Latest News About When Is State Of Origin 2026

Here’s the latest on State of Origin 2026.

• The 2026 Ampol State of Origin series is scheduled to begin in late May 2026, with the first game set to be played at Accor Stadium in Sydney on May 27, 2026. This marks the return of Origin to Sydney to open the series, followed by a Melbourne-hosted middle game and then a Brisbane-decider, continuing the traditional three-match format.[2][6]
• The series will feature both the men’s and women’s games, with the women’s clash scheduled for the Gold Coast as part of the expanded schedule announced for 2026, alongside the men’s matches in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This aligns with the broader push to elevate the women’s Origin under the same umbrella as the men’s series.[4][8][9]
• Player eligibility rules for Origin reportedly underwent changes ahead of the 2026 season, potentially allowing players who previously aligned with other national teams to be considered for Origin if they meet the new development criteria. This could affect team selections and selection discussions ahead of Game 1.[3][5]

Illustration: A three-match series layout remains: Game 1 in Sydney, Game 2 in Melbourne, Game 3 in Brisbane (with the potential for a decider in Brisbane if needed). This setup is consistent with recent announcements about venues and dates for 2026.[6][2]

If you’d like, I can pull the exact fixture dates for all three games and the venues for the women’s Origin as soon as you confirm you want a concise schedule list. I can also summarize the latest team news and notable eligibility changes for NSW and Queensland.

Citations:

• 2026 Origin schedule and first game date in Sydney May 27, 2026.[2][6]
• Inclusion of women’s Origin on the Gold Coast and schedule expansion.[8][9][4]
• Eligibility rule changes impacting Origin selections for 2026.[5][3]