State of Origin venues confirmed

The full schedule for the 2020 State of Origin series have been finalised, including the dates and venues, with Adelaide hosting Game I for the first time in history.

Due to the Covid-19 suspension, the series will take place over a 15-day period following the conclusion of the NRL season.

Game I will take place at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday 4 November, Game II at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Wednesday 11 November, and Game III at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday 18 November.

The Women’s State of Origin will also take place in between Games II and III, on Friday 13 November as a stand alone fixture at Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland.

NRL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Abdo said: “State of Origin is the greatest rivalry in Australian sport and Australia’s most watched television event. It transcends the two states and captivates the interests of the entire nation. We are excited to play this historic game in South Australia for the very first time.

“In recent years Origin has captivated Melbourne and Perth and we cannot wait to see how the people of Adelaide respond. The interest from states, outside NSW and Queensland, to host our showpiece event is extraordinary.”

“This year will be special, it marks the 40^th Anniversary of Origin. The concept has come so far since Arthur Beetson famously led Queensland onto Lang Park in 1980 with his hands covered in chalk.

“This year, for the first time, it will be played as its own stand-alone series throughout November. Fans have long suggested the series should be played in a separate window to the Telstra Premiership and now we have the opportunity to trial the concept.”

“To be able to play our third ever women’s Origin match on the Sunshine Coast as originally hoped is incredibly important to us.

“The women’s game is such an important part of our game and despite the pandemic we will play both NRLW and Women’s Origin this season. In a year full of challenges, we will make history again with the first women’s Origin match in Queensland.”

Here is the full State of Origin schedule:

Game I – Wednesday 4 November 2020, Adelaide Oval

Game II – Wednesday 11 November 2020, ANZ Stadium

Game III – Wednesday 18 November 2020, Suncorp Stadium

Women’s State of Origin – Friday 13 November 2020, Sunshine Coast Stadium