State of Origin football – a highlight of the Australian sporting calendar throughout the 1980s – is back, with Adelaide Oval set to play host to a blockbuster match between SA in Victoria in 2028.
Following the successful return of AAMI AFL Origin when WA took on Victoria, the AFL has confirmed that state-based rivalry will continue for at least the next three years.
In February 2027, Western Australia will host South Australia at Optus Stadium, almost 30 years since the states last battled in elite level State of Origin football.
South Australia and Adelaide Oval will then play host to the 2028 AAMI AFL Origin, with South Australia taking on Victoria as the two proud footballing states go head-to-head for the 19th time and first since 1999.
Western Australia will play Victoria in Perth in 2029.
SA boasts some of the competition's best players to select from including Jordan Dawson, Lachie Neale, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Connor Rozee and Brodie Grundy.
Western Australia and South Australia have a fierce rivalry. The state sides have met nine times with South Australia leading the head-to-heads five wins to four, including a 143-107 victory the last time the states played in 1998.
In 2028, South Australia and Victoria will have a score to settle with SA looking to peg one back against Victoria who lead the tally 10 wins to 8 wins, having met 18 times from 1979-1999, including the most recent match up where Victoria took the win 121-67.
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon said that state football was one of the game's great traditions and that he was "pleased to see it continue in 2027 and beyond after the huge success of its return earlier this year which saw more than 58,000 people fill Optus Stadium in Perth".
"Origin inspires passion, State pride and draws upon decades of rivalries that are central to the history of our game and our greatest players," Mr Dillon said.
"Locking in the structure for the next three years provides fans, clubs, players and stakeholders certainty on Origin, allowing them to embrace the state rivalry and celebrate our great game."
