It’s been almost four decades since State of Origin saw its first—and still only—overseas match-up.

Now the ever-entrepreneurial ARLC chairman Peter V’Landys has raised the prospect of doing it again, revealing a marquee New Zealand clash could be in the pipeline for the 2027 series.

Speaking with The Courier Mail, V’landys indicated the NRL is in negotiations with New Zealand officials for a clash that would likely take place at Eden Park in Auckland or the new 30,000-capacity Te Kaha Stadium in Christchurch which is due to open next year.

While State of Origin has been regularly taken around the country in recent seasons, and will again feature at the MCG for Game II in 2026, Australian rugby league’s showpiece has only been played overseas once.

MORE: Why the NRL’s trip to Las Vegas in 2026 will be bigger than ever before

Before a combination of 12,349 curious Americans and Aussie expats, that match took place at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach, California back in 1987 and was won by New South Wales, 30-18.

Unfortunately for the Blues, however, it was treated as a standalone exhibition and didn’t count towards that year’s series which the Queensland Maroons led by Wally Lewis had already won 2-1.

‘New Zealand is on our hit list’

With a bumper new broadcast deal on the horizon, it’s understood the game’s power brokers are keen explore international growth opportunities for State of Origin—opening the door for the annual series to potentially be treated as a separate rights package.

“Yes, that is something we are looking at,” V’Landys said.

“Next year we’re going to the MCG and then 2027 is available, so Origin in New Zealand is on our hit list.”

In a mirror reversal of this year’s Game II in Perth, one of the main challenges with a New Zealand Origin clash isn’t the game itself but the time zone, given the traditionally preferred 8pm (AET) kick-off would be 10pm in New Zealand.

V’Landys admitted he is aware of the issue, but didn’t appear overly concerned. 

“If you have a will, you have a way and the New Zealand fans would love to see State of Origin,” he said.