Perth to host Australia’s biggest sporting event

Australia’s biggest sporting event – the Rugby League State of Origin series – is coming to Perth Stadium in 2019.

Rugby League State of Origin game two at Perth Stadium in 2019
Most watched Australian TV event in 2015
Proudly supported by the State Government through Tourism Western Australia

Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett announced today that the State Government, through Tourism WA, had won the rights to host the second game of the series at the new stadium.

“Holding a State of Origin match at our magnificent stadium is a huge coup for Western Australia,” Mr Barnett said.

“Arguably Australia’s biggest sporting rivalry is the Rugby League State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons.

“We are expecting thousands of fans to make the trip west to be at the game and millions more will watch the live television broadcast which gives us the opportunity to show off our transforming city and world-class new stadium to the rest of Australia.”

The Premier said State of Origin matches were the most watched sporting events on Australian television, drawing an audience of 3.96 million viewers last year, out-rating popular events such as the AFL Grand Final (3.54 million viewers) and the Melbourne Cup (3.07 million viewers).

“The 2019 match will be only the tenth time in State of Origin history that part of the series has been played outside New South Wales or Queensland,” Mr Barnett said.

“Having Perth Stadium means WA can now host some of the biggest sporting events in the world, which will have an incredible flow-on effect for the State’s economy.

“For rectangular events such as this, high quality seats close to the action will be added as part of the customisation of the venue and this will increase the capacity from 60,000 to 65,000 seats,” Mr Barnett said.

“In a break from tradition, the Perth match will be played on a weekend instead of a Wednesday evening. This will give fans travelling from interstate the chance to spend the weekend in Perth, which will be a massive boost for the economy.”

When the second State of Origin game was held in Melbourne last year, more than 39,000 travelled from out of state to watch it.

If 20,000 visitors travelled to Perth to watch the 2019 game it would be worth $15 million to the WA economy.

The Premier said events at the new Perth Stadium formed a crucial part of the State Government’s strategy to grow WA’s tourism industry.

The Premier acknowledged Venueswest and VenuesLive – the recently named operator of Perth Stadium – as important partners in the deal with State of Origin.

“In the year ending March 2016, visitors to WA spent $9.3 billion during their stay in the State and we want to see that figure grow to $12 billion by 2020,” Mr Barnett said.

“Events will help us reach that goal which is why in the recent State Budget, we committed $30 million towards bringing business, sporting and entertainment events to Western Australia, including a $19 million investment to activate Perth Stadium.”