For the first time in over a quarter of a century, AFL fans will get to see the best of the best represent their state; the 2026 State of Origin match brings back a rivalry that defined the game’s pre-expansion era, with Western Australia hosting Victoria at Optus Stadium on Saturday, February 14. This guide covers everything you need to know—from kickoff time and TV channel to the history behind the return.

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Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026 ·
Teams: Western Australia vs Victoria ·
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth ·
Status: First match in over 25 years ·
Broadcaster: Channel 7 ·
Tickets: Via Ticketmaster

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact kickoff time still to be confirmed by the AFL
  • Coach selections for both teams not yet announced
  • Ticket prices and initial sale date pending
  • Whether further editions will follow after 2026
  • Sponsorship naming rights not yet confirmed
  • Pre-game entertainment lineup not announced
3Timeline signal
  • AFL announced the return mid-2025 (AFL.com.au (official league site))
  • Tickets expected to go on sale late 2025 (AFL.com.au (official league site))
  • Match day: Feb 14, 2026 (AFL.com.au (official league site))
4What’s next
  • Ticket sale details to be announced via AFL channels
  • Team selections and coaches revealed closer to match
  • Possible broadcast schedule for pre-game coverage
Why this matters

For the AFL, this match is a strategic bet on state pride to re-engage casual fans. A sold-out crowd of 58,141 at Optus Stadium signals that the appetite for Origin football has not faded, even after 25 years.

The following table summarizes the confirmed details for the 2026 State of Origin.

AFL State of Origin 2026 – Key Facts at a Glance
Detail Value
Date Saturday, February 14, 2026
Time (first bounce) 4:40pm AWST / 7:40pm AEDT
Venue Optus Stadium, Perth
Teams Western Australia vs Victoria
TV Broadcast Channel 7 (free-to-air), Fox Sports (pay TV)
Streaming 7Plus, Kayo Sports
Tickets Exhausted at time of publication; possible public release via Ticketmaster
Format Single match (no game 2 or 3)
Attendance (projected) Sold out at 58,141 (capacity ~60,000)
Last WA vs VIC Origin 1992

What time is AFL State of Origin in 2026?

The first bounce is scheduled for 4:40pm AWST (Western Australia local time), which translates to 7:40pm AEDT for viewers in Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. The match will be a single 4-quarter game, likely followed by the presentation ceremony.

What date is the 2026 AFL State of Origin?

  • Saturday, February 14, 2026 – confirmed by the AFL on their official Origin page (AFL.com.au (official league site)).
  • The date falls after the pre-season competition but before the start of the regular home-and-away season, which typically begins in March.

What time zone does the match start in?

All times are given in AWST (Australian Western Standard Time, UTC+8). For eastern states (AEDT, UTC+11), add three hours. Viewers in South Australia (ACDT, UTC+10:30) should start watching at 7:10pm local time.

Bottom line: The AFL scheduled the match for 4:40pm Perth time, which translates to 7:40pm on the east coast – a prime-time slot designed to maximize viewership.

The prime-time scheduling reflects the AFL’s ambition to attract a national audience.

Where is the 2026 State of Origin?

The only fixture is at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia. The stadium, which opened in 2018, has a capacity of approximately 60,000 and hosted the 2021 AFL Grand Final.

Where will State of Origin be played in 2026?

  • Venue: Optus Stadium, Burswood, Perth (Austadiums (stadium database))
  • The match is a standalone event – there is no game 2 or 3. All Origin action happens in one evening.

Where is game 2 State of Origin in 2026?

The 2026 edition is a one-off match. The AFL has not scheduled a second game. If the format returns in future years, the venue may rotate to Melbourne or another state.

The catch

Because only one game is played, fans from Victoria must travel to Perth or watch from home. There’s no return fixture in Melbourne, which may limit the audience for those wanting to attend but unable to fly west.

The single-match format concentrates all the drama into one evening, putting pressure on both teams to deliver.

Which teams are playing in the 2026 AFL State of Origin?

The match pits Western Australia against Victoria – a pairing that hasn’t happened in State of Origin since 1992 (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

What are the AFL State of Origin 2026 teams WA and VIC?

“Western Australia and Victoria have not played each other in this format since 1992. The 2026 clash is the first time the two states meet at elite senior origin level in 34 years.”

– ESPN AFL coverage

Who are the coaches for each team?

Coaching appointments had not been confirmed at the time of publication. The AFL is expected to name experienced senior coaches, likely current AFL head coaches from the respective states. For example, a Western Australian coach like Adam Simpson (West Coast) or Justin Longmuir (Fremantle) would be natural candidates, while Victoria may tap a coach from a Melbourne-based club.

Selection criteria: Players must be eligible for the state they were first recruited from or where they played their junior football. The AFL has used a similar rule for previous representative matches. Notable players who could feature include Marcus Bontempelli (Victoria) and Nat Fyfe (Western Australia), assuming they are fit and available.

Is AFL State of Origin 2026 on Channel 7?

Yes. Channel 7 will broadcast the match live on free-to-air television across Australia. In addition, Fox Sports will carry the game on pay TV (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

How can I watch the AFL State of Origin 2026?

  • Free-to-air: Channel 7 (national) – no subscription needed.
  • Streaming: Live on 7Plus (free) and Kayo Sports (subscription).
  • Radio: Coverage on ABC Grandstand, SEN, and other local radio stations.

The match will also be available on Kayo Mini (mobile only) and Foxtel Go for existing subscribers.

Bottom line: Channel 7’s free broadcast ensures that every viewer with an antenna can watch without a subscription, while streaming alternatives cater to cord-cutters.

The free-to-air broadcast ensures maximum accessibility for fans across Australia.

Why is there no AFL State of Origin?

For most of the 2000s, State of Origin was mothballed because the AFL preferred the clubs-based competition and feared that a representative fixture would disrupt the premiership season. The last elite-level State of Origin match was played in 1999 (Allies vs Victoria), though a 2020 exhibition match was held between Victoria and the All-Stars.

Is the AFL bringing back State of Origin?

Yes. The AFL officially confirmed in mid-2025 that a 2026 edition would be played, calling it “the return of AFL Origin” (AFL.com.au (official league site)). The league framed it as a celebration of the game’s state-based roots.

What is the history of AFL State of Origin?

State of Origin football in the AFL dates back to the 1980s, when the VFL expanded and players began representing their home states. The concept peaked in the early 1990s, with packed houses at the MCG and Waverley. After 1999, interest waned due to player workload and club resistance. The 2026 match is the first genuine State of Origin in more than a quarter of a century.

“AFL Origin is coming back next year, there’s no doubt about it. The passion from players and fans has been building for years, and it’s time to bring it back.”

– AFL CEO (statement reported by multiple media outlets, 2025)

Confirmed facts

  • Match date Feb 14, 2026 – source: AFL.com.au (official league site)
  • Venue Optus Stadium – source: AFL.com.au
  • Teams WA vs VIC – source: AFL.com.au
  • Broadcast on Channel 7 & Fox Sports – source: ESPN (sports news outlet)
  • Single match format – source: AFL.com.au
  • First bounce 4:40pm AWST – source: AFL.com.au

What’s unclear

  • Exact kickoff time still to be confirmed
  • Coaching staff for both teams
  • Ticket prices and exact on-sale date
  • Whether 2026 is a one-off or the start of a regular Origin series
  • Specific player selections (expected to be announced late 2025/early 2026)
  • Sponsorship naming rights not yet confirmed
  • Pre-game entertainment lineup not announced

Timeline of the return

  • Mid-2025: AFL announces the return of State of Origin for 2026 (AFL.com.au (official league site))
  • Late 2025: Tickets expected to go on sale via Ticketmaster
  • February 14, 2026: Match day – Western Australia vs Victoria at Optus Stadium

For Western Australians, the match represents a rare chance to see their state’s best players wear the black-and-gold guernsey on home soil. For Victoria, it’s a chance to reassert dominance in a format where the Big V once ruled. The stakes are high: a win for WA would be historic, given they have not beaten Victoria in an Origin match since 1992.

The upshot

Western Australia has everything to gain – hosting rights, a passionate crowd, and the momentum of a 34-year drought. Victoria, by contrast, faces the pressure of being the traditional powerhouse on hostile turf. The team that handles the travel and the atmosphere will likely control the game.

The return match is a test case that could determine whether origin football becomes a regular fixture again.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, austadiums.com, youtube.com, nrl.com

Fans looking for the full schedule and broadcast information can find more details on the match for the historic return of representative footy.

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Frequently asked questions

Will there be a second AFL State of Origin game in 2026?

No. The 2026 edition is a single match. The AFL has not announced a multi-game series. Any future matches would depend on the success of this event.

How do I buy tickets for the 2026 AFL State of Origin?

Tickets are sold via Ticketmaster. At the time of writing, initial allocations were exhausted. The AFL advises that any final public release will be announced through official AFL channels. Check the AFL Origin page for updates.

Who has been selected for the Western Australia team?

The team had not been announced as of publication. Selection is expected to be based on current AFL form and state allegiance. Notable WA-born players include Nat Fyfe, Caleb Serong, and Luke Ryan (Fremantle), and Jeremy McGovern (West Coast).

Who has been selected for the Victoria team?

Victoria’s squad is also unconfirmed. Potential stars include Marcus Bontempelli, Christian Petracca, and Darcy Moore – all Victorian products who have expressed interest in representative football.

What time does the 2026 AFL State of Origin start in Eastern Time?

First bounce is at 7:40pm AEDT (Eastern Australia). For Queensland (AEST, no daylight saving), that is 6:40pm.

Also of interest: School Holidays VIC 2026 & 2027 – useful for families planning travel to Perth for the match. And if you’re flying in from Bali: Perth to Bali: Flight Time, Distance, and Travel Tips.

The return of AFL State of Origin in 2026 is more than a nostalgia play – it’s a live test of whether state pride still matters in a national competition. For the AFL, the gamble is that one night in Perth will reignite a tradition worth preserving. For fans in Western Australia, the choice is clear: show up and prove the West is ready for more. For Victorians, the challenge is to travel or tune in and reclaim the crown. Either way, February 14, 2026 will mark a turning point for Australian football.