NRL 2023: State of Origin set to lock in Optus Stadium in Perth as venue for Game 1 2025

The Blues need all the help they can get to topple Queensland. And they have just received a major boost with a happy hunting ground set to host State of Origin.

Optus Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for NSW, and Perth is set to host State of Origin Game I in 2025. Picture: Getty Images.

Western Australia is firming as the host for State of Origin in 2025 as the Western Australian government continues its push to be part of the rugby league landscape.

It is understood Perth’s Optus Stadium will play host to Origin I with the remainder of the series taking part in the traditional Sydney and Brisbane homelands.

It comes as the NRL continues to sell-off one game each year. Melbourne’s MCG will host Origin in 2024 and 2026 after game one this year was played in Adelaide.

Optus Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for NSW, and Perth is set to host State of Origin Game I in 2025. Picture: Getty Images.

Perth has had two Origin games recently with 59,358 watching game two last year.

It has been a happy hunting ground for NSW with the Blues winning both games by significant margins. They beat Queensland 38-6 in 2019 and 44-12 three years later.

The NRL is open to taking the game overseas in 2027 when the next Origin is due to be sold off. New Zealand has emerged as a potential suitor which would be the first Origin match outside of Australia since 1987 where the teams played an exhibition match in California.

WA premier Roger Cook is set to meet ARLC chairman Peter V’landys shortly with the premier dead keen on becoming part of an expanded NRL competition.

The NRL continues to sell-off one Origin game each year, with the MCG hosting a game in 2024 and 2026. Picture: Getty Images.

Perth are desperate for more rugby league content as they try to push their cause. They had success with the doubler-header when Dolphins/Newcastle and Souths/Cronulla played on Saturday night.

Cook recently met with Roosters chairman Nick Politis to rally for support. Politis has endorsed Perth’s bid to be part of a 20-team competition.

Cook, WA sports minister David Templeman and minister Peter Tinley who chairs the government’s working group bid, met with Politis.

The NRL want to expand to at least 18 teams with PNG the frontrunner. There are plans to lift the competition to 20-teams which would lead to Perth’s potential inclusion.

There is a push for Perth to align themselves with Newtown Jets.