Perth to host State of Origin game

Perth, in Western Australia, has been confirmed as a host city for one of the three State of Origin games in 2019.

The game will be held on a weekend instead of midweek, in an attempt to boost the potential crowd.

“Perth is a growing market for us, our participation there over the last 12 months has been phenomenal,” said NRL CEO Todd Greenberg.

The game will be the first Origin clash to be staged outside of New South Wales, Queensland or Victoria.

It is also the first major confirmed single sporting event for the new Perth Stadium, which will open in 2018 for the AFL season.

A sell-out crowd of 65,000 is anticipated for the Origin clash.

Tourism Council of WA CEO Evan Hall believed it would provide an economic boost for Western Australia.

“The State of Origin is the biggest sporting event in Australia. That is going to attract about 20,000 visitors from New South Wales and Queensland into Perth,” he said.

“Importantly the game’s being held on the weekend, so it’s going to give people time to come over and stay in Perth and move around Western Australia.”