STATE OF ORIGIN BOOSTS VISITOR SPEND TO NSW

Rugby League fans of both sides of the border are on tenterhooks ahead of the State of Origin decider between NSW and Queensland to be held at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday, July 17.

The sold-out event all comes down to the final clash and will finally answer the burning question: “Can NSW finally break the seven-year drought and win the title?”

Regardless of the outcome of the match, however, the clear winner is the NSW economy, which has benefited through heightened visitor spend not only during Origin fever but also through a remarkable season of sporting events.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris said: “The NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, has secured two games for Sydney for the first time since 2010 – this is a great outcome for Blues fans and a significant boost to the NSW economy.”

“Over the next four years, State of Origin will drive over $65 million into the NSW economy as a result of overseas, interstate and intrastate visitors catching Origin fever.

“With the State of Origin series locked at one game apiece, it is no surprise that the third and deciding game has sold out quickly. I am delighted that this game will be held in Sydney, and it promises to bring vast economic benefits to the State,” Mr Souris said.

Mr Souris said that Destination NSW's successful bid to secure two State of Origin games in Sydney this year has complemented the State’s blockbuster line-up of major sporting events on the 2013 NSW Events Calendar, which has included:

• The British and Irish Lions Tour
• The annual Bledisloe Cup Test
• An Australian exclusive match between English Premier League giants Manchester United and the A-League All Stars team
• The opening series of Major League Baseball in 2014.

“ANZ Stadium is also expecting July to be their biggest month in almost a decade, with nearly 330,000 people expected to attend the stadium in that time,” Mr Souris said.

Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase, said: “Sydney has already hosted the deciding matches for the British and Irish Lions Tour and next week it will be for the State of Origin, reinforcing NSW’s position as the home of Australia’s most exciting sporting events.”