Townsville will host next week's State of Origin opener after Victoria's COVID-19 outbreak forced the match away from the MCG.
The NRL confirmed the move to Queensland Country Bank on Monday afternoon, giving Queensland and New South Wales 10 days to prepare for the venue change.
As part of the new agreement with the Victorian government, Origin will return to Melbourne in 2024 and 2026.
It means Queensland will host the first two matches of the 2021 series, marking the first time since 1982 a state has done so.
Game two is set for Suncorp Stadium on June 27, before the series concludes at Sydney's Stadium Australia on July 14.
Maroons coach Paul Green welcomed the second home advantage, but was cautious about his team getting carried away in the lead up to Origin I.
"It is good to have the home crowd on your side; it creates an atmosphere but it doesn't put points on the board for you," Green said.
"It'd be enormous for Townsville, I think everyone will embrace it from the point of view. But they don't make the tackles for you or score the tries."
It's understood the NSW Government made a late bid to host the match at Parramatta's Bankwest Stadium, while the NRL also considered neutral venues such as Canberra.
The shift to Queensland comes as a blow to the Blues as they look to reclaim the Origin trophy, having won just 19 of 59 matches in the Sunshine State.
NSW five-eighth Jarome Luai told ESPN the relocation presented the team another challenge to their campaign, but one they have to rise above.
"No excuses here for us, we're going to do what we have to do to turn up," he said.
The Marrons unveiled their 20-man squad for Origin I on Monday as they battle ongoing injury concerns, while the Blues are now in camp at their Sydney base in Coogee.