South Australia is set to reignite one of football’s greatest rivalries, with Adelaide Oval confirmed to host a blockbuster AAMI AFL Origin clash between South Australia and Victoria in 2028.
The announcement comes after the successful return of AAMI AFL Origin earlier this year, with the AFL confirming the state-based rivalry will continue for at least the next three years.
South Australia’s return to Origin football will begin in 2027, when the state travels west to take on Western Australia at Optus Stadium in February, almost three decades since the two states last faced off at elite level.
The rivalry will then come home to Adelaide in 2028, with Adelaide Oval set to provide the perfect backdrop as South Australia and Victoria go head-to-head for the 19th time, and for the first time since 1999.
It will be a chance for the two proud football states to settle old scores, with Victoria currently leading the historic head-to-head record 10 wins to eight. The teams last met in 1999, when Victoria claimed a 121-67 victory.
South Australia will enter the clash with plenty of star power to choose from, with some of the AFL’s biggest names eligible to pull on the famous red, blue and gold guernsey, including Jordan Dawson, Lachie Neale, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Connor Rozee and Brodie Grundy.
The state’s rivalry with Western Australia is also set to be renewed in 2027, with the two sides having met nine times previously. South Australia currently holds the advantage with five wins to Western Australia’s four, including a 143-107 victory in their last meeting back in 1998.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said, “The return of Origin presents another significant opportunity to put our state in the national spotlight, and welcome thousands of thousands of people into South Australia to enjoy the best of what we have to offer.
“Our hotels, restaurants bars and pubs will benefit from Victorians flooding into SA to witness Origin on the most spectacular of stages at the Adelaide Oval.
“We look forward to welcoming thousands of Victorians to South Australia for the occasion.”
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon added, “State football is one of the great traditions of our game, and we are pleased to see it continue in 2027 and beyond after the huge success of its return earlier this year which saw more than 58,000 people fill Optus Stadium in Perth.
“Origin inspires passion, State pride and draws upon decades of rivalries that are central to the history of our game and our greatest players.
“Locking in the structure for the next three years provides fans, clubs, players and stakeholders certainty on Origin, allowing them to embrace the state rivalry and celebrate our great game.”
With Adelaide Oval already known for delivering some of Australian sport’s biggest moments, the 2028 clash is set to be a must-see event for footy fans across the country.
