![\"Adrian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4ab4a6c753559951c26e831e823d71d29090f818.png\")
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August 11, 2026 \u2014 7:30pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Melbourne and Auckland are the latest cities to express an interest in hosting the 2028 grand final, sparking the biggest bidding war ever for the game\u2019s showpiece event.<\/p>\n The 2028 decider is up for grabs at a time when a scheduling clash with Pope Leo XIV\u2019s Sydney visit<\/a> may prompt a change of date or venue. NSW Premier Chris Minns has indicated he wants the match to remain in Sydney, but will face stiff opposition from rival Australian states.<\/p>\n Melbourne is the latest to publicly state its intentions, joining Sydney, Perth and Brisbane in jockeying for the hosting rights. There is also the prospect of the match going offshore for the first time after New Zealand expressed an interest in pinching the game.<\/p>\n It raises the possibility of the fixture leaving the harbour city for just the second time after the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions resulted in it being shifted to Brisbane\u2019s Suncorp Stadium in 2021.<\/p>\n Melbourne set the record for the biggest State of Origin attendance when 91,671 fans packed the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the second game of this year\u2019s series.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the world\u2019s biggest sporting events look for a home \u2013 they choose Melbourne,\u201d said Victorian Minister for Major Events Anthony Carbines.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s because everyone knows that Melbourne is the events capital of Australia \u2013 not Sydney or Brisbane.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll continue conversations about a wide range of events that pump millions into our economy and create more jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n New Zealand will host its first State of Origin match next year at Auckland\u2019s Eden Park, and the city is hopeful that could be a springboard to hosting the grand final the following year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be fantastic if the NRL grand final was in Auckland in 2028 and we are all looking forward to next year\u2019s State of Origin game at Eden Park, which is sure to be a huge success,\u201d said Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Warriors\u2019 continued success has generated enormous excitement, and Auckland\u2019s appetite for rugby league right now is insatiable.\u201d<\/p>\n Rugby league is booming in New Zealand, courtesy of the remarkable rise of the Warriors. Coach Andrew Webster\u2019s side has emerged as a genuine contender after upsetting premiership favourites Penrith on the weekend.<\/p>\n The NRL is likely to introduce a 20th team into the competition in 2029, with a New Zealand-based team the most likely option.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cAuckland has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to deliver world-class events, supported by outstanding venues, a new city rail link, and a fan base that embraces major sporting occasions,\u201d said Annie Dundas from T\u0101taki Auckland Unlimited, the events arm of Auckland Council.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile the NRL\u2019s plans for future grand finals are ultimately a matter for the NRL, Auckland would naturally be very interested in exploring opportunities that align with our strategy of attracting major events that deliver economic, tourism and community benefits for the region.<\/p>\n \u201cFor now, our focus is on working with our partners to make State of Origin 2027 a memorable event for fans, teams and visitors from Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n Queensland Premier David Crisafulli on Monday stated Suncorp Stadium\u2019s case<\/a> for hosting the decider, saying: \u201cIt would make complete sense for the NRL to choose Queensland and we will continue to put that case forward.\u201d<\/p>\n The grand final bidding war kicked off in earnest when WA Premier Roger Cook revealed to this masthead<\/a> that his state would \u201cbid hard\u201d for the rights. Sources not authorised to speak publicly due to commercial sensitivities said the Western Australian government was prepared to pay $20 million to host the grand final, which is almost twice as much as that offered by NSW.<\/p>\n Australian Rugby League chairman Peter V\u2019landys said on the weekend he felt a sense of loyalty to the Minns government, \u201cbut as a business, we have to look at every option.\u201d<\/p>\n News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Five](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ef4ce7eb7f1cf06abce9f39be2545a19dcb11244.jpeg\")
Five cities are in the mix to host the 2028 NRL grand final: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland.Matt Willis<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781985556_483_e4ecf93959d0e92ceb8c88fdb11625f55d607a2360d75a9ac78a490b44e8029c.jpeg\")
The view inside the MCG during Origin II this year.Getty<\/p>\n![\"WA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/e62da04eb8f7ebdca2b7ec3316b61fc8bf0ae540.jpeg\")
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