Optus Stadium in Perth, WA
Featured image credit: Tama Leaver/CC BY 2.0/Edited for size
Perth’s Optus Stadium is to play host to the NRL’s State of Origin Series for both the 2025 and 2028 series.
The National Rugby League (NRL), in conjunction with the Western Australian Government, made the announcement after the venue was packed out for a rugby league double-header over the weekend featuring the Dolphins, Newcastle Knights, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks.
A crowd of 59,721 packed into the first Origin clash between Queensland and New South Wales in Perth in 2019, while 59,358 people attended the second interstate clash in the west in 2022.
The move to lock in Perth for 2025 and 2028 is in line with the NRL’s policy of one neutral venue and one home venue for each of the States in the three-match series. The showpiece event was played in Adelaide, South Australia in 2023 and will be played in Melbourne, Victoria in 2024 and 2026.
“State of Origin in Perth has been an outstanding success and we’re delighted to be able to continue this partnership with the Western Australian Government,” said Kate Jones, Australian Rugby League’s (ARL) commissioner.
“There is already strong support for Rugby League in Western Australia and our ongoing commitment to grow the game in areas outside of Rugby League heartlands will ensure even more people are attracted to the game by the biggest sporting rivalry in the country.”
Rita Saffioti, deputy premier and tourism minister, said: “Being able to host two more State of Origin clashes is another great win for tourism and sport within WA, plus an awesome opportunity to showcase our state across Australia.
“State of Origin is one of the country’s greatest sporting rivalries and bringing it back to WA is a huge treat for local NRL fans and those who want to experience the electric atmosphere.”
The 2025 and 2028 State of Origin Series are supported by the Western Australia Government through their tourism agency Tourism WA.
Optus Stadium, which opened in 2018, is the home of the AFL’s West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers and hosted the 2021 AFL Grand Final. It has also played host to Australia’s national rugby and cricket teams, and is the home of the Western Australia and Perth Scorchers cricket teams.
Optus Stadium was named Venue of the Year 2022 at the annual TheStadiumBusiness Awards.
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