Sunshine Coast Stadium confirmed for Women’s State of Origin

Sunshine Coast Council

The 2020 Women’s State of Origin will kick-off in Queensland for the first time after the National Rugby League (NRL) finalised venues for the Men’s and Women’s series.

Adelaide Oval will host the opening State of Origin match on Wednesday, 4 November. Sydeny’s ANZ Stadium will host Game II on Wednesday, 11 November and Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will host a potential decider on Wednesday, 18 November.

The Harvey Norman Women’s State of Origin will be held on Friday, 13 November at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said hosting the NRL Women’s State of Origin event at the Sunshine Coast Stadium further reinforced our region’s reputation as a leading regional location for national competition sport events.

“The Sunshine Coast is the perfect location for this event and we have demonstrated that we can host events of this nature safely and in compliance with COVID-19 requirements,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“The NRL Women’s State of Origin has seen rapid growth since its launch in 2018, and we are proud to host the Queensland Maroons and showcase elite women’s sport on our Sunshine Coast.

“It is only fitting that the Women’s State of Origin – the NRL’s leading women’s sport event – is played for the first time in Queensland on the Sunshine Coast, given our region is also home to Australia’s most successful start-up, national sporting team in the Sunshine Coast Lightning.

“We can’t wait to welcome footy fans to the Sunshine Coast in November 2020, and encourage them to plan ahead to secure accommodation,” Mayor Jamieson said.

NRL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Abdo said the game, led by the Commission, and its government partners had worked tirelessly with health officials to ensure Origin is showcased across three different states this year.

“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,” he said.

Mr Abdo said the stand-alone women’s Origin in Queensland would be another highlight of the season. He said the Commission has made it a priority to ensure all elite women’s domestic matches proceeded as scheduled this year.

“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.”

Mr Abdo said crowd capacities at each venue would be determined before the end of the month. The NRL will work closely with each venue to implement their COVID Safe Plans to ensure a safe environment for all crowds.

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the matches would be well received by locals and intrastate visitors.

“Major events will be crucial to the government’s strategy to rebuild Queensland’s economy and support local jobs,” Ms Jones said.

“Sport is also an important part of Queenslanders’ lives. We’re able to host the State of Origin in our state because Queenslanders have done such a great job in the fight against COVID-19.

“Suncorp Stadium is the best rectangular stadium in Australia and the atmosphere for State of Origin games there is legendary.

“The Sunshine Coast has also proven itself as a fantastic host of recent NRL games and they will put on a great show for the Women’s State of Origin.

Supporters who had previously purchased general tickets, NRL Hospitality or NRL Travel packages will be contacted directly by either the NRL, Ticketek or NRL Official Agents regarding their purchase and options available to them.

A two-week refund window has been created for fans who have purchased tickets but will not be able to attend the games. To submit a refund request, please click here.

Tickets will be available for the public to purchase closer to the series once crowd capacities are finalised and the number of refunds determined.

The NRL thanked the South Australian Tourism Commission, Destination NSW, Tourism & Events Queensland and Sunshine Coast Council for their support of the State of Origin series.

The Harvey Norman Women’s State of Origin will be broadcast live on the Nine Network, Fox League, SKY New Zealand and on the NRL Live Pass.

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