After a 26-year absence, AFL Origin is returning to the field in Perth next February with WA to take on Victoria.
The best of WA’s AFL players will meet their Victorian opponents on February 14 at Optus Stadium.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon says is he thrilled by the return of a great tradition.
“State football is one of the great traditions of our game. Fans and players alike (have been) calling for its return for some time and we are thrilled to see it back,” he told afl.com.au.
“Origin inspires passion, State pride and draws upon years old rivalries that are central to the history of our game and our very greatest players,” Dillon says.
“It will be a special moment to see a Big V and a Sandgroper jumper back on the field before we start our 2026 season.”
WA Premier Roger Cook says the fixture is a “proud” achievement for his government.
“We know Western Australians love their footy and will fill Optus Stadium to see this blockbuster match, as will many interstate tourists,” he says.
Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti says the game is a rare chance to watch Western Australia’s best AFL players.
“I enjoyed watching State of Origin (rugby league) in the ’80s and ’90s, and I want a new generation to love the game like I did.”
She says money from the game will be directed back into the grassroots level of the code in terms of more facilities and infrastructure.
Tourism Minister Reece Whitby says the game is a part of the government’s wider economic diversification plans.
“The government is committed to our economic diversification strategy,” he says.
“We’re incredibly proud to secure such an exclusive match and we’re confident it will have a positive impact on the state, drawing thousands of fans from across Australia, boosting our tourism and hospitality businesses, and injecting millions of dollars in visitor spend into our economy.”
He also says the game will boost WA’s credentials to host more, and bigger, events, sporting or otherwise.
“… this also boosts WA’s reputation as a world-class host of sporting events, putting the state in a position to attract bigger and better events every year,” he says.
AFL ORIGIN BACKGROUND
The pre-season match is expected to draw thousands of interstate visitors and will be the only AFL Origin fixture in 2026 and the first interstate showdown since 1999, the government says.
AFL Origin began in 1977 at Subiaco Oval in Perth and attendances peaked at over 91,000 fans at the MCG in 1989.
The last time Western Australia lined up against Victoria was in 1992 when Victoria won 23.19(157) to 13.12 (90), afl.com.au says.
AFL Origin is part of the WA Government’s economic diversification strategy to attract a year-round events calendar to drive out-of-state visits and generate inbound tourism revenue for local business and industry.
The match comes in addition to two home games North Melbourne will play in Perth and Bunbury in 2026.
The AFL Origin game will be broadcast on Channel 7 and Fox (streamed on 7Plus and Kayo).
Find out more at afl.com.au
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