The MCG could be half-empty during this year’s State of Origin footy clash

Only 20 per cent of seats have been booked for the upcoming State of Origin opening game – despite the kick-off being less than two weeks away.  

NSW Blues and QLD Maroons will be coming head to head on June 6 at the MCG in Melbourne, but it looks like NRL could be facing a major embarrassment. 

The State of Origin’s event listed on Ticketek states NRL are expecting ‘90,000 screaming fans when the biggest game on the sporting calendar is brought to the greatest stage in 2018.’

With less than two weeks to go until the State of Origin opening game in Melbourne’s MCG, ticket sales reveal only 20 per cent of seats have been booked

NRL could be facing a major embarrassment come June 6 for the State of Origin game between NSW Blues and QLD Maroons

NRL could be facing a major embarrassment come June 6 for the State of Origin game between NSW Blues and QLD Maroons

Less than 20,000 tickets have been bought for a stadium that holds 100,000 seats

Less than 20,000 tickets have been bought for a stadium that holds 100,000 seats

Yet less than 20,000 tickets have been bought for a stadium that holds 100,000 seats, The Telegraph reports.

State of Origin is Australia’s highest rating television event of the year. 

The annual rugby league’s football series was the most-watched program in 2017 – attracting more viewers than the Australian Open’s mens final.

While some fans blame the hefty ticket price for poor sales, there are a wide price-range of tickets still available.

Some fans blame the hefty ticket price for poor sales, there is a wide price-range of tickets still available

Some fans blame the hefty ticket price for poor sales, there is a wide price-range of tickets still available

The most expensive tickets offering the stadium’s best views are ‘diamond’ seats which cost $290.

Mid-range seats can cost between $115-150, and the Bronze and Silver categories are more affordable at $40-65 a seat.

Fans have taken to social media to slam NRL executives for hosting a game between NSW and QLD in Melbourne. 

Fans have taken to social media to slam NRL executives for hosting a game between NSW and QLD in Melbourne

'State of origin is a battle between NSW and QLD, the game should never ever be played in a state that has nothing to do with this clash!' one user said

Fans have taken to social media to slam NRL executives for hosting a game between NSW and QLD in Melbourne

‘State of origin is a battle between NSW and QLD, the game should never ever be played in a state that has nothing to do with this clash!’ one user said.

Another wrote: ‘Tickets are expensive the crowds are down because people literally can’t afford to go. The game keeps changing. The refereeing has never been worse. There is little to no tradition left in the game and now they play an origin game in Melbourne when the teams are from NSW and QLD.’

‘The ticket prices are a joke and I follow Storm every week and will be there but the prices are too much for a non NRL VIC fan who typically follows AFL,’ another fan said. 

According to Ticketek's site, NRL are expecting '90,000 screaming fans when the biggest game on the sporting calendar is brought to the greatest stage in 2018'

According to Ticketek’s site, NRL are expecting ‘90,000 screaming fans when the biggest game on the sporting calendar is brought to the greatest stage in 2018’

One fan took to social slamming the choice in venue, 'The ticket prices are a joke and I follow Storm every week and will be there but the prices are too much for a non NRL VIC fan who typically follows AFL'

One fan took to social slamming the choice in venue, ‘The ticket prices are a joke and I follow Storm every week and will be there but the prices are too much for a non NRL VIC fan who typically follows AFL’



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