For the first time ever, New Zealand will host a State of Origin game.
Code Sports are reporting that in 2027, Queensland and New South Wales will face off across the ditch at Eden Park in Auckland.
$5 million is the amount the New Zealand government reportedly paid to secure the Origin fixture, which will be Game Two of the three-match series.
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One of the major concerns around an Origin game in New Zealand was the time frame given the two-hour time difference and that it always kicks off at 8pm Australian time.
Code Sports have revealed that the match will kick off in New Zealand at 9:30pm local time and 7:30pm in Australia.
The deal struck with the New Zealand government is the latest innovative attempt from the ARL Commission to grow the game of rugby league outside of Australia.
“Origin in New Zealand would rate the house down,” ARLC boss Peter V’landys said.
“We will keep trying new things to grow our audience and the one thing we have the AFL doesn’t is international appeal.
“We will keep growing. If New Zealand is the growth area, we will attack.”
While a men’s Origin fixture won’t hit New Zealand for another couple of years, there is a chance a women’s Origin game could be played in Christchurch as early as 2026.
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