Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls announced a Liberal National Party government would launch a formal bid to get a State of Origin game played at the north Queensland stadium in 2020 or 2021.

"Within the first 100 days, [we] will instruct Tourism and Events Queensland to enter into negotiations to move heaven and earth to get a State of Origin here at the new north Queensland football stadium in Townsville," he said, speaking from Townsville on Wednesday.

The Townsville stadium, due for completion by the start of the 2020 NRL season, will have a capacity of 25,000.

Brisbane's Suncorp stadium had a 52,500 capacity, Sydney ANZ Stadium 83,500, the Melbourne Cricket Ground 100,000 and Melbourne's Etihad Stadium 53,000.

Perth's new stadium, which was yet to be completed, has already been earmarked to host an Origin match and would have a capacity of about 60,000 when it opened.

In response to questions about the smaller size of Townsville, Mr Nicholls admitted the negotiations would be tough.

"That's why the government needs to get in behind it because at 25,000 seats, it's not going to be able to match Sydney or Perth, but we reckon it's worth the fight," he said.

"We want a lot of games for Queensland. So people will still have the opportunity to get a game and see a game down in Brisbane but we want to spread the love and get the game up here."

The clash is watched by more than 3 million Australian viewers on television per game.

Mr Nicholls said the LNP wanted to make sure the Maroons took on the Blues in Townsville regularly.

"We expect it to be really popular and if it is, we'll be going back to make sure it's not just a once-off but it happens up here regularly," he said.

However, the final decision would not ultimately be made by the Queensland government.

The LNP has discussed its plans with the Queensland Rugby League. but not the Australian Rugby League Commission or the National Rugby League.

However, an approach was made to the NRL on Tuesday.

An NRL spokesman said it had not had discussions with the LNP about its Origin plans for Townsville.

But he said the NRL had been in talks with others groups in Townsville that were interested in bringing Origin north, including the council and the North Queensland Cowboys.

The spokesman confirmed there were "a number of restrictions" in bringing Origin to Townsville, including the stadium's 25,000 capacity.

"But we wouldn't rule it out, we're happy to have talks with the government and local groups," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said said a Townsville Origin match would require government support, due reduced ticket sales.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt accused Mr Nicholls of copying a Labor idea and said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had already spoken of her support for an Origin game in north Queensland.

Mr Pitt said it was a good announcement: "It's just a shame that it's not the first time anyone's thought of it."

In May, Ms Palaszczuk told reporters: "If we can get it in Townsville, why not? I'd rather see it there than in another capital city."

The LNP would also promote a rugby league-themed week-long festival and request the Blues and the Maroons be based in cities such as Mackay and Cairns in the lead-up to the game.