Tonight, the fiercest rivalry in Australian sport returns as the New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons clash in State of Origin I, live and exclusive across Channel 9HD and 9Now.
The opening match of the 2026 State of Origin series will be played in Sydney on Wednesday, May 27, with the NSW Blues chasing redemption after losing last year’s deciding match on home soil.
The Blues line-up includes Nathan Cleary, James Tedesco, Brian To’o and captain Isaah Yeo, while Queensland enters the contest as reigning champions under coach Billy Slater.
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The Maroons squad features Cameron Munster, Kalyn Ponga, Harry Grant, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and debutant playmaker Sam Walker.
Coverage of the match will be led by James Bracey, alongside rugby league identities Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Phil Gould, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Paul Gallen, Brad Fittler and Sam Thaiday.
Sideline coverage will come from Danika Mason, with analysis from Fittler, Lockyer, Allana Ferguson and Emma Lawrence.
In commentary, Mathew Thompson will call the match with former Origin captains Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith.
The network’s STATE OF ORIGIN COUNTDOWN coverage has also launched on 9Now and 9Go!, streaming continuous Origin matches from Tuesday, May 26 through to kickoff on game day.
Viewers using 9Now will also have access to the platform’s Battle View feature, allowing audiences to watch the main broadcast while simultaneously tracking James Tedesco and Sam Walker on a split-screen stream.
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Pregame coverage will feature a sit-down interview between Cameron Smith and Cameron Munster titled Munster Unplugged, focusing on Munster’s captaincy and the loss of his father ahead of last year’s decider.
Sports broadcaster Ray Warren will also appear in a feature reflecting on the career of James Tedesco in a segment titled Return of a Champion.
Following full-time, viewers will be able to stream a condensed 20-minute mini-match replay on 9Now.
AMPOL State of Origin I – New South Wales v Queensland airs tonight, Wednesday, May 27, live from Accor Stadium on Channel 9HD and 9Now from 7.00pm AEST.
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