The fiercest rivalry in Australian rugby league returns to the field on Wednesday as the men’s State of Origin series begins.
Queensland holds the shield after a remarkable series victory in 2025, when they overcame a Game I defeat in Brisbane to win a Game III decider in Sydney.
Here is what you need to know before kick-off of Game I this Wednesday, May 27.
Where can I watch State of Origin Game I?
The Nine Network has the broadcast rights to the State of Origin series.
Game I will be televised on Channel Nine and streamed online via 9Now.
You can follow the action wherever you are on the ABC Sport live blog.
You can listen to the ABC Sport live call with commentator Andrew Moore, with expert analysis by Luke Lewis, Matthew Elliot and John Gibbs.
What time is State of Origin Game I kick-off?
Here is when the kick-off is scheduled in your location.
8:05pm: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, Papua New Guinea7:35pm: South Australia, Northern Territory6:05pm: Western Australia10:05pm: New Zealand, Fiji11:05pm: Samoa, Tonga12:05am: Cook IslandsWhere is State of Origin Game I being played?
Game I of the series will be held in Sydney at Stadium Australia.
Queensland has enjoyed recent success playing in enemy territory.
The Maroons have won the previous two State of Origin matches at Stadium Australia, a 38-10 win in Game I of 2024 and a famous 24-12 win in the 2025 decider to claim the shield.
Who is playing for the Blues and Maroons?State of Origin I teamsNSW QLDJames Tedesco1Kalyn PongaBrian To’o2Selwyn CobboStephen Crichton3Rob ToiaKotoni Staggs4Hamiso Tabuai-FidowTolutau Koula^5Jojo Fifita^Mitchell Moses6Cameron Munster (C)Nathan Cleary7Sam Walker^Addin Fonua-Blake^8Tom FleglerReece Robson9Harry GrantMitch Barnett10Tino Fa’asuamaleauiHudson Young11Reuben CotterHaumole Olakau’atu12Kurt CapewellIsaah Yeo (C)13Max Plath^Cameron Murray14Briton Nikora^Victor Radley^15Lindsay CollinsJacob Saifiti16Pat CarriganBlayke Brailey17Trent LoieroEthan Strange18Ezra Mam^Casey McLean19Gehamat Shibasaki
* Reserves: NSW — Dylan Lucas; QLD — Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
^ Potential debutant
When and where are the other matches?
Game II: Wednesday, June 17, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Victoria
Game III: Wednesday, July 8, Lang Park, Brisbane, Queensland
When is the Women’s State of Origin?
There is still one match left to play in this year’s Women’s State of Origin series.
NSW has already claimed the shield after two nail-biting wins.
Game I: New South Wales 11-6 QueenslandGame II: New South Wales 14-10 Queensland
The final match of the series will be played at Robina Stadium on Queensland’s Gold Coast on Thursday, May 28, from 7:45pm AEST.