The AFL is bringing back the iconic State of Origin football for the first time since 1999, with a highly anticipated match scheduled between Western Australia and Victoria at Optus Stadium in Perth on February 14, 2026.

This marks the first official State of Origin game since 1999, with Western Australia successfully lobbying to host the event, which will be held at Optus Stadium on a Saturday.

The last game was played in 1999, where Victoria defeated South Australia, but South Australia has been excluded from the upcoming match due to lobbying from Western Australia.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon emphasized that the return aims to reignite passion, pride, and rivalries that are central to Australian rules football history, highlighting the importance of state-based competitions.

Dillon also highlighted that the league wants to give their best players opportunities to play together and ensure some form of representative football occurs in 2026.

The decision to revive State of Origin follows the success of a recent Indigenous All Stars match at Optus Stadium, which drew nearly 38,000 fans and helped reignite interest in state-level football.

This Indigenous All Stars game, along with other recent representative matches, has kept some level of state-based football alive, paving the way for the full return of the traditional rivalry.

Western Australia’s successful lobbying to host the game in Perth has led to South Australia’s exclusion from this fixture, marking a significant moment in the long-standing rivalry.

There is some debate about whether the match should be played during the pre-season or mid-season, with some suggesting a mid-season game could better recapture excitement.

The event will be broadcast on Channel 7, Fox, and streamed via platforms like 7Plus and Kayo, aiming to maximize viewership and engagement.

The State of Origin concept, which began in 1977, was a beloved tradition in Australian football but declined in popularity after 1999, making its return a significant revival.

The last State of Origin match before this revival was held in February 2020 as a one-off event for bushfire relief, marking a rare appearance in recent years.

The last time Western Australia hosted Victoria was in 1992, when Western Australia won by 67 points at the MCG, making the upcoming match a historic return to Perth for this storied rivalry.