RUGBY league's Summer Bash will NOT be coming to York in 2019, The Press understands.
The Minster city has reportedly been one of five contenders to host the Betfred Championship extravaganza, but it appears most unlikely to get the nod next year.
The event - the Championship's equivalent of Super League's Magic Weekend, where a full round of fixtures takes place in one venue over two days - has been held at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road since being brought into the calendar in 2015.
That venue remains a candidate for 2019 along with Bradford Bulls' Odsal home, Newcastle Thunder's Kingston Park, and Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium.
The York venue under consideration was the new Community Stadium but, assuming the Summer Bash retains its May date, that ground, scheduled to open in mid-summer, will not be ready in time. It may be back on the agenda as a potential destination in 2020.
The date and venue for the Summer Bash will be revealed on Sunday when the full fixture list for the 2019 Championship is announced.
York City Knights, promoted as League One champions this year along with play-off winners Bradford, will be taking their place in the second tier for the first time since 2013, going up against full-timers Toronto Wolfpack, Bradford, relegated Widnes and Toulouse Olympique, among others.
The Championship expands to a 14-team competition next year, with the Middle 8s system of promotion/relegation between Super League being scrapped in favour of one up one down, the promotion place being decided by five-team play-offs.
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