South Australia’s tourism industry will emerge as a winner when an NRL State of Origin clash is held at Adelaide Oval in 2020, delivering an estimated $15m to the state’s economy.
The match from the annual best-of-three series between the New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons will be the first event of its kind in SA.
The agreement for Adelaide Oval to host the 2020 State of Origin game has been secured through the State Government’s Major Events Bid Fund.
The government says more than 30% of fans coming to the game are expected to hail from outside of SA while four million people are expected to watch the clash on TV.
“The fact that this contest will be embraced by Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide in consecutive years is a significant coup for the game,” @Todd_Greenberg.https://t.co/SkCtJLvbLF #NRL pic.twitter.com/7nwDJO4sun
— NRL (@NRL) 14 February 2018
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg says the popularity of Origin will only be enhanced when the game is played at “such (an) historic venue like Adelaide Oval”.
Tourism Minister Leon Bignell says thousands of NRL fans will enjoy SA’s bars, restaurants, hotels and wine regions during their stay.
Aside from AFL, the State of Origin is one of Australia’s biggest sporting competitions.
“Most of Australia is glued to the TV when the State of Origin is on,” Min. Bignell says.
“There have been so many great games between the Blues and the Maroons and it’s brilliant we’ll be able to cheer them on live at Adelaide Oval in 2020.”
More than seven million people have already attended events at Adelaide Oval since its award-winning and multi-million dollar redevelopment in 2014.