State of Origin Game 1 2026: Date, Results, Tickets

Australia’s fiercest rugby league rivalry returns to the sporting calendar in 2026, with the opening chapter set to unfold at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Wednesday, 27 May. The New South Wales Blues host the Queensland Maroons in what has become one of the country’s most anticipated sporting events each year. In the most recent Game 1 encounter, the Blues claimed a decisive 18–6 victory at Suncorp Stadium, though Queensland rallied to win the series in their dramatic final clash.

2026 Date: Wednesday 27th May · Teams: NSW Blues vs QLD Maroons · Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney · 2025 Result: Blues 18-6 Maroons · Kick Off: 8:05 PM AEST

What date is State of Origin game 1?

The 2026 Ampol State of Origin series opener is locked in for Wednesday, 27 May 2026 at Accor Stadium, Sydney. The NRL officially released the full men’s and women’s fixture calendar earlier in the year, confirming Sydney as the host city for Game 1. According to ECAL, “The 2026 Ampol State of Origin Series schedule has officially dropped, with three massive clashes set to ignite stadiums across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.”

2026 Schedule

The men’s series follows a consistent mid-year window, with all three matches scheduled on Wednesday evenings. Women’s State of Origin opens its expanded three-match series earlier, beginning 30 April 2026 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. Both series operate under the best-of-three format where the team winning two or more matches claims the shield.

Men’s Game 1: 27 May 2026 — Accor Stadium, Sydney
Men’s Game 2: 17 June 2026 — MCG, Melbourne
Men’s Game 3: 8 July 2026 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Historical Dates

State of Origin Game 1 traditionally falls in late May or early June, aligning with the NRL season’s representative period. The 2025 opener occurred on Wednesday 28 May at Suncorp Stadium, while the 2024 series began 5 June at Melbourne’s Accor Stadium. This consistent timing has established Game 1 as a mid-year anchor on the Australian sporting calendar.

The pattern holds: Sydney hosts the series opener in 2026, granting NSW home-ground advantage for the first leg. The QRL confirms that the series “opens in Sydney for Blues home advantage in Game 1.”

Who won the 1st game of State of Origin?

The most recent Game 1 result came from the 2025 series, where the NSW Blues defeated the Queensland Maroons 18–6 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. The match featured a Zac Lomax double as the Blues built a commanding 18-0 lead before Queensland crossed for a late try. According to Wikipedia’s State of Origin series records, this result set up what would become a thrilling series that Queensland ultimately claimed.

2025 Result

Despite the Blues’ Game 1 victory, Queensland rallied to win the 2025 series with a 24–12 triumph in Game 3 at Suncorp Stadium. This dramatic turnaround is common in State of Origin series, where momentum often shifts between the two powerhouse teams. The 2025 result is documented across multiple sources including Wikipedia and official NRL match records.

Past Winners

Series results from the past five years show the rivalry’s competitive balance. The NSW Blues won the 2024 series with victories in Melbourne and Brisbane, while Queensland claimed both 2023 and 2025 titles. The women’s series has expanded to three matches in 2026, with Queensland historically dominating the women’s State of Origin contests.

The historical record reveals that NSW achieved its largest-ever Game 1 margin in 1994, defeating Queensland 50–6 at the Sydney Football Stadium, though that result originates from historical archives with lower verification confidence.

State of Origin Game 1 tickets

Tickets for the 2026 Ampol State of Origin Game 1 are available through the official NRL.com platform. The governing body encourages fans to “secure your seats today” as the event draws closer. Hospitality packages and travel options are also available through authorized providers for those seeking premium experiences.

2026 Tickets

Official ticket sales for Game 1 2026 are managed directly through NRL.com’s dedicated Origin ticket page. The site features the full Ampol State of Origin ticket inventory including general admission and premium seating options.

Accor Stadium, Sydney’s primary rugby league venue, typically hosts crowds exceeding 80,000 for major State of Origin encounters. The stadium’s proximity to the CBD and public transport links make it a convenient location for fans traveling from across New South Wales and beyond.

Hospitality Options

Beyond standard ticketing, several authorized hospitality providers offer packages for Game 1 attendees. The Rugby League Experience provides combined ticket and travel packages for those seeking a structured matchday experience. Sportsnet Holidays offers hospitality options for the Brisbane-hosted Game 3, including accommodation bundles.

These premium options typically include stadium access, dining experiences, and official merchandise, targeting corporate clients and fans seeking enhanced matchday comfort. Standard tickets through NRL.com remain the most accessible option for general admission seating.

State of Origin Game 1 2026 line up

The 2026 men’s State of Origin series will feature the NSW Blues against the QLD Maroons in what promises to be another fiercely contested three-match series. While final squad selections remain pending as the May fixture approaches, both teams will draw from their respective NRL club pools to assemble representative lineups.

Teams

The NSW Blues will host at Accor Stadium in Game 1, continuing the established tradition of alternating venue hosting rights between states. The QRL confirms that Queensland travels south for the Sydney opener before returning home for potential Game 3 fixtures at Suncorp Stadium.

Women’s State of Origin expands to three matches in 2026, with Queensland hosting two home games at Suncorp Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. New South Wales hosts Women’s Game 1 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on 30 April, marking one of the few times the women’s series opens in NSW.

Key Players

Both teams historically field their strongest available players for State of Origin selection, regardless of club affiliation. The selection criteria—requiring players to have originated in the state they represent—ensures each team features players with genuine connections to their respective state.

Without confirmed 2026 squad announcements, key player analysis remains speculative. Past series have featured marquee talents like NSW’s Latrell Mitchell and Queensland’s Cameron Munster, though team compositions shift annually based on form, injuries, and availability. NRL.com’s match centre will update with official squad announcements as the fixture approaches.

State of origin game 1 results

No results are available for the 2026 Game 1 as it remains a future event scheduled for 27 May 2026. The NRL draw currently lists the fixture with a 0-0 score, indicating pre-event status. Live scores and results tracking will become available through Flashscore and official NRL platforms once the matchday arrives.

Recent Game

The most recent completed Game 1 was the 2025 fixture, which concluded with NSW Blues defeating Queensland 18–6 at Suncorp Stadium. The result gave the Blues early series momentum before Queensland’s eventual series victory. Historical Game 1 results from the past decade show relatively even split outcomes between the two teams.

For fans seeking live updates during the 27 May 2026 fixture, Flashscore provides real-time scoring through their dedicated State of Origin league page. The NRL Match Centre offers official match statistics and play-by-play content following each game.

Full Time Scores

2025 Game 1: NSW Blues 18 defeated QLD Maroons 6 (Suncorp Stadium, 28 May 2025)
2024 Game 1: NSW Blues 38 defeated QLD Maroons 18 (MCG, 5 June 2024)
2023 Game 1: QLD Maroons 15 defeated NSW Blues 13 (Suncorp Stadium, 31 May 2023)

The historical pattern reveals that home venue advantage significantly influences Game 1 outcomes, with the hosting team winning the majority of contests. This bodes well for NSW’s 2026 prospects given Accor Stadium’s Sydney location.

The 2026 State of Origin timeline

The 2026 State of Origin calendar spans from April through July, with both men’s and women’s series operating concurrently. The women’s series begins first on 30 April in Newcastle, followed by the men’s series opener on 27 May in Sydney. The series concludes with men’s Game 3 on 8 July in Brisbane.

The three-city progression—Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane—follows the traditional representative round format that maximizes attendance across Australia’s major rugby league markets. For fans in Melbourne, the MCG fixture on 17 June represents a rare opportunity to witness State of Origin without traveling to NSW or Queensland.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Several elements of the 2026 State of Origin series are locked in, while others remain pending confirmation from official sources. This section separates confirmed facts from outstanding questions to help fans plan accordingly.

What this means: The core fixture details are settled and verifiable through official sources. Fans can confidently purchase tickets knowing the date, venue, and matchup. However, squad composition and granular matchday details will emerge as the May fixture date approaches.

“The 2026 Ampol State of Origin Series schedule has officially dropped, with three massive clashes set to ignite stadiums across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.”

— ECAL Event Calendar Publisher

“Gear up for the return of Australia’s greatest sporting rivalry.”

— NRL.com (Official NRL Site)

Related reading: Wallabies vs Argentina 2024 results

While Game 1 heads to Accor Stadium on 27 May, the 2026 series venues and dates spread the action across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Frequently asked questions

For fans planning ahead, the 2026 Ampol State of Origin series offers three compelling matchups across Australia’s premier rugby league venues. The rivalry shows no signs of losing intensity as both states prepare for another chapter in Australia’s most celebrated sporting contest.