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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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State of Origin

State of Origin is an annual best-of-three rugby league series in Australia between representative teams from New South Wales and Queensland.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

State of Origin is an annual best-of-three rugby league series in Australia between representative teams from New South Wales and Queensland. Established in its modern form in 1980 and played as a three-match series since 1982, it is one of the sport’s most prominent events.

History

Interstate rugby league between New South Wales and Queensland dates to 1908. The State of Origin format was introduced to make the contest more competitive and began in 1980, with the annual three-game series becoming established from 1982.

Format and eligibility

State of Origin is played as a best-of-three series, usually in the middle of the rugby league season. Selection historically focused on where a player first played senior rugby league, and later rules also incorporated other eligibility factors such as place of birth and international qualification.

Teams

The two competing sides are New South Wales and Queensland. They are commonly known as the Blues and the Maroons, respectively.

Significance

State of Origin is considered one of the highest-profile events in Australian rugby league. It is known for strong rivalries, large crowds, and high television audiences.

Key facts

  • The contest is between New South Wales and Queensland representative sides.
  • The modern State of Origin concept began in 1980.
  • It became a three-match annual series in 1982.
  • Players are chosen by Origin eligibility rules rather than by club team.
  • The series is widely regarded as one of Australia’s major sporting events.

Frequently asked questions

What is State of Origin?
It is an annual rugby league series between New South Wales and Queensland representative teams in Australia.
When did State of Origin begin?
The modern State of Origin concept began in 1980, and the best-of-three format was established from 1982.
How many games are in the series?
The series is played over three matches.
Who can play State of Origin?
Players must meet Origin eligibility rules, which have historically focused on where they first played senior rugby league and may also involve other factors such as place of birth and international eligibility.
Which states compete?
New South Wales and Queensland compete in State of Origin.
Why is it called State of Origin?
The name refers to selecting players based on their state of origin rather than the club or state where they currently play.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Origin_series
    Supports: Overview of the rugby league State of Origin series, its 1980 start, best-of-three format from 1982, and eligibility criteria.
  2. Rugby League Project — https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/state-of-origin/summary.html
    Supports: Annual three-game series between Queensland and New South Wales and its 1980 origin.
  3. NSWRL — https://www.nswrl.com.au/origin/history/
    Supports: History of interstate rugby league, the 1980 Origin conception, and selection based on state of origin.
  4. BBC Sport — https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/27584764
    Supports: General description of State of Origin, its rivalry, and eligibility concept.