SEN to deliver AFL State of Origin coverage live from Optus Stadium

Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) will deliver comprehensive live coverage of the highly anticipated AFL State of Origin match this weekend, as Western Australia takes on Victoria in the first elite‑level State of Origin clash in more than 25 years.

The match will be played at Optus Stadium on Saturday 14 February, marking an important moment on the Australian football calendar. It represents the first AFL State of Origin contest since 1999 and the first time Western Australia and Victoria have met at senior level since 1992, with a capacity crowd expected in Perth.

SEN’s live match coverage will begin from 7pm AEDT (4pm AWST), with Gerard Whateley, Tim Gossage, Peter Bell and Scott Cummings calling all the action as state pride and bragging rights return to centre stage. Fans in-stadium will be able to listen live without delay using SEN Stadium via the SEN App, whilst fans at home can sync SEN’s coverage to their television broadcast using SEN Sync, ensuring they don’t miss a minute of the action.

In the lead‑up to the opening bounce, Crunch Time returns for the first time in 2026, airing nationally from 12 to 2pm AEDT on Saturday. Featuring Andy Maher, Brad Johnson and Adam Cooney, the program will set the scene for the night ahead, reflecting on the rich history of State of Origin football, revisiting the great moments and champions who have represented their state, and breaking down the Western Australia v Victoria clash.

The celebration of State of Origin football continues across SEN on Sunday 15 February, with an AFL Origin special edition of This Is Your Journey airing from 10 to 11am AEDT, made possible thanks to Tobin Brothers Funerals. Hosted by Sam Edmund, the feature includes conversations with Garry Lyon (VIC), Graham Cornes (SA), Gary Buckenara (WA) and Alastair Lynch (TAS) - legends of their respective states – as they reflect on the pride, emotion and significance of representing their home state. The program takes listeners back to the glory days of State of Origin, capturing how special the concept has been to players and fans across eras, and further complementing SEN’s weekend celebration of state‑against‑state football.

SEN CEO, Craig Hutchison, said the return of AFL State of Origin is a natural fit for the network’s live event coverage.

“The return of State of Origin football is one of the most exciting moments on the AFL calendar in years, and SEN is proud to bring it to fans across the country,” Hutchison said.

“This is about state pride, history and elite talent coming together on one stage, and our coverage will reflect the significance of the occasion. From Crunch Time in the build‑up to the final siren at Optus Stadium - and with This Is Your Journey continuing the storytelling the following morning - we’re committed to delivering coverage that captures the emotion, rivalry and theatre of this special event.”

SEN’s live AFL State of Origin coverage will be available across SEN’s platforms nationwide, including SEN 1116am Melbourne; SEN 1260am Goulburn Valley; SEN Tassie on 1629am; SEN SA Adelaide 1629am, SEN Mt Gambier 1629am; SENSpirit 621am Bunbury; SENSpirit 1494am Southwest; SEN Goldfields 1611am; SEN Top End 1611am; SEN Peel on DAB+ in WA; and on the SEN app Nationally including Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland, Sunraysia and across the WA Mid West, Pilbara and Great Southern Regions and ACE Radio Broadcasters – 2AY in Albury; 3CS in Colac; 3HA in Hamilton/Portland; 3SH Swan Hill; 3WN in Horsham, 3YB in Warrnambool; Gold 1242am in Traralgon; and 2QN in Deniliquin.