Adelaide Oval to host first ever State of Origin clash

The NRL has finalised the venues for its delayed 2020 State of Origin series, with Adelaide Oval to host game one - its first ever match in the rugby league state series - on Wednesday 4th November.

Sydney's ANZ Stadium and Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium will hosts games two and three in the men’s series while the Women's State of Origin match will be played on the Sunshine Coast for the first time on 13th November.

Details about the bubble conditions for State of Origin are yet to be finalised between the RLPA, NRL and state leagues

Delayed from June to November because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Australian Government has financially backed the bid to attract the fixture.

It had previously sought to attract this year’s AFL Grand Final.

Events South Australia Executive Director Hitaf Rasheed said she hoped Adelaide's event would draw visitors from other states, advising “we're still hoping that thousands of people will travel to South Australia for the game and it's great news that the ACT border is open today.

"Queensland, of course, is open and we're hopeful that NSW will open shortly … so we're still hoping for thousands of people to travel."

Crowd capacities for each venue will be finalised before the end of the month along with details of the ‘bubble’ that players and officials will be operating in.

Rasheed said she was excited at the prospect of the Adelaide game going ahead in front of a large crowd, adding "the NRL have had approval for 50% capacity (at the games) … that's 26,750 people (in Adelaide) , so we are looking forward to welcoming those people into the stadium.”

Details about the Origin's Coronavirus bubble conditions and duration are yet to be finalised but the Rugby League Players Association, NRL and state leagues need to reach a conclusion by next week.