With COVID fears ruling out Melbourne, the first State of Origin game has been moved to Townsville and the game on June 9 will be the first Origin ever held in a regional city.
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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has welcomed the decision saying "Our prayers have been answered."
"To bring the game we love to the fans who love it most in their own stadium is truly special," the Premier said.
"If the 'Queenslander' chant puts the frighteners into the Blues, just wait till they hear it from North Queensland."
The Premier said Origin would do for Townsville what the Magic Round did for Brisbane.
"Hotels, pubs and restaurants were filled and cabbies reported their busiest weekend since COVID," she said.
"That's what we expect to happen in and around Townsville as fans flock to this historic event."
Ten B-double trucks are already on standby to take temporary grandstands to Country Bank Stadium.
An additional 1872 seats will take its capacity from 25,455 seats to 27,327, turning the stadium into a mini-Cauldron.
Giant screens will be erected in Flinders Street to cope with the overflow with bands and entertainment for the entire family.
National Rugby League CEO Andrew Abdo said relocating to Townsville was the best option for the game.
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"We're operating in a pandemic and our absolute priority is ensuring the continuity of the competition and our Major Events,'" he said.
"Townsville has the lowest risk of a COVID outbreak impacting the game and the least financial fallout of the available venues.
"Townsville is also a new, state of the art venue, with the capabilities to host an event with a global audience like Origin, placing it ahead of alternate regional locations."
The Premier thanked the NRL and its chairman Peter V'Landys for the decision.
She noted it came as the Maroons announced its 20-man squad for Game One.
"Origin unites us like nothing else does," the Premier said.
"Let's paint the State Maroon and celebrate this great moment."
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
