{
  "id": 1589491,
  "title": "Breaking: Rugby league State of Origin headed to New Zealand for first time",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/breaking-rugby-league-state-of-origin-headed-to-new-zealand-for-first",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-17T23:32:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News",
    "slug": "abc-news",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-18/rugby-league-state-of-origin-headed-to-new-zealand/107048994"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Australian rugby league's prestigious State of Origin event will for the first time be played in New Zealand next year, with Game II of the 2027 series confirmed for Auckland's Eden Park. This marks only the second instance State of Origin has been played outside Australia, following a match hosted in California in 1987 at Veterans Memorial Stadium, which was won by the Blues 30-18. ARLC chairman Peter V'landys stated that the Origin match, scheduled for June 16, 2027, will be part of a broader rugby league festival in Auckland. Mr V'landys emphasized that State of Origin is a unique event, creating an atmosphere of fierce rivalry, raw passion, and intense intensity, making it a must-see for fans. Apart from the match, fans can anticipate a week-long rugby league extravaganza leading up to the event, beginning with a Warriors game at Eden Park on the Sunday prior to the Origin fixture. The festival aims to showcase the best of rugby league to both New Zealanders and international fans. Despite being a Queensland vs New South Wales contest, State of Origin has garnered significant interest since its inception in 1980. This year's eligibility rules were altered to enable some players to represent Queensland or New South Wales, while also being eligible for selection in New Zealand and England's Test squads. Kalyn Ponga, Addin Fonua-Blake, and Briton Nikora were among this year's State of Origin players and will be available for Kiwi selection at this year's World Cup.",
  "summary": "Australian rugby league's showpiece event will be headed across the Tasman for the first time, with the men's State of Origin confirmed for Auckland next year.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Breaking: Rugby league State of Origin headed to New Zealand for first time",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/breaking-rugby-league-state-of-origin-headed-to-new-zealand-for-first-1592388",
        "published": "2026-08-17T23:32:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}