Final negotiations are reportedly underway for the return of State of Origin to the AFL landscape in 2026.
Seven’s Mitch Cleary reports the AFL and WA government are deep in talks on a match between Victoria and Western Australia played on Saturday February 14 at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
It would be the first true State of Origin game since 1999, when Victoria downed South Australia by 54 points at the MCG in front of just 26,063 fans, and WA’s first Origin game since 1998.
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The cashed-up WA government is known to be interested in holding major events in the west, with major concerts, UFC and WWE events among those lured across the country.
WA deputy premier Rita Saffioti confirmed earlier this year talks were being held.
“I know many of the players are actually excited, particularly those based over east, are very keen to play for their state, so I think there’s a huge push from the players,” she said.
State teams have infrequently reappeared for exhibition matches this century, including the Hall of Fame Tribute Match in 2008 between Victoria and the Dream Team.
Victoria also faced an All Stars side in the 2020 Bushfire Relief Match.
But a game between the two proud footy states has not been played since 1992, when Victoria thrashed WA by 67 points at the MCG.
Cleary’s report stated the AFL and WA government just needed to negotiate the split of the cost and gate takings from the game.
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