event also includes live music and a fanzone.

Huddersfield Giants take on St Helens on Sunday.

Last year’s event was attended by more than 67,000 fans, which means some of the surrounding routes including the A1, the A19 and the A184 are likely to be particularly busy.

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The matches are scheduled to start at 2.30pm, 4.45pm and 7pm on Saturday and will start at 1pm, 3.15pm and 5.30pm on Sunday.

Drivers are being reminded of major roadworks, with narrow lanes and reduced speed limits, along the A1 near Newcastle and in North Yorkshire.

Andrew Charnick, emergency planning officer for Highways England, said: “We’re expecting the roads around Newcastle to be particularly busy this weekend so we’re advising drivers to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra time.

“Our regional control centre in the North East will be on standby to monitor traffic, set electronic signs and dispatch patrols of traffic officers to clear up any incidents as quickly as possible to keep rugby fans and other motorway users on the move.”