YORK City Knights boss James Ford has suggested a new venue for the Summer Bash - the Minster city itself.

The event, introduced in 2015, is the Betfred Championship's equivalent of Super League's Magic Weekend, with all 14 second division clubs in action on one ground over one weekend.

It has been held each year at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road but Ford, while a fan of the concept, reckons organisers might be missing a trick by not staging it elsewhere.

"It's an innovative concept," he reasoned. "They're trying to give non-Super League clubs a showpiece event to help promote the clubs and the game, and I'm all for that.

"With Bradford being there, with York and Featherstone, Widnes, Leigh and Halifax, there will be a healthy crowd.

"My only feedback is would there be other stages for the event? What about (Kingston Park in) Newcastle? There are fantastic facilities there and it's a great city and would be good for the supporters.

"And what about York? I know some people would complain about home advantage - I probably would - but it's a great city, opposition fans love coming here and with the new stadium we'll have the facilities.

"I'm not saying Blackpool isn't good, just are there other venues."

The Knights, having previously been in League Once, make their Summer Bash debut this evening, taking on Featherstone in the third of today's four matches, kicking off at 5.45pm.

This year's extravaganza also includes two Yorkshire v Lancashire 'Origin' clashes, with an academy Roses match opening proceedings today and a women's origin starting off day two at 10.45am - featuring Daisy Sanderson and Ashleigh Hyde from the Knights Ladies team.