History of State of Origin in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 9, 2025

State of Origin is a sporting event where athletes represent the state or territory where their careers began. It originated in Australian rules football in 1977 between Western Australia and Victoria, conceived by Leon Larkin. Selection criteria vary by sport; Australian football focuses on junior playing history, while Rugby League emphasizes where a player first played senior or played the majority of senior Rugby League. The annual Rugby League State of Origin series is a major sporting event in Australia. The concept has also been adopted for smaller domestic representative sporting events in Australia.

1900: Call for 'state of origin' selection rules

In 1900, a journalist known as "The Cynic" suggested that Stephen Spragg should be able to play for his state of birth, New South Wales. However, this change did not happen.

1948: Previous biggest winning margin for Western Australia

Prior to the State of Origin series, Western Australia's previous biggest winning margin against a Victorian state team had been 38 points in 1948.

1974: Origin of "the Blues" nickname

In 1974, a journalist used the name "the Blues" in an article about the New South Wales team, who play in sky blue jerseys.

October 1977: State of Origin began in Australian rules football

In October 1977, the State of Origin competition began in Australian rules football between Western Australia and Victoria, at Subiaco Oval in Perth. This was the brainchild of Leon Larkin.

October 1977: First State of Origin Australian Football Game

On 8 October 1977, the first 'state of origin' game, an Australian Football game between Western Australia (WA) and Victoria, was held at Subiaco Oval in Perth. Leon Larkin negotiated arrangements for the game with the VFL for two years.

July 1980: First "state of origin" match between New South Wales and Queensland

On 8 July 1980, New South Wales and Queensland played their first "state of origin" match. Queensland defeated New South Wales in that match.

1982: Queensland State of Origin series wins

From 1982 to 2013, Queensland won 18 State of Origin series, NSW won 13, with 2 drawn.

1989: Record crowd for interstate Australian rules games

In 1989, a crowd of 91,960 people attended a game between Victoria and South Australia at the MCG, which was a record for interstate games in Australian rules.

1996: Start of annual veterans' game

From 1996 until 2019, a veterans' State of Origin game was held annually.

1999: Last official State of Origin game involving AFL players

In 1999, the last official State of Origin game involving AFL players was held.

2001: Revival of England's inter-county games

In 2001, the success of the State of Origin series in Australian rugby league resulted in the revival of England's inter-county games under the name Origin Series.

2003: End of England's Origin Series

In 2003, the revival of England's inter-county games under the name Origin Series was scrapped.

2005: Attendance record for a series with two matches in Queensland

The 2005 State of Origin series saw an attendance record for a series with two matches in Queensland, with 187,374 attendees.

2006: Queensland State of Origin series wins

Queensland won 8 State of Origin series in a row from 2006 to 2013.

May 2008: AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match

On 10 May 2008, an AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match between Victorian and Dream Team was staged to celebrate 150 years of Australian Football.

2009: Record television audience for Game 1

In 2009, the record television audience for a State of Origin game was set during game 1, with 3.48 million viewers.

2011: Inaugural International Origin Match

In 2011, the International Origin Match was first held, pitting the England national team against Australian and New Zealand stars in the Super League.

2013: Queensland State of Origin series wins

From 1982 to 2013, Queensland won 18 State of Origin series, NSW won 13, with 2 drawn.

2013: Final International Origin Match

In 2013, the International Origin Match was last held, pitting the England national team against Australian and New Zealand stars in the Super League.

2015: Record crowd at Melbourne Cricket Ground

In 2015, a record crowd of 91,513 attended a State of Origin game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Also in 2015, a record of 224,135 people attended the annual three-game series.

2019: End of annual veterans' game

From 1996 until 2019, a veterans' State of Origin game was held annually.

2019: State of Origin for Bushfire Relief Match

In 2019, a one-off State of Origin for Bushfire Relief Match between Victoria and All-Stars was staged to raise money for the victims of the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season.