The State of Origin Series will return to Optus Stadium for both the 2025 and 2028 series.
The NRL, in conjunction with the Western Australian Government, announced today Optus Stadium would host two more matches in the interstate series.
It follows a successful double-header at Optus Stadium yesterday.
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 will be played in Melbourne in 2024 and 2026.
A crowd of 59,721 packed into the first Origin clash in Perth in 2019, while 59,358 people attended the second interstate clash in the west in 2022.
Australian Rugby League Commissioner the Hon Kate Jones said the Commission wanted to continue to provide a strong footing for the sport in Western Australia.
“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,” Ms Jones said.
“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.
“We are privileged to bring State of Origin back to Perth and I’d like to thank Premier Roger Cook, Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti and the Western Australian Government for their ongoing support of Rugby League.”
Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti 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 WA Government continues to bring major sporting and tourism events to our shores with the award-winning Optus Stadium once again taking centre stage.”
Westpac NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler said: “It is a great endorsement for Rugby League to secure the support of the WA Government to host the game’s showpiece in Perth in 2025 and 2028 and a strong indication of the appetite for the game in the west.
“And while it is a neutral venue, the Blues, with the strong support of The Star Blatchys fans, are thrilled at the prospect of returning to Perth where we have great memories of this ground, experiencing success at the debut Perth game in 2019 and again in 2022.”
The 2025 and 2028 State of Origin Series are supported by the Western Australia Government through their tourism agency Tourism WA.
