State of Origin venue: Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium to host game 3

The NRL has confirmed the venue for State of Origin III. Find out where it will be played and what the crowd capacity will be.

Origin III will be played in front of 20,000 fans in Newcastle (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Newcastle has been confirmed as the venue for State of Origin III, fighting off late plays by Melbourne and Gold Coast.

As revealed by News Corp this morning, McDonald Jones Stadium will host the big game next Wednesday in what will be an historic night for the Hunter where the ground capacity will be capped at 75 per cent, ensuring a crowd of up to 20,000.

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The NRL has been working with State Government authorities to ensure the dead rubber remained in NSW as the Blues shoot for a 3-0 clean sweep.

“This is a reward for the people of Newcastle and Hunter region,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.

“These fans are among the most passionate fans in our game. They turn out and support the Knights every week and we are excited to bring Ampol State of Origin to Newcastle.

Origin III will be played in front of 20,000 fans in Newcastle (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“One of the positives to come from the pandemic has been the opportunity to give passionate rugby league communities like Newcastle and Townsville the chance to host Origin when they otherwise wouldn’t.”

Fans from Greater Sydney — including Wollongong and Shellharbour, Blue Mountains and the Central Coast — will not be permitted to purchase tickets which go on sale Monday.

Those who bought tickets to the scheduled game at Stadium Australia will be given refunds.

Originally published as State of Origin venue: Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium to host game 3