Great news
Been saying it for ages.
Both NSW and QLD to host 1 game per year and the other game on a 4 year rotation between Melbourne x 2, Perth and Adelaide. Maybe in the future there is an opportunity for that 2nd Melbourne game to be taken elsewhere but that looks a ways off.
I'm sure the company promoting the 2025 World Cup would love to land an Origin on the West Coast.
I'm very skeptical about SOO in non-RL markets.
Don't get me wrong, we absolutely should take events overseas.
However.
Out of club, state, and international, I would argue that SOO has the least significant brand recognition overseas and the most value domestically.
If I was to stage a top class Rugby League game in the USA, in order of brand recognition I would think:
1 - Australia/New Zealand/England
2 - Sydney/Brisbane/Melbourne
a far 3rd - New South Wales v Queensland
And while club and international games are plentiful, SOO games are by definition a scarce 3 game series, so to take 1 away is a big sacrifice in domestic markets for little gain elsewhere.
Now we just have to take the GF from Sydney and we can finally start to become a national comp
Been saying the same thing for a long time, a 2-1 home advantage for no particular reason is ridiculous.
What you say although I'd look at Auckland as well, I seem to recall they were interested a while back. Maybe a 5 year cycle something like this:
Melbourne, Adelaide, Auckland, Melbourne, Perth. Even add a 6th game and auction if off if it becomes a real sought after event, maybe even Internationally if there is any interested parties/cities/stadiums. I'm sure the company promoting the 2025 World Cup would love to land an Origin on the West Coast.
Yeah I considered NZ but I just have no idea if it would work or not. By definition there are no NZ players so who knows?
At least with the likes of Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide the locals see it as the biggest event rugby league can offer so they are likely to go if they have any interest in the sport. Added with a healthy travelling contingent you probably sell out every time.
I feel NZ fans would rather more Kiwi games and/or their own version of state of origin but if they are interested, I suppose it is worth a shot.
find an 80k stadium and then you can chirp, you lot struggle to fill your 55k one.
I have no issue with the game going to Adelaide.......the issue I have is how far away the sidelines are on an oval....
Just hate how the we have to surrender home ground advantage in Origin for it.