The National Rugby League (NRL) today marked 50 days to go until the start of State of Origin 2024, officially launching this year’s series at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
A new chapter in Australian sport’s biggest rivalry begins at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, ahead of a return to the MCG on Wednesday, June 26 and a finale at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, July 17.
Game II brings the series’ first visit to Melbourne since 2018, 30 years on from the first ever Origin clash at the MCG in 1994, when the New South Wales Blues overcame the Queensland Maroons 14-0 in front of a then-record Origin crowd of 87,161 fans.
The current record of 91,513 was also set at the MCG, in Game II of the 2015 series.
The Blues have won four of the five Origin games at the famous venue, including each of the last three, and new head coach Michael Maguire will hope to extend that record as his side looks to stop Billy Slater’s Maroons from securing a third consecutive Origin series win.
NRL’s EGM Elite Football Graham Annesley, who refereed the first Origin game at the MCG in 1994, said, “since we first brought the game here 30 years ago, State of Origin football under the MCG lights has been one of the great occasions in Australian sport".
"After a six-year gap between visits, we’re delighted to be bringing Origin back to fans in Melbourne in what will be a pivotal night in the outcome of the series," Annesely said.
State of Origin is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through its major events and tourism agency, Visit Victoria.
Queenslanders have been encouraged to unite together at the MCG, to sit in the Queensland supporters bay through a Melbourne ticketed membership.
