State of Origin Women 2026: Fixtures, Results, Players

For Australian rugby league fans, few rivalries run hotter than State of Origin — and the women’s edition just keeps getting bigger. The 2026 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series drops its three-game schedule across Newcastle, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast starting April 30, pitting the Blues against the Maroons in what’s become one of the most anticipated matchups on the rugby league calendar. Team lists have landed, tickets are live, and the countdown is officially on.

Competing Teams: NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons · Format: Annual rugby league fixture · 2026 Status: Series confirmed · Origin I Teams Named: NSW Blues and QLD Maroons

“Will the Blues Women achieve two consecutive series wins, or will the Maroons take back the shield for the first time since 2024?” — NRL.com official promoter

Women’s State of Origin 2026

The 2026 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series consists of three matches between Blues Women (NSW) and Maroons (QLD), according to NRL.com official tickets page (the official league body). The schedule alternates between NSW and QLD venues, with the Blues hosting the opener at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on April 30. The series schedule was announced on November 12, 2025, according to Wikipedia series overview, with Game 2 shifting to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and Game 3 wrapping up on the Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium.

Team Lists for Game 1

Team lists for the 2026 series have been released, including players for both Blues and Maroons, per League Unlimited specialist team lists report (rugby league specialist outlet). The Blues squad reportedly includes Ellie Johnston at position 11, Tiana Penitani also listed at 11, Yasmin Clydsdale at 12, and Olivia Kernick at 13. The Maroons squad features Jada Ferguson at 10, Jessika Elliston also at 10, Sienna Lofipo at 11, Romy Teitzel at 12, and Keilee Joseph at 13. The Blues extended squad includes reserves like Kezie Apps, Teagan Berry, and Corban Baxter, according to the same League Unlimited report. On the Maroons side, reserves include Emma Manzelmann, Otesa Pule, and Chelsea Lenarduzzi.

Series Confirmation

The Blues Women are aiming for two consecutive series wins after previous success, and the Maroons are determined to reclaim the shield for the first time since 2024, according to NRL.com official tickets page (the official promoter). The regional spread of venues—Newcastle for Game 1 and two Queensland locations for Games 2 and 3—reflects the NRL’s effort to grow the women’s game beyond traditional strongholds.

“Get the teamlists and officials as they come to hand for the 2026 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series.” — Andrew Jackson, League Unlimited reporter

State of Origin Women Fixtures

The full fixture list places all three games on Thursday nights, with 7:45pm AEST kickoffs (accounting for NSW, QLD, VIC, and ACT time zones), according to League Unlimited specialist coverage (specialist coverage). All matches broadcast live on the Nine Network and 9Now, ensuring broad accessibility across eastern Australia.

2026 Draw

The official NRL draw integrates women’s Origin fixtures into the broader 2026 calendar, which also includes men’s Origin and the NRLW Telstra Women’s Premiership, according to NRL.com official draw page (official draw page). The women’s Origin series precedes the NRLW regular season, creating a packed mid-year schedule that runs from late April through May before the club competition takes over.

NRL Schedule

The NRLW 2026 season kicks off on Thursday, July 2, with Sharks vs Knights at Sharks Stadium at 7:45pm, according to Rugby League Zone NRLW coverage (NRLW coverage specialist). The season includes 30 double-header fixtures, only three five-day turnarounds across all teams, and a Magic Round at Geohex Park in Wagga Wagga during Round 5.

“After another record-breaking season for women’s Rugby League, the highly anticipated 2026 season schedule includes 30 double-header fixtures.” — NRL.com official schedule release

State of Origin Women Results

No results are available yet for the 2026 Women’s State of Origin series, as Game 1 remains upcoming on April 30, according to Flashscore fixtures tracker (fixtures tracker). This is standard for pre-event coverage — the historical record between these two sides provides context, but actual 2026 outcomes won’t be determined until the games are played.

Recent Game Outcomes

The Maroons last won the women’s Origin shield in 2024, per NRL.com official tickets page, meaning the Blues will be defending a recent series victory when Game 1 kicks off in Newcastle. The series format—three matches across three venues—creates a best-of-three format where any team winning two games claims the series outright.

Game 2 Highlights

What to watch for in Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium: the Maroons will host with the opportunity to take a 1-0 lead if they win the opener. The Queensland venue has historically drawn large crowds for Origin matches, and the women’s edition has consistently filled stadiums since its growth in recent years.

The catch: with no official results archive yet published for 2026, fans relying on quick-reference sites may find delays in updated scores. Checking NRL.com directly remains the most reliable approach.

State of Origin Women Players

The named squads for Origin I represent the peak of women’s rugby league talent in Australia. Key players to watch include those in leadership positions—players at 10, 11, 12, and 13 typically anchor a team’s structure and strategy.

NSW Blues Women Team

The Westpac NSW Blues Women named for Origin I feature a blend of experience and emerging talent, with position-by-position listings available via League Unlimited team lists report and NRL.com home. The squad composition reflects the depth of the NRLW player pool, with each player selected based on club performance during the lead-up season.

Key Players Named

For the Blues, the spine runs through players listed in the halves and at fullback, though specific positional breakdowns continue to be refined as match approaches. The Maroons counter with their own leadership structure, anchored by experienced players who featured in the 2024 series victory.

Women’s State of Origin History

The Women’s State of Origin series has grown from exhibition matches into a established three-game fixture on the rugby league calendar. The annual format sees NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons compete across consecutive Thursdays in mid-year, with venues rotating between the states.

Series Overview

According to Wikipedia series overview (secondary reference), the women’s Origin format mirrors the men’s in structure — a three-match series determining the champion state. The rivalry between NSW and QLD in any Origin format carries significant pride, and the women’s edition has accumulated its own competitive history since gaining official status.

Annual Fixture Details

The NRLW Telstra Women’s Premiership runs after Origin concludes, with the 2026 season starting July 2 and featuring 30 double-header fixtures, per NRL.com NRLW schedule release (official schedule). This sequencing means players transition directly from interstate competition to club football, with limited rest between formats — a demanding schedule that underscores the professionalization of women’s rugby league.

The trade-off: the compressed calendar between Origin and NRLW offers maximum visibility for the women’s game, but places physical demands on athletes who may feature in both series and club matches.

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Related coverage: 2025 Women’s State of Origin recap fördjupar bilden av Women’s State of Origin 2025 – Complete Series Recap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related reading

• NRL.com Official Tickets — Purchase tickets for 2026 Women’s State of Origin games
• NRL.com 2026 NRLW Schedule — Full NRLW season fixtures and format details
• League Unlimited Team Lists — Complete squad listings for Origin I
• Wikipedia 2026 Women’s State of Origin — Series overview and historical context