Perth to host State of Origin in 2019

A State of Origin match will be played in Perth for the first time in 2019.

The second game of the series will shift to the city’s new stadium, marking a move by the NRL to play only one match in Sydney and Queensland.

Next year’s series will see two games played in Brisbane and one in Sydney, however one match will return to Melbourne in 2018 ahead of the Perth trip in 2019.

“Taking Origin to new venues has huge benefits for the game,” NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said.

“It grows the game in other markets and showcases our premium product to a new audience.

“We saw Melbourne embrace State of Origin in 2015 and we expect Perth to do the same in 2019.”

The match could be played in front of up to 60,000 people, with the new Burswood Stadium scheduled to be opened in 2018.

It will also come after the city hosts its first rugby league Test match later this year, with Australia and New Zealand set to do battle at nib Stadium in October.

West Australian premier Colin Barnett has confirmed his government paid an undisclosed amount to win the rights to the Origin match.

The move marks the first time a State of Origin match has been taken off the east coast of Australia, with the exception of the 1987 exhibition match in Los Angeles.

Despite the news of a match moving away from Brisbane, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk appeared to support the idea.

“Of course, we’re lobbying very hard to make sure that we get a (NRL) grand final here in Queensland,” Palaszczuk said.

“But State of Origin, it’s a great game, and it’s any wonder that other states are vying for those rights and I’m quite sure there’s many Queenslanders in Perth who will enjoy the game.”

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