The first Millennium Magic ended in Millennium Mayhem 12 months ago. The final minute of six engage Super League games in two days overshadowed the 479 minutes of action that had preceded it with the most controversial finish imaginable, but which curiously came to define the innovative two-day Cardiff marathon that kicks off its second year today.

Unpredictability, in whatever form, is the key to the success of a pioneering “on the road” trip for all 12 clubs, although Bradford Bulls would probably still beg to differ. Clinging to a 38-36 lead in the last few seconds of match No6, they were victims first of a incorrectly awarded penalty, which Kevin Sinfield, the Leeds Rhinos captain, missed, then a try awarded to Leeds in error.

Jordan Tansey was more than a yard offside as he followed up Sinfield's place-kick, which rebounded off the crossbar back into play. Steve Ganson, the referee, curiously failed to call for a video verdict, so Leeds's winning try stood and there was no time left for Bradford to do anything other than seethe and subsequently accept the official apologies.

An unfortunate series of events had cost the Bulls, for whom revenge is an inevitable motivator against Leeds in the third match tonight, although it was cruel circumstance that set the first Millennium Stadium jamboree in a meaningful and unforgettable context. A hair-brained idea had become an inspired one overnight, with up to 70,000 spectators expected today and tomorrow to consolidate the event almost, if not quite, as a showpiece to rival the Challenge Cup final at Wembley in August and Grand Final at Old Trafford in October.

The roof will be shut, lights dimmed and sound system cranked up to help with the atmosphere and hide some of the empty spaces. Nevertheless, Cardiff is established as a place of rugby league pilgrimage after last year's event and three successful cup finals, and, with financial incentives from the Welsh Tourist Board also on offer for seven matches across potentially three days of the 2009 May Day Bank Holiday after Super League's expansion to 14 clubs next season, Millennium Magic looks a bankable asset.

Instead of Celtic Crusaders hosting the effective curtain-raiser, as they did against Featherstone Rovers in Cooperative National League One last night, the Bridgend club could even be part of the main event next year. Too early in their development or not, there are signs emerging that they could emerge successful in the three-year Super League licence announcement in July, along with Salford City Reds and Widnes Vikings. If so, one of the existing clubs will be booted out.

The Bradford v Leeds derby will conclude the first day's proceedings, with Steve McNamara, the Bulls coach, who was apoplectic after last year's chaos, insistent that it had no bearing on tonight's match. “We were part of some drama that will be talked about for many years and will go down in the annals of the game but, as far as we are concerned, that's gone. I'd be just as excited about the game if we were playing it on Odsal Rec,” he said.

Bottom-placed Castleford Tigers make their Millennium Stadium debut in the second match against local rivals, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, who have won all seven of the teams' Super League meetings and are seeking a fourth consecutive league win to push up into the play-offs places. Proceedings are opened by two out-of-form teams, Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants, who are next to bottom after winning one of their past eight games.

Leeds and Wigan Warriors have expressed their disappointment after being told by the Rugby League International Federation that they must release Brent Webb and Thomas Leuluai to play for New Zealand in Friday's centenary international against Australia in Sydney, which clashes with the Challenge Cup fifth round.

This weekend's action

Today

3pm: Huddersfield v Warrington

Both in a slump, the Giants especially, with one win in their past eight and three points above Castleford. The Wolves were top notch for 70 minutes against St Helens and have the capability to arrest a three-match losing run.

5pm: Wakefield v Castleford

Wakefield are supremely confident after coming from 20-6 behind to beat Harlequins last week and are knocking on the door of the top six after three successive league wins, but they are without the suspended Ricky Bibey up front.

7pm: Leeds v Bradford

A classic at Millennium Magic last year contained a cruel twist in the tail for Bradford. The Bulls were thrashed 44-2 at Headingley Carnegie in March. A much closer game in prospect this time against Leeds, who lead the table by five points but are without the injured back-row trio of Gareth Ellis, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Ali Lauitiiti.

Tomorrow

2.30pm: Catalans v Harlequins

The Dragons are on an eight-match unbeaten league and cup run. Can the unpredictable Quins stop them? Possibly not if Catalans, who are second, get their big forwards rumbling and the prolific Thomas Bosc can inspire them again at half back.

4.30pm: Hull v Hull KR

Rovers were winners of the 200th Hull derby at the same stage last year. A last-gasp drop goal by James Webster, who has been released because of injury, was the difference at Easter, but there are signs that the black-and-whites are starting to motor.

6.30pm: St Helens v Wigan

Saints continue to hold the whip hand in the derby fixture and were exceptional in Cardiff last year - they usually are against Wigan, although the two great rivals are six points behind Leeds.