The men's rugby league State of Origin will be played in New Zealand for the first time. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
Australian rugby league's showpiece event will head across the Tasman for the first time, with the men's State of Origin confirmed for Auckland next year.
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) announced on Tuesday that Game II of the 2027 series will be played at Auckland's Eden Park.
It will be only the second time State of Origin has been played outside Australia, with California hosting a match in 1987 at Veterans Memorial Stadium, which was won by the Blues 30–18.
ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said the Origin match, scheduled for June 16, 2027, will be part of a wider rugby league festival in New Zealand's largest city.
"State of Origin is truly unique. It creates an atmosphere unlike anything else in Australian sport — fierce rivalry, raw passion and an intensity that can only be understood by experiencing it firsthand. It's a bucket-list event," Mr V'landys said.
"It's not just the Origin match fans can look forward to — we are planning a week of rugby league festivities in the lead-up to the event, starting with a Warriors game at Eden Park on the Sunday afternoon prior to the Origin fixture.
"It's going to be a complete takeover of Auckland, showcasing the best of our game to New Zealanders and fans travelling from all over the world."
Despite being a contest between Queensland and New South Wales, the State of Origin series has garnered widespread interest since its inception in 1980.
Eligibility rules were changed this year to allow some players to represent Queensland or New South Wales, but then be selected for New Zealand and England in the Test area.
Kalyn Ponga, Addin Fonua-Blake and Briton Nikora all played in this year's Origin series and will be available for Kiwi selection at this year's World Cup.
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