State of Origin to return to the AFL in 2026? AFL boss speaks on representative concepts
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon spoke about the future of the State of Origin concept.
www.sportingnews.comHere’s a concise update on State of Origin Game 1 for 2026.
- Date and location: Game 1 is scheduled for May 27, 2026, at Accor Stadium in Sydney. This aligns with the continued NSW home advantage opening the series [source: multiple outlets noting the Sydney opener and venue for 2026].[5]
- Series context: The 2026 series remains a best-of-three format between New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons, with two wins needed to claim the shield. Interest centers on team selections, injury news, and early momentum after the 2025 results.[1][5]
- Key considerations: NSW will aim to start strong on home turf, while Queensland seeks to respond with a competitive lineup and strategy in the opening game.[5]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest team announcements, injury updates, or predicted lineups for Game 1 and present them in a quick summary.