First of all, let's talk about the history of the State of Origin. For those of you who aren't familiar, the State of Origin is an annual rugby league series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues. The series is played over three games, and the team that wins two out of three is crowned the champion.
Now, the State of Origin is not just any old rugby league game. It's a battle for supremacy between two of the biggest states in Australia, and the rivalry between Queensland and New South Wales runs deep. The games are always incredibly intense, with bone-crunching tackles, brilliant tries, and passionate crowds.
But where is the best place to hold such a historic event? Currently, the games are held in different stadiums across the country, depending on which team is hosting. Sometimes they're in Brisbane, sometimes they're in Sydney, and occasionally they're held in Melbourne or Perth.
But why limit ourselves to just one state? Why not build a stadium that sits right on the border, with half the field in Queensland and half in New South Wales? It would be the ultimate expression of State of Origin rivalry.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Wouldn't building a stadium on the border be incredibly difficult?" And you're right, it would be a logistical challenge. But let's be real here: rugby league is a tough sport, and the NRL is no stranger to tough challenges. They could make it happen if they really wanted to.
Just imagine the possibilities. Fans could literally straddle the border while they watch the game. The atmosphere would be electric, with the stadium split down the middle between maroon and blue. It would be the ultimate expression of State of Origin rivalry, and the fans would love it.
Building a stadium on the border of two states would definitely be a logistical challenge. There would be issues to consider, such as which state would have jurisdiction over the stadium and how to ensure that the stadium adheres to both states' regulations.
One potential hurdle for the NRL would be finding a suitable location for the stadium. Ideally, it would need to be somewhere close to the border, with easy access for fans from both Queensland and New South Wales. One possibility could be somewhere on the Gold Coast, which is located right on the border and already has a strong rugby league following. In fact, if the NRL were to build a stadium on the Gold Coast, they could potentially create a new team to play out of that stadium, which would help to offset the cost of construction.
Of course, another option would be to make the stadium colours customisable, so that it could be decked out in origin colours or the local team depending on which team is playing.
And think of the marketing opportunities! The NRL could brand the stadium as the ultimate pilgrimage destination for rugby league fans.
They could offer tours of the border, where fans could stand with one foot in Queensland and one foot in New South Wales. They could sell merchandise with slogans like "Straddling the Border Since '23" or "Divided by Border, United by League". The possibilities are endless.
So why hasn't this been done already? Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe the NRL hasn't considered it, or maybe they're worried about the logistics. But I say, let's make it happen. Let's build that stadium on the border, and watch the sparks fly. The State of Origin is already an incredible event, but with a border stadium, it could be even better. And if the NRL can pull it off, it would be the ultimate expression of State of Origin rivalry, and a must-see destination for rugby league fans around the world.
This has been a food-for-thought discussion by the team at MarketPartner. For marketing or press enquiries, please contact the team at admin@marketpartner.com.au