Published: 21 April 2021
WA will welcome back one of the State’s biggest sporting success stories next year, with the return of State of Origin to Optus Stadium in June 2022.
The New South Wales Blues and The Queensland Maroons will play game two of the three-game series in Perth, thanks to a partnership between Tourism WA and the National Rugby League (NRL).
Tourism WA was responsible for securing Origin’s inaugural WA outing in Perth in 2019, when the Blues claimed victory in front of a capacity crowd.
Close to 11,700 people visited WA for that game, spending more than $19 million and staying nearly 69,500 nights.
WA’s key tourism attractions were also showcased in a broadcast of the match watched by an average of 1.96 million people around the nation.
Tourism WA Acting Managing Director, Derryn Belford, said the return of Origin to WA was welcome news for both the tourism industry and rugby league fans.
“We’re thrilled to be able to claim another Origin outing for WA. Events like this are really important because they are a real drawcard for people to travel here and support our State’s tourism businesses through their holiday spending," she said.
“Securing another Origin follows a list of recent event wins by Tourism WA including this year’s two professional surfing events to be held at Margaret River and Rottnest, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup games for 2023, that will help rebuild tourism in the State.”