State of Origin revenue to break $100 million

 

The impact of State of Origin on Australian – and worldwide – sport is set to grow even more next year, after it was revealed that the revenue the 2015 series creates will break through the $100 million barrier for the first time in history.

Australia media are reporting that with three sell-outs in three entirely different states, Origin is about to make more money than ever seen before.

In case you missed it, Origin will head outside of the traditional Queensland and New South Wales stronghold in 2015, when the second game of the series heads to Victoria – with a game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Officials are expecting the potential of a 90,000 sellout for that particular game.

It is expected games in Sydney and Brisbane will generate about $10 million each. The economic impact for the states NSW and Queensland will be about $20 million.

The $100 million is expected to be reached via ticket sales – which alone will generate $27.5 million, as well as sponsorship and the financial gians reaped from tourism, travel and hospitality sales throughout the entire series. The NRL expect 25,000 fans to travel to Victoria for the second game from NSW and Queensland.

“State of Origin is the biggest sporting event in Australia,” said NSWRL chief executive David Trodden.

“If any event has the capacity to be valued at more than $100 million then it is State of Origin. And 2015 might just be the year when it does.”

“Tickets for the Melbourne game have been on sale since July this year, which highlights our commitment to ensuring the game is a success at a historic venue like the MCG,” said NRL head of commercial Paul Kind.

“This will be the most significant event on our calendar next year.”

Flyers promoting the MCG game were handed out to a 20,000-strong crowd who attended last Sunday’s Four Nations Test between Australia and England at AAMI Park.