Corey Oates reveals how much State of Origin players are paid per game – and it’s much more than you think

Former Queensland Origin star Corey Oates has revealed how much players are paid per game – and the amount is surprising.

Speaking to Robin & Kip on Brisbane’s KIIS FM on Tuesday, the nine-match Maroons veteran told listeners that all players in the 17-man matchday squad will receive $15,000 for 80 minutes of work.

‘[It is] $15,000 a game for Origin, I’m pretty sure,” the winger said.

‘I don’t know what the women get paid, but I think so [NRL] tried to even it out a bit.’

Oates also confirmed there will be no additional win bonuses – and the 18th man plus extended squad players will also receive a smaller amount into their bank accounts.

Speaking to Robin & Kip on Brisbane’s KIIS FM on Tuesday, the Maroons nine-match veteran (pictured, second from left after winning the 2022 series) told listeners that all players in the 17-man matchday squad will receive $15,000 received for 80 minutes of work

“I think the 18th guy might get a few [match payment] because he’s clearly there,” the 29-year-old said.

“He has to warm up, prepare and get ready to play. And the guys who train, probably during the week, might get a little bit too.

‘It is not too bad. It’s a damn physical game, that game.

‘It [also] brings a lot of money into our game. I think it’s the biggest sporting game in Australia, in terms of appearance. It gets crazy views every game.

“So that’s why I believe it’s worth every penny to be honest.”

Ny Breaking Australia has contacted the Queensland and NSW Rugby League media teams to confirm matchday payments for this three-match series.

In 2022, it was reported that Origin players from both states were receiving $30,000 per game – in addition to their NRL salaries.

NSW State of Origin star Brian To’o (pictured, centre) used previous match payments from the NSW Blues to buy a house for his parents in Sydney

NSW and Penrith teammates (from left) Brian To’o, Nathan Cleary and Jerome Luai after winning game one of the 2021 Origin series

This followed after the amount was reduced by 50 percent during the pandemic.

Panthers star Brian To’ warmed the hearts of many football fans after it emerged he had used previous match payments from the NSW Blues to buy a house for his parents in Sydney’s west.

“We’re going to see some finance guys,” his manager Sam Ayoub said in a 2021 interview.

‘He [To’o] will spend that money on obtaining a loan to purchase a new home for his family.”

Game two of the 2024 Origin series is on June 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.