Update – Monday May 31, 2021
The NRL has made difficult decisions to relocate events away from Victoria, as the state undergoes tightened restrictions in the wake of the current COVID-19 outbreak.The NRL has confirmed that Game I of the 2021 State of Origin Series, scheduled to take place at the MCG on Wednesday June 9, has been relocated to Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium, as Victoria undergoes a circuit-breaker lockdown to contain the spread of the current COVID-19 outbreak.
Members who had purchased tickets to the match at the MCG will receive a refund, while the MCG will now host State of Origin matches in 2024 and 2026.
National Rugby League (NRL) Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Abdo, said that while he is disappointed that the series opener cannot be played in Melbourne, public safety remains the NRL’s number one concern.
"We're very disappointed that we can't open the series at the MCG. We really wanted to bring a major event to Melbourne after everything Victorians have been through over the last year," Mr Abdo said.
"Public safety is our absolute priority and given the current outbreak, it remains uncertain whether we could host a mass gathering in Melbourne next week.
"We're excited to confirm that Origin will return to Melbourne in both 2024 and 2026."