Afl Confirms State Of Origin Football To Return In 2026 After 27-year Hiatus

The AFL’s marquee State of Origin fixture will return adjacent twelvemonth to extremity a 27-year hiatus, pinch Western Australia to big Victoria successful Perth connected Valentine’s Day. After a clamour from fans and players for nan state-based rivalry’s return, nan 2026 crippled will beryllium played astatine Optus Stadium.

The past clip an Origin crippled was contested betwixt authorities teams was successful 1999, erstwhile Victoria hit South Australia by 54 points astatine nan MCG, but South Australia was overlooked this clip aft beardown lobbying from nan Western Australian government.

It follows a successful Indigenous All-Stars conflict astatine Optus Stadium earlier this year, erstwhile 37,865 fans turned retired to watch nan typical broadside hit nan Fremantle Dockers.

“State shot is 1 of nan awesome traditions of our game, pinch fans and players alike calling for its return for immoderate clip and we are thrilled to spot it back,” AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said successful a statement.

“Origin inspires passion, authorities pridefulness and draws upon years aged rivalries that are cardinal to nan history of our crippled and our very top players. It will beryllium a typical infinitesimal to spot a Big V and a Sandgroper jumper backmost connected nan section earlier we commencement our 2026 AFL premiership season.”

Tony Lockett and Jason Dunstall of Victoria successful 1989. Photograph: Getty Images

The very first State of Origin lucifer was played successful Perth successful 1977 and nan past clip Western Australia lined up against Victoria was successful 1992 erstwhile “the Big V” were victorious, defeating nan visitors by 67 points.

In 2020, nan AFL held what was billed arsenic a State of Origin conflict for bushfire relief, though it featured an All-Stars broadside against Victoria.

The 2026 AFL Origin crippled will beryllium broadcast connected Channel 7 and Fox, arsenic good arsenic 7Plus and Kayo streaming platforms.