In 2026, one of Australia’s greatest sporting rivalries returns to one of its most iconic stages.
Game II of the NRL Ampol State of Origin series will take place at the MCG on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — and another record-breaking crowd is expected to fill the stadium under the lights.

The last time Origin was played at the ‘G in 2024, more than 90,000 fans created an electric atmosphere that felt as big as the rivalry itself. Now, Origin is set to return to Melbourne for another unforgettable chapter in this long-standing interstate battle.

Why the MCG? Because the ‘G brings moments no other venue can.

State of Origin and the MCG have a connection that goes far beyond rugby league.
It’s a place built for big crowds, big drama, and big sporting stories.

The first Origin match played at the MCG in 1994 was a bold move — taking the game away from traditional rugby league territories in Brisbane and Sydney. But that decision paid off instantly, with nearly 90,000 fans turning out for something Melbourne had never quite experienced before.

Former Blues second-rower Paul Sironen, who played in that historic match, remembers the sheer scale of the venue:

“The thing that hits you is the enormity of the place — it’s massive.”
“Because it’s on a bigger oval, you can lose your bearings a little.
With a traditional rugby league ground, there’s not a lot of space between the sideline and the fence.”

What the MCG lacked in rugby league tradition, it made up for in spectacle. Melbourne’s sporting community embraced something new — and it set the tone for a rivalry that thrives on atmosphere and intensity.

2026 is shaping up to be another huge night under the lights.

With the Blues and Maroons returning to the MCG, fans can expect:

• A near-capacity crowd
• A stadium built for drama
• A rivalry at its absolute best
• An energy that only Melbourne can deliver

Whether you’ve been to an Origin game at the ‘G before or this will be your first, Game II in 2026 is set to be one of the standout sporting events of the year.

Experience Origin at the MCG Like Never Before

Be the first to access premium hospitality for State of Origin Game II on June 17, 2026.