LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In 2026, rugby league's marquee event, the State of Origin series, is set to make a significant return to the AFL stronghold of Melbourne. Fans are eagerly anticipating this historic occasion.
The NRL has announced that the series will make its return to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), a notable crossover between rugby league and AFL culture. This event marks the first time an Origin game will take place in Victoria since 2024, when a crowd of 90,000 witnessed the Blues defeat the Maroons with a score of 38-18.
The series will kick off with Game One at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday, May 27, followed by Game Two at the MCG on Wednesday, June 17. The final game may be held at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday, July 8, potentially deciding the champion of this highly competitive series.
This return to Melbourne is part of the NRL's tradition of hosting Origin at neutral venues periodically, following the series in Perth in 2025 and Adelaide in 2023.
Additionally, the women's State of Origin series is set to achieve a new milestone, with Game Three scheduled for Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, marking its inaugural event at that location.