South Australia is slowly but steadily becoming a hive for big sporting events – and hot off the recent success of the AFL’s Gather Round and the LIV Golf tournament, Game One of the NRL Ampol State of Origin will be held right here in SA for the first time, too.
Tackling its way into town on Wednesday 31 May for a killer start to the three-match series, the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons will battle it out at the Adelaide Oval – but not without pre-game entertainment for the ages.
Six-time ARIA Award-winning Australian rock band The Living End are set to headline the pre-match show and amp up those energy levels. The trio are best known for their hits including Prisoner of Society and White Noise, which are sure to welcome the NRL’s return to SA for the first time since 2020.
The Living End’s lead singer and guitarist, Chris Cheney says, “Holy smokes, this is an awesome thing – we’re pumped to be playing State of Origin! Turn up your TV, folks, because footy and rock’n’roll music is a mighty pairing. We can’t wait!”
But it ain’t all about the music, with additional entertainment for fans and the NRL-curious alike including a spectacular pre-match light show, a traditional Welcome to Country, the Ampol Mini Origin match at half-time featuring local junior players, plus a range of mystery experiences around the Adelaide Oval.
The game itself is expected to be heated as well, after the Maroons sealed a glorious win over the Blues in last year’s sold-out series – and this year’s edition is being billed as one of the most evenly balanced State of Origin matchups in years.
Tickets for the blockbuster opening game are up for grabs now, and you can go that one step further and with a range of corporate hospitality packages to truly elevate your State of Origin experience.