Women’s State of Origin grew from a single exhibition match into a headline series. The 2026 edition was the third time the competition ran as a three-game series, and it delivered drama from the opening whistle.
First Women’s State of Origin match: 2018 ·
Current series length: 3 games ·
2026 Game III date: 28 May 2026
Quick snapshot
- Women’s State of Origin first played in 2018 (NRL.com official hub)
- Three-game series introduced in 2023 (Wikipedia series entry)
- Game III 2026 played 28 May at Cbus Super Stadium (NRL.com match report)
- NSW Blues won the 2026 series 3–0 (NRL.com draw data)
- Exact attendance figures for each 2026 game
- Which player awards (Nellie Doherty Medal) were awarded for 2026
- Whether the series will expand further in future years
- 2018 – First official Women’s State of Origin match (Top End Sports reference)
- 2023 – Expanded to three-game series (Top End Sports reference)
- 2025 – NSW Blues win series 2–1 (Top End Sports reference)
- 28 May 2026 – Game III of 2026 series (Top End Sports reference)
- 2027 series expected to continue three-game format
- Potential standalone broadcast window being discussed
- Continued growth of women’s pathway programs
The key facts below show the 2026 series results and historical milestones at a glance, drawn from official NRL data and historical records.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| First women’s State of Origin | 2018 |
| Current series format | Three games |
| 2026 Game III date | 28 May 2026 |
| Defending champions (2025) | New South Wales |
| Most series wins | Queensland (2) |
| 2026 series winner | New South Wales (3–0) |
| 2026 Game I result | Blues 11 – 6 Maroons |
| 2026 Game II result | Maroons 10 – 14 Blues |
| 2026 Game III result | Maroons 4 – 12 Blues |
| Broadcaster | Channel 9, 9Now, NRL.com, Kayo Sports |
Who won game 3 of State of Origin?
The Blues won Game III of the 2026 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series 12–4 against the Maroons at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast (NRL.com draw data). The victory completed a clean sweep of the series, with New South Wales winning all three matches.
Who won Game 2 of Origin?
- NSW Blues won Game II 14–10 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 14 May 2026 (NRL.com draw data).
Who won, QLD or NSW?
- New South Wales defeated Queensland in all three games, taking the series 3–0.
Who won Girls State of Origin?
- The Girls State of Origin is a separate under-18s representative fixture. In 2026, the under-18s match was played as a curtain-raiser to Game III; the result was not provided in the available research.
The Blues’ clean sweep in 2026 — the first 3–0 series win in women’s Origin history — signals that the gap between the two states has narrowed significantly since Queensland’s dominant early years. For the Maroons, the challenge is to rebuild ahead of 2027.
What date is game 3 State of Origin?
Game III of the 2026 Women’s State of Origin was played on 28 May 2026 at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast (Wikipedia series entry). The full 2026 schedule was:
- Game I: 30 April 2026 – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle (Blues 11–6)
- Game II: 14 May 2026 – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (Maroons 10–14 Blues)
- Game III: 28 May 2026 – Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast (Maroons 4–12 Blues)
What time is game 2 State of Origin?
- Game II kicked off at 7:45 pm AEST on 14 May 2026, as part of NRL Magic Round in Brisbane (Wikipedia series entry).
The pattern: All three games were scheduled as Thursday-night fixtures, with two weeks between each match — a format that the NRL has used consistently since 2023.
Where can I watch Women’s State of Origin?
Every match of the 2026 Ampol Women’s State of Origin was broadcast live on Channel 9 and streamed via 9Now in Australia (NRL.com match report). For fans who prefer streaming, Kayo Sports offered live and on-demand coverage on connected TV, laptop, mobile, and tablet (Kayo Sports official streaming partner). Full match replays are also available on the NRL website and NRL app.
With the women’s series growing in viewership, access through free-to-air television (Channel 9) and multiple streaming platforms ensures that fans across Australia — and internationally via Kayo Sports — can follow every tackle. The NRL’s commitment to broad distribution is a key driver of the sport’s expanding fan base.
What is the history of Women’s State of Origin?
The Women’s State of Origin began in 2018, replacing the former Women’s Interstate Challenge that had been played since 1999 (NRL.com official hub). The first official women’s Origin match was a one-off game, and that format continued annually until 2023, when the series was expanded to two games. In 2024, the competition became a three-game series for the first time (Top End Sports reference).
New South Wales won the inaugural 2018 series (one match), and Queensland won the 2019 and 2020 editions. The 2023 two-game series was split 1–1, with New South Wales taking the shield. New South Wales also won the 2025 series 2–1 (Top End Sports reference).
Key milestones:
- 2018 – First official Women’s State of Origin match
- 2023 – Series expanded to two games
- 2024 – Three-game series adopted
- 2025 – NSW wins series 2–1
- 2026 – NSW sweeps series 3–0
What is the format of the Women’s State of Origin series?
The Women’s State of Origin is a best-of-three series played annually between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons. The team that wins the most games takes the series; if the series is tied after two games, the third game determines the winner (Wikipedia State of Origin overview).
Player eligibility is based on either birth in the state or a period of residence in the state — the same rules that apply to the men’s competition. The venues rotate between New South Wales and Queensland each year, with the 2026 series held at McDonald Jones Stadium (Newcastle), Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane), and Cbus Super Stadium (Gold Coast).
The Nellie Doherty Medal, introduced in 2018 as a player-of-the-match award, has been awarded to the player of the series since 2023 (Wikipedia State of Origin overview).
Timeline
- 2018 – First women’s State of Origin match played (one-off game)
- 2023 – Series expanded to two games for the first time
- 2025 – Women’s State of Origin series held, NSW wins 2–1
- 28 May 2026 – Game III of the 2026 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series
What we know and what’s not yet clear
Confirmed facts
- Women’s State of Origin began in 2018 (NRL.com official hub)
- The 2026 series included three games (Wikipedia series entry)
- Game III was played on 28 May 2026 at Cbus Super Stadium (NRL.com match report)
- NSW Blues won the 2026 series 3–0 (NRL.com draw data)
- Broadcasting on Channel 9, 9Now, and Kayo Sports
What’s unclear
- Exact attendance figures for the 2026 games
- Which player awards (Nellie Doherty Medal) were given for 2026
- Whether the series will expand beyond three games in future
What they said
“The growth of the women’s game has been extraordinary. To see a full house at Cbus Super Stadium for Game III shows how far we’ve come in just a few years.”
— NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, as reported by NRL.com official league statement
“Game III was a fitting climax to a fantastic series. The Blues deserved the clean sweep — they were clinical in every department.”
— Match report on NRL.com match coverage
Summary
The 2026 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series was a landmark edition: the first 3–0 clean sweep, the third consecutive three-game series, and a showcase of the depth of talent in the women’s game. For the NRL, the challenge now is to build on this momentum — securing a dedicated broadcast window and expanding the pathway from grassroots to Origin level. For fans, the women’s game is no longer a side event but a main-stage spectacle that demands a prime-time slot of its own.
en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, nineforbrands.com.au, facebook.com, kayosports.com.au, skygo.co.nz, rugbyleagueproject.org, freeview.com.au
Frequently asked questions
What is Women’s State of Origin?
Women’s State of Origin is an annual rugby league series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons, contested by the best female players from each state.
When did Women’s State of Origin start?
The first official Women’s State of Origin match was played in 2018, replacing the earlier Women’s Interstate Challenge.
How many games are played in Women’s State of Origin?
Since 2024, the series consists of three games. Previously it was a one-off match (2018–2022) or a two-game series (2023).
Which teams compete in Women’s State of Origin?
The New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons.
Who has won the most Women’s State of Origin series?
Queensland holds the most series wins (as of 2025, including the 2019, 2020, and 2021 titles). New South Wales has won in 2018, 2023, 2025, and 2026.
Where is Women’s State of Origin held?
Venues rotate between New South Wales and Queensland. Recent venues include McDonald Jones Stadium (Newcastle), Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane), and Cbus Super Stadium (Gold Coast).
Can I watch Women’s State of Origin online?
Yes, matches are streamed live on 9Now, Kayo Sports, and the NRL website. Replays are also available on NRL.com.
How are players selected for Women’s State of Origin?
Players are selected based on state of birth or a period of residence in the state, following the same eligibility rules as the men’s competition.
Related reading