State of Origin 2026 Schedule: Dates, Kick-off Times, TV Channels for Game 1, 2, 3
The 2026 State of Origin series is just weeks away and fans across Australia are already counting down. The full State of Origin 2026 schedule is now confirmed, covering game dates, kick-off times, venues and where to watch every match live on TV and online.
Here is everything you need to know.
When is the State of Origin 2026?
The 2026 State of Origin series starts on Wednesday, May 27 at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Game 2 heads to the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday, June 17. Game 3 wraps up the series at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday, July 8. All three men’s games kick off at 8:05 pm AEST.
The Women’s State of Origin 2026 has already kicked off. Game 1 was played on April 30 in Newcastle. Game 2 goes to Brisbane on May 14 and Game 3 heads to the Gold Coast on May 28.
There is also an Under-19s double-header on June 18 at North Sydney Oval.
2026 State of Origin Schedule and TV Details
Here is the full match schedule so you can plan ahead.
Men’s State of Origin 2026
| GAME | DATE | TEAMS | VENUE | TIME (AEST) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game I | Wed, May 27 | NSW vs QLD | Accor Stadium, Sydney | 8:05 pm | Channel 9 |
| Game II | Wed, June 17 | QLD vs NSW | MCG, Melbourne | 8:05 pm | Channel 9 |
| Game III | Wed, July 8 | QLD vs NSW | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 8:05 pm | Channel 9 |
Women’s State of Origin 2026
| GAME | DATE | VENUE | TIME (AEST) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game I | Thu, Apr 30 | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle | 7:45 pm | Channel 9 |
| Game II | Thu, May 14 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 7:45 pm | Channel 9 |
| Game III | Thu, May 28 | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast | 7:45 pm | Channel 9 |
Under-19s State of Origin 2026
| GAME | DATE | VENUE | TIME (AEST) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under-19s Women | Thu, June 18 | North Sydney Oval | 5:45 pm | Channel 9 and Fox Sports |
| Under-19s Men | Thu, June 18 | North Sydney Oval | 7:45 pm | Channel 9 and Fox Sports |
2026 Venues: Where are the Games Being Played?
Game 1: Accor Stadium, Sydney (May 27)
Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park holds 83,500 fans. Origin nights here are loud from the first whistle and the Blues will want to make the most of their home ground advantage. Queensland has won plenty of games away from Brisbane though, so do not expect an easy night for the home side.
Game 2: Melbourne Cricket Ground (June 17)
The MCG is hosting State of Origin for the seventh time. It last held the series in 2024 when 90,084 fans packed the stands. Melbourne is a neutral venue for both states and the atmosphere inside the MCG on Origin night is genuinely unlike anything else in rugby league.
Game 3: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (July 8)
Suncorp Stadium is the most intimidating ground in rugby league. Queensland fans fill every seat and the noise builds from the moment the teams run out. NSW has not won a series-clinching match at Suncorp since 2005. Gates open at 6:00 pm and the box office opens at 5:30 pm.
What Time Does State of Origin 2026 Start?
All men’s games kick off at 8:05 pm AEST. Women’s games start at 7:45 pm AEST. Tune in a few minutes early because the ball in play is usually closer to 8:15 pm after the anthem and pre-game ceremonies wrap up.
Here are the kick-off times for key Australian time zones:
| TIME ZONE | KICK-OFF |
|---|---|
| AEST (Sydney, Brisbane) | 8:05 pm |
| ACST (Adelaide) | 7:35 pm |
| AWST (Perth) | 6:05 pm |
What Channel is State of Origin 2026 On?
Every match in the 2026 State of Origin schedule is live and free on Channel 9 across Australia. Stream it for free on 9Now via your phone, tablet or smart TV with no subscription needed.
Foxtel and Kayo Sports carry full coverage including pre-game and post-game shows for pay TV subscribers. Check Kayo.com.au for current pricing and plan options.
Overseas fans can stream every game via Watch NRL, the official international streaming service for the Ampol State of Origin series. US fans can watch on Fox Sports or Fox One. New Zealand fans can use Sky Sport NZ or Sky Sport Now.
Also check: How to Live Stream Stage of Origin 2026
How Does State of Origin Work?
State of Origin is a best-of-three series. The team that wins two games takes the shield. NSW and QLD go head-to-head across three Wednesday nights and the football is faster and more physical than regular NRL club games.
Players get selected based on where they played their first senior rugby league game, not where they were born. That rule is what makes Origin unlike any other representative football competition in the world.
Each game runs for 80 minutes. A try is worth four points, a conversion or penalty goal is two points and a field goal is one point. All three games go ahead regardless of the series result, even after one team wraps up the shield early.
Who Has Won the Most State of Origin Series?
Queensland leads the all-time count heading into 2026 with 25 series wins compared to 17 for New South Wales, with two series drawn. This will be the 45th State of Origin series since the three-game format began in 1982.
Who Won State of Origin in 2025?
Queensland won the 2025 series 2-1 in one of the great Origin comebacks. NSW dominated Game 1 in Brisbane, winning 18-6 at Suncorp Stadium. The Maroons responded in Perth for Game 2, building a 26-6 half-time lead before holding off a furious NSW second-half fightback to win 26-24. Queensland then shut NSW out in the first half of Game 3 in Sydney, leading 20-0 at the break and winning 24-12 to reclaim the shield.
Tom Dearden won the Wally Lewis Medal as Player of the Series despite not playing in Game 1, a remarkable result across Games 2 and 3.
State of Origin 2026 Coaches and Captains
NSW Blues: Laurie Daley returns as head coach with Isaah Yeo as captain. Daley is under pressure to win back the shield after losing the 2025 series.
Queensland Maroons: Billy Slater remains in charge with Cameron Munster as captain, taking over the role from Daly Cherry-Evans. Slater has coached Queensland to series wins in 2022, 2023 and 2025.
State of Origin 2026 Tickets
Tickets for all three men’s games are on sale now via NRL.com/tickets. Games sell out fast at every venue, particularly Game 3 in Brisbane. Travel packages bundling tickets, flights and accommodation are available through official NRL travel partners.
State of Origin 2026 FAQ
Can a player switch states in State of Origin?
No. Once a player represents a state at any level from Under 18s through to senior Origin, that eligibility stays locked for life. There is no switching between NSW and Queensland at any point in a career.
Did the eligibility rules change for 2026?
Yes. The NRL updated the rules in 2026 so players can now represent any nation internationally, including New Zealand, England, Tonga or Samoa, and still be eligible for State of Origin. A player qualifies for a state based on birthplace, where they lived before age 13, or having a parent who played State of Origin.
How many players are in each squad in 2026?
Each team names a 19-man squad with a six-man bench. The 2026 series expanded the bench from the standard four-man bench used in regular NRL club matches, giving coaches more flexibility across 80 minutes.
What is the Wally Lewis Medal?
The Wally Lewis Medal goes to the Player of the Series. A player must appear in at least two of the three matches to be eligible. Since 2004 the award has gone to the best performer from either state, not just Queensland. The medal is named after Wally Lewis, widely regarded as the greatest Origin player of all time.
Is State of Origin 2026 free to watch in Australia?
Yes. Every men’s and women’s match is live and free on Channel 9 and the 9Now streaming app. No subscription needed to watch on 9Now.
Has State of Origin ever been played at the MCG before 2026?
Yes. The MCG is hosting State of Origin for the seventh time in 2026. It last held the series in 2024 with a crowd of 90,084. The all-time MCG attendance record for Origin stands at 91,513, set during the 2015 series.
When do the 2026 State of Origin teams get announced?
Squads are typically named around two weeks before each game. For Game 1 on May 27, both teams are expected to be announced in mid-May 2026. Check NRL.com and the official NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons channels for the latest squad news.
The full State of Origin 2026 schedule runs across three massive Wednesday nights in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Queensland come in as defending champions and NSW are desperate to win back the shield after losing the 2025 series 2-1. Bookmark this page for squad announcements, team updates and match results throughout the series.