STATE of Origin is coming to Newcastle with McDonald Jones Stadium to host game three next Wednesday.
The Broadmeadow ground was announced as the host venue for the final match of this year's series - already won by the NSW Blues - on Wednesday after the NSW government and Australian Rugby League Commission finalised their negotiations.
The July 14 match was scheduled to be played at Stadium Australia but that had appeared unlikely ever since the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney last month.
Newcastle was locked in after Sydney's lockdown was extended for a week.
"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," NRL boss Andrew Abdo said.
"This is a reward for the people of Newcastle and the Hunter region. 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."
Civic and business leaders hailed the announcement as a major "coup" for the city.
"City of Newcastle has a strategic focus on attracting and retaining major events as they stimulate the local economy, attract visitors, provide recreational opportunities for locals and enhance our position as a truly global city," Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
"Rugby league is part of Newcastle's history and social fabric, which is why a State of Origin played right here at McDonald Jones Stadium is a big win for locals."
Newcastle Tourism Industry Group chair Kent Warren said hosting Origin would build the city's reputation as an events destination, following on from Supercars and the World Surf League.
"It's a massive coup for the region, it backs up the drive from council and industry to place Newcastle at the forefront of the events calendar," he said. "State of Origin is one of the stellar events, nationally, and for Newcastle to be thought of in that way shows that we can hold major events and do it well."
Mr Warren said the opening Origin match in Townsville had been a significant boost for that region's visitor economy and showed why regional cities were worthy of hosting major events.
"It was a huge success and just shows that major cities don't have to host these events all the time," he said.
"Crowd capacity comes into it ... but it's more so, do these country, satellite cities have the know-how, experience and expertise to pull off an event? And I think Newcastle has shown that we do."
Tickets go on sale Monday via NRL.com and start at $49 or $140 for a family.
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