Typically, premier sports events are held on the weekend.
State of Origin, however, is an exception to this rule.
Rugby league's biggest rivalry – played as a three-game series annually – is usually played on a Wednesday night.
The Sporting News breaks down the main reasons behind the unique scheduling.
MORE: State of Origin tips
Why is State of Origin played on a Wednesday?
TV ratings
Money makes the world, and rugby league, go round.
The mid-week, after-dinner slot is primetime on free-to-air TV, which means advertising value is increased.
Origin typically rates higher than the NRL grand final, so it makes complete sense that the league would want to take advantage of it commercially.
Crucially, it's not going head-to-head with the AFL, boosting potential to attract new fans.
NRL schedule
All three Origin matches take place during the NRL season.
By hosting each game on a Wednesday, it allows players to potentially back up for their club side at the weekend.
Players already miss one clash through training camp ahead of an Origin match.
If NSW and Queensland stars were to represent their state on a Saturday or Sunday, it would essentially rule them out of club action for two straight matches.
Origin's mid-week scheduling allows the NRL to continue with relatively limited disruptions and player absences.
Origin has become synonymous with Wednesday
So much of sport is about the vibe.
As bizarre as it may seem, the Wednesday timeslot has become part of the modern Origin fabric.
The pre-match chatter at work, heading to the pub on a random weekday, and the banter in the office the day after sets it apart from weekend matches.
Has State of Origin always been played on a Wednesday?
State of Origin hasn't always been synonymous with Wednesdays.
Game 3 in 1987 marked the first Origin match to be played on a Wednesday night.
Then, the first full series entirely played on Wednesday nights was in 1990, before it became a regular event in 2002.
Organisers have experimented with other nights, too. The entire 2001 series was played on Sunday nights, while Origin went on a run of only Tuesday matches from 1980 to 1987.
Origin most recently bucked the Wednesday night trend in 2022, with Game 2 taking place in Perth on a Sunday evening.