Sydney, Feb 22 (AP) Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the first round of this year's State of Origin rugby league series between New South Wales and Queensland.

The match, on June 9, will be the 10th played at the MCG and the first since 2018.

The second match at Suncorp Stadium on June 27 will be only the second played at the Brisbane venue on a Sunday.

The series concludes at Stadium Australia in Sydney on July 14.

In announcing the venues on Monday, National Rugby League chief executive Andrew Abdo said his organization was determined to take the games to the widest possible audience in a COVID-safe environment.

"We're excited to be taking Australia's biggest sporting brand to Melbourne for the 10th time,” he said.

"The last year has been incredibly challenging for (Melbourne's Victoria state) with the extended lockdowns and challenges.

"We're delighted to be bringing Ampol State of Origin back to the city.” (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)