State of Origin will return to Perth’s Optus Stadium in 2025 and 2028. Image source: David Jones (via Flickr)
The Western Australian Government announced that Perth will be the host of NRL State of Origin games in 2025 and 2028.
As one of Australia’s biggest national sporting events, the WA Government says the events “will deliver thousands of visitors to WA while injecting millions into the local economy.”
The matches will be hosted at Optus Stadium (Perth Stadium), with previous Origin matches at the grounds packing crowds of roughly 60,000, with close to 3 million watching from home.
“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,” said Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti
“State of Origin is one of the country’s greatest sporting rivalries and bringing it back to WA is a big win for local NRL fans and those who want to experience the electric atmosphere.
WA Premier Roger Cook was also quick the emphasis the size of the announcement.
“WA hosted a sell out event last year when we hosted the State of Origin here,” said Cook.
“It’s a great get to secure a pipeline of events with the additional two games.
“These major sporting events are significant economic drivers for our State, bringing people from all over to WA – which means more people in our hotels, pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and other tourism and hospitality businesses.”
The announcement comes after Optus Stadium hosted an NRL Double Header, in which about 45,000 NRL fans came to watch the Dolphins clash with the Knights, followed by the Rabbitohs taking on the Sharks on August 5.
The 2019 and 2022 Perth hosted State of Origin matches pulled in an estimated 20,000 out-of-state visitors to Western Australia.
The specific dates for the future matches and details regarding which games will be hosted in Perth will be announced at a later time.
