Following the immense succcss of the 2025 pre-season game between the Fremantle Dockers and the Indigenous All-Stars in Perth, attended by nearly 38,000 people at Optus Stadium, the AFL has recognised that football fans and proper representative football have become like a pair of former lovers longing for what once was.
How fitting then that the league has chosen the day of love - February 14 - for the AFL's first competitive interstate game since 1999, when Western Australia hosts Victoria at Optus Stadium for a Saturday night blockbuster during the 2026 pre-season.
The AFL have opted for a cautious return to Origin football, snubbing South Australia and the northern states to instead opt for one single match.
Western Australia and Victoria last did battle in 1992, shortly before State of Origin's slow and painful decline into irrelevance.
The league has since spent years consulting with clubs, the Players Association and other stakeholders to ensure a widespread buy-in, particularly amongst clubs who may rightfully be concerned about risking some of their best players in what is expected to be a competitive match rather than a glorified training run.
This is the next part of new AFL boss Andrew Dillon's plan to add more marquee fixtures to an ever-growing calendar which could also one day include a revival of the International Rules series against Ireland as well as a five-week finals series.
“State football is one of the great traditions of our game, with fans and players alike calling for its return for some time and we are thrilled to see it back,” Dillon said in an AFL media release on Monday morning.
“Origin inspires passion, State pride and draws upon years old rivalries that are central to the history of our game and our very greatest players.
“I would like to thank Premier Roger Cook and the WA Government for their support in delivering this exciting event for our code.
“It will be a special moment to see a Big V and a Sandgroper jumper back on the field before we start our 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.”
The event will be financially assisted by the Western Australia state government, with Premier Roger Cook stating:
"Bringing to Perth a rivalry which started in the 1900s and which was defined in the legendary matches of the 1980s is a proud achievement for my government.
“We know Western Australians love their footy and will fill Optus Stadium to see this blockbuster match, as will many interstate tourists.”