The third and final game in the 2021 State of Origin series has been relocated to Newcastle, due to Sydney's recent COVID-19 resurgence.
Originally scheduled to be played at Stadium Australia, next Wednesday's dead rubber will now be played at McDonald Jones Stadium, with the Greater Sydney region's lockdown extended another week.
New South Wales have already wrapped up the series, holding an unassailable 2-0 lead, after dominant wins in the opening two games in Townsville and Brisbane respectively.
The match will be played in front of up to 20,000 fans, which equates to 75 percent of the stadium's capacity.
Fans located in Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour will not be permitted to purchase tickets.
The match will be the first Origin fixture ever played in Newcastle.
"This is a reward for the people of Newcastle and Hunter region," says NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.
"These fans are among the most passionate fans in our game. They turn out and support the Knights every week and we are excited to bring State of Origin to Newcastle.
"One of the positives to come from the pandemic has been the opportunity to give passionate rugby league communities like Newcastle and Townsville the chance to host Origin when they otherwise wouldn't."
