AFL, WA Government Near Final Deal for 2026 State of Origin Return

The AFL State of Origin is set to return after more than two decades, with a highly anticipated match between Western Australia and Victoria scheduled for February 14, 2026, at Optus Stadium in Perth. Final negotiations are underway between the AFL and the Western Australian government regarding the costs and revenue sharing for the event, which is expected to be part of the players' pre-season schedule. There is strong enthusiasm from players, especially those based in the east, to represent their states, reflecting a desire to compete at the highest level beyond the regular season. This will be the first true State of Origin game since 1999 and Western Australia's first since 1998, reviving a longstanding rivalry with Victoria. The WA government's commitment to hosting major events and prior successes with large crowd attendances at Optus Stadium, including NRL State of Origin and Indigenous All Stars matches, underpin the confidence in the event's success. AFL captains and fans have shown significant support for bringing back State of Origin, with the WA versus Victoria matchup seen as the ideal fit for the revival following the continued popularity of other state-based competitions.