Second relocation sees State of Origin finale moved to Gold Coast

July 10, 2021

Game Three of State of Origin 2021 has been moved to the Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium after the NSW Government announced that the state’s COVID-19 crisis would not allow Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium to host a major crowd.

While there has been no community transmission in Newcastle up until now, the NSW Government this morning informed the NRL that no fans would be allowed at State of Origin III if the game went ahead in the Hunter Valley.

With McDonald Jones Stadium only having been allocated the game as of Wednesday (7th July) after Stadium Australia had been ruled out by Sydney's ongoing Coronavirus lockdown, and emergency Australian Rugby League Commission meeting has tonight decided to move the game to the Gold Coast with Cbus Super Stadium able to host a capacity crowd of over 27,000.

The fixture, to be played on Wednesday night, will be the first time a State of Origin clash will have been held on the Gold Coast and follows the first match in the series having been played at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

In a statement, NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo said he was “disappointed” at the news in a statement, but that it was “exciting” for the Gold Coast, noting “we are disappointed not to be able to give Newcastle the city’s first State of Origin, but we must operate within all State Public Health Orders and not having a crowd in Newcastle negates the opportunity for our fans from the region.”

Abdo went on to say, the Gold Coast presented an easy alternative given neither team would need to travel, adding “the Gold Coast has a very low infection rate and both origin camps are currently located within driving distance of Cbus Super Stadium. It means neither team will be disadvantaged by travel.”

With the current Coronavirus outbreak worsening in NSW, there has been extensive media speculation that the NRL could be moved to a regional hub for the rest of the season.

Potential locations for the possible hub have been suggested as areas Queensland and areas of regional NSW and Queensland.

Image: Cbus Super Stadium.

8th July 2021 - VMA says Australia getting vaccinated is the key to live entertainment industry’s road to recovery

7th July 2021 - Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium to stage relocated State of Origin finale

5th July 2021 - Suncorp Stadium operating at full capacity while Brisbane’s entertainment venues stay closed

2nd July 2021 - Prime Minister Scott Morrison reveals four step plan to take Australia beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

1st July 2021 - Venues in regional Victoria see prospects for hosting AFL Premiership fixtures

30th June 2021 - State lockdowns sees all 18 AFL clubs relocate to Victoria

27th June 2021 - Rise in Coronavirus cases sees NSW Government introduce two-week lockdown for Greater Sydney and surrounding areas

24th June 2021 - Rise COVID-19 cases see NSW Government announce mandatory mask-wearing in workplaces, at sporting events and in gym classes

23rd June 2021 - Crowds to return to Melbourne stadia as capacity limits removed for events and venues in Western Australia

18th June 2021 - Stakeholders reveal plans for new major venues across Australia

16th June 2021 - COVID-19 lockdown sees AFL move Melbourne fixtures to Tasmania

8th June 2021 - Victoria’s Chief Health Officer warns of no large crowds when Melbourne lockdown ends

3rd June 2021 - Warnings issued on buying or selling scalped tickets ahead of State of Origin game

1st June 2021 - Melbourne Coronavirus situation sees State of Origin opener relocated to Townsville

14th May 2021 - Suncorp Stadium ready for NRL Magic Round

21st April 2021 - State of Origin returns to Optus Stadium in 2022

20th April 2021 - Successful Brisbane 2032 Olympics bid would prompt Gabba redevelopment as main Games venue

2nd April 2021 - NRL relocates round four fixtures to Sydney

19th March 2021 - Cbus Super Stadium to host NRL game without COVID capacity restrictions

8th January 2021 - Venues NSW tells Sydney fans not to attend tonight’s A-League and W-League games in Newcastle

30th October 2020 - McDonald Jones Stadium looks to grow reputation as the place where Newcastle celebrates

12th June 2020 - Australian Prime Minister moves forward relaxation of Coronavirus rules to allow crowds to return to sport and entertainment

30th August 2019 - Indigenous NRL All Stars match secured for Cbus Super Stadium

17th September 2018 - Rugby Australia to review security after fan incident after Test at Cbus Super Stadium

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.