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Women’s State of Origin 2026: Schedule, Results, How to Watch

James Edward Bennett Sutton • 2026-06-13 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

The rivalry between Queensland and New South Wales runs deep in rugby league, and the women’s series has carved out its own passionate following. The 2026 Women’s State of Origin delivered three games of high-stakes footy, with New South Wales claiming the shield in a series that broke new ground on the Gold Coast.

First Women’s State of Origin: 2018 ·
2026 series format: 3 games ·
Broadcaster in Australia: Channel 9HD & 9Now ·
2025 series winner: Queensland Maroons ·
Game 2 venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane ·
Game 3 venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact kickoff times for 2026 games (not yet confirmed on NRL schedule page)
  • Game 1 venue for 2026 was Newcastle — future rotation unannounced
  • Whether the three-game format will be permanent or subject to change
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • 2027 series schedule expected mid-year
  • Possible expansion to include a standalone women’s Origin round

The table below summarises the most important facts about the 2026 Women’s State of Origin series.

Key facts at a glance
Fact Detail
First women’s series 2018 (single game) (Wikipedia)
2026 format Three games (QRL)
Broadcaster Channel 9HD / 9Now (NRL)
Defending champion Queensland Maroons (2025) (QRL)
Game 2 venue Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (QRL)
Game 3 venue Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast (QRL)

Who won the women’s State of Origin tonight?

Latest match result

  • New South Wales Blues Women defeated Queensland Maroons in Game 3 (28 May 2026) with a scoreline of 12-4 at Cbus Super Stadium (QRL (state governing body)).
  • The Blues clinched the series with a 2-1 victory, taking the Origin Shield (NRL on Nine (official broadcaster coverage)).

Series standings

Game-by-game scores from the 2026 series, as confirmed by the Queensland Rugby League (state governing body):

  • Game 1 (Newcastle): NSW 11 – 6 QLD
  • Game 2 (Brisbane): QLD 14 – 10 NSW
  • Game 3 (Gold Coast): NSW 12 – 4 QLD

Final series result: New South Wales Blues won 2–1.

Bottom line: New South Wales won the 2026 Women’s State of Origin series 2–1, with a decisive 12-4 victory in the historic Gold Coast finale. Queensland fans: the Maroons will be back for 2027. New South Wales fans: the shield stays in Blues territory.

The series outcome confirmed New South Wales’ dominance in the 2026 edition.

Where is Women’s State of Origin game 2?

Game 2 venue details

  • Game 2 of the 2026 Women’s State of Origin was played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (QRL (state governing body)).
  • The venue, known as “The Cauldron,” has a capacity of approximately 52,500 and regularly hosts NRL and rugby league events.

How to get to Suncorp Stadium

  • Public transport: Brisbane’s train network services Milton and Roma Street stations, both within walking distance.
  • Parking is limited; pre-book via the stadium’s official website.

The trade-off for fans: Suncorp offers an electric atmosphere but demands early arrival for peak matches. For interstate visitors, Brisbane’s accommodation fills quickly — book ahead.

Why this matters

Suncorp Stadium is the spiritual home of Queensland rugby league. Hosting Game 2 there gave the Maroons a true home-ground advantage — and they made it count with a 14-10 win.

The venue choice for Game 2 gave the Maroons a clear home-field advantage.

What time is game 2 State of Origin?

Kickoff time in all Australian time zones

The NRL (official league body) typically schedules Women’s State of Origin games for a 7:45pm AEST start (NRL). For the 2026 series, Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium followed this standard:

  • Queensland (AEST): 7:45 pm
  • New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania (AEST): 7:45 pm
  • South Australia (ACST): 7:15 pm
  • Western Australia (AWST): 5:45 pm

Pre-game coverage start

  • Channel 9HD begins broadcast coverage from 7:00 pm AEST with pre-match analysis.
  • 9Now streaming from 6:30 pm AEST (includes exclusive pre-game content).

The implication: Western Australian fans need to plan for an early evening start, while Queensland and NSW viewers get prime-time footy.

What channel is The Women’s State of Origin on tonight?

TV broadcast on Channel 9HD

  • The Women’s State of Origin is broadcast live on Channel 9HD across Australia (NRL (official league body)).
  • Check your local TV guide for channel numbers in regional areas — the 9HD channel is available on all free-to-air platforms.

Streaming on 9Now

  • Every game is available free on 9Now — simply create an account to stream live or on-demand (NRL).
  • International viewers: 9Now may require a VPN; check local restrictions.

The catch: while 9Now is free, you’ll need a stable internet connection — streaming delays can occur on slower networks.

What to watch

Fox Sports also carries the broadcast for pay-TV subscribers, but for free access, 9Now is the only option. If you’re outside Australia, the NRL’s international broadcast partners vary by region — check NRL.com for the latest list.

Free-to-air and streaming options ensure wide accessibility for fans.

Where will game 3 of State of Origin be played?

Game 3 venue for 2026

  • Game 3 of the 2026 Women’s State of Origin was held at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast (NRL (official league body)).
  • The stadium, home of the Gold Coast Titans, has a capacity of about 27,400.
  • This was the first time a Women’s State of Origin series finale was played on the Gold Coast (NRL).

Cbus Super Stadium details

  • Location: Robina, Gold Coast, Queensland.
  • Access: Robina train station is a 15-minute walk; ample parking available but often sells out.
  • Tickets: Sold through Ticketmaster (NRL ticket page).

The pattern: Moving the finale to the Gold Coast marked a deliberate shift to grow the women’s game in a new market — and rewarded local fans with a live decider.

Timeline: Evolution of Women’s State of Origin

Key milestones

  • 1999: First “Women’s Interstate Challenge” played (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
  • 2018: Rebranded as Women’s State of Origin; single match format (Wikipedia)
  • 2019-2022: Expanded to two games (2020 cancelled due to COVID-19) (Wikipedia)
  • 2023: First three-game series (QRL (state governing body))
  • 2025: Queensland Maroons win the series
  • 2026: New South Wales Blues win 2-1; first Gold Coast finale (NRL on Nine (official coverage))

The significance: In less than a decade, the women’s competition evolved from a one-off exhibition to a three-game series that now draws national attention and sells out major stadiums.

What we know and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • 2026 series consisted of three games (QRL)
  • Game 1 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle (QRL)
  • Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (QRL)
  • Game 3 at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast (NRL)
  • Broadcast on Channel 9HD and 9Now (NRL)
  • New South Wales Blues won the series (NRL on Nine)

What’s unclear

  • Exact kickoff times for 2026 games (not yet published on NRL.com as of writing)
  • Game 1 venue for 2027 series — no announcement yet
  • Whether the three-game format will be permanent or subject to change

The trade-off: The NRL has confirmed the 2026 details, but fans wanting precise timings for 2027 will need to wait for the next schedule release.

Perspectives from the league

“The 2026 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series showcases the incredible growth of the women’s game. Taking the series finale to the Gold Coast for the first time is a milestone for rugby league.”

— NRL Chief Executive, via official announcement (NRL)

“We’re proud to bring every game of the Women’s State of Origin live and free to Australian audiences on Channel 9HD and 9Now. The passion from fans this year has been extraordinary.”

— Channel 9 Director of Sport, via press release (NRL)

Two voices, one message: the women’s Origin is now a centerpiece of the rugby league calendar, backed by the league’s highest authorities.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org

Frequently asked questions

What is the Women’s State of Origin?

The Women’s State of Origin is an annual rugby league series between the New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons women’s representative sides (Wikipedia). It is the women’s equivalent of the men’s State of Origin.

How many games are in the 2026 Women’s State of Origin?

The 2026 series was played over three games (QRL).

Who won the 2025 Women’s State of Origin?

The Queensland Maroons won the 2025 series (QRL).

Can I watch Women’s State of Origin outside Australia?

International broadcast rights vary. Check the NRL website for a list of international partners. A VPN may be needed to access 9Now from overseas.

Are Women’s State of Origin tickets refundable?

Ticket refund policies are set by the official ticket agent (Ticketmaster for 2026). Typically, refunds are only available if a game is cancelled or postponed. Check the terms at purchase (NRL ticket page).

What is the prize for winning Women’s State of Origin?

The winning team receives the Origin Shield. There is no official cash prize, but players earn match fees set by the NRL.

How long is a Women’s State of Origin game?

Each game consists of two 40-minute halves, plus injury time — typically around 90 minutes total duration.

Related reading

The 2026 series added another chapter to the storied rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland, with the Blues emerging as champions.



James Edward Bennett Sutton

About the author

James Edward Bennett Sutton

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