As Queensland and NSW gear up for the final men’s State of Origin match in Brisbane, Flight Centre Travel Group’s Stage and Screen corporate arm reported a 138 per cent hike in year-on-year business flight bookings across the three dates of the 2024 series.
Stage and Screen, which manages travel for Queensland’s Maroons players, said the 2024 annual series is one of the most well-attended and economically impactful yet.
Stage and Screen General Manager Adam Moon said the flight booking data shows the growing popularity and support for the State of Origin and reflects the series’ expanding influence off the field among corporate travellers.
It also taps into the growing leisure travel trend of ‘sportscursions’ among Aussie Gen Z and Millennial travellers keen to travel for major sporting competitions.

“Not only do major sporting events such as the State of Origin have a profound impact on tourism and local economies, but we’re seeing clear signs that the grandstand could be replacing the golf course or boardroom for business deals,” Moon said.
“Not only are these events hugely popular with the leisure market, but it feeds into an even wider pivot we’re witnessing with sporting events becoming a hub as the preferred places for business travellers to network, negotiate and forge connections.”
The State of Origin series is on the top list of events where business deals are being done, particularly as the code collects record attendance and TV ratings.
Moon expects demand in Queensland to continue to increase for the State of Origin and other major sporting events as Brisbane gears up to host the 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games.