Wally Lewis says the Queensland Rugby League's decision to charge through the nose for State of Origin tickets is nothing short of embarrassing.

Lewis has joined Queensland coach Mal Meninga to attack the price hike, which has left almost 8000 tickets unsold, just a week out from the series opener in Brisbane.

The former Maroons captain and rugby league great says the hike has put Origin matches beyond the reach of many fans.

"A lot of them can't afford to go along to the game," Lewis told ABC's 612 Brisbane radio on Tuesday.

"It's really quite an embarrassing moment for the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) because, if you try and put a finger on the last time a State of Origin game was unable to be sold, you're going back 25 years, minimum."

Meninga had said he hoped the QRL would learn from its mistake.

"You know our blue-collar workers and mums and dads who love the game so much and want to come to Origin, (but) you know we learn our lessons," Meninga said.

"Hopefully we are strong enough to put our hands up and say we are wrong and make it a bit more accessible to our audience for game one and for game three as well."

The cheapest, bronze category tickets valued at $80 have sold out.

Only gold ($210) and silver ($180) category tickets are still available.

AAP/ABC