The State Of Origin Fixtures & Draw for 2018 saw Melbourne host the first game of the series, which was won 22-12 by New South Wales. Game 2 will see Sydney host a standalone weekend game, before Queensland hosts the third game of the series.
The idea of a standalone Origin match has been floated for many years, but with the new TV deal and an NRL representative weekend in need of filling, Origin has been placed in the primetime spot of 8pm (AEST) on Sunday evening.
The other two games will retain their usual Wednesday night spot on June 6 and July 11.
2018 State of Origin fixtures
| Date | Time (AEST) | Home | Away | Venue | |
| Game 1 | Wed Jun 6 | 8:00 PM | Queensland Maroons | New South Wales Blues | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| Game 2 | Sun Jun 24 | 7:40 PM | New South Wales Blues | Queensland Maroons | ANZ Stadium, Homebush |
| Game 3 | Wed Jul 11 | 8:00 PM | Queensland Maroons | New South Wales Blues | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
**Important note – while the State of Origin kick-off time is always scheduled for 8:00pm, the actual start time is often far later. The exact kick-off time, after the Australian national anthem is performed, and TV specials are completed, is usually closer to 8:20pm. Origins 1 and 2 in 2015, for example, both kicked off at 8:22pm AEST, however in 2017 the kick-off times were earlier – 8:16, 8:15 and 8:13 across the three matches respectively.
» New South Wales Blues Origin 2 team: expert reaction
» Queensland Maroons Origin 2 team: expert reaction
Future State of Origin venues
2019
The first game away from the eastern seaboard will be played in 2019 when the new 60,000-seat Perth Stadium hosts Game 2 of the series.
2020
The NRL have announced another game will be played away from the three eastern states in 2020 when the Adelaide Oval hosts its first ever Origin game. It will be either Game 1 or Game 2 of the series.
2017 State of Origin fixtures
The 2017 series saw saw the Queensland Maroons defeat the New South Wales Blues two games to one to claim the Origin shield for 2017.
Origin Game One: Queensland vs NSW – Wednesday, 31 May 2017, 8.00pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane: NSW Blues 28 defeated Queensland Maroons 4
Origin Game Two: NSW vs Queensland – Wednesday, 21 June 2017, 8.00pm AEST – ANZ Stadium, Sydney: Queensland Maroons 18 defeated NSW Blues 16
Origin Game Three: Queensland vs NSW – Wednesday 12 July 2017, 8.00pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane: Queensland Maroons 22 defeated NSW Blues 6
Games for 2017 had a scheduled kick-off time of 8:00pm AEST, but kicked off far later, with games starting at 8:16, 8:15 and 8:13 for games 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
2016 Origin fixtures:
Origin Game One: NSW vs Queensland – Wednesday, 1 June 2016, ANZ Stadium, Sydney: Queensland 6 defeated New South Wales 4
Origin Game Two: Queensland vs NSW – Wednesday, 22 June 2016, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane: Queensland 26 defeated New South Wales 16
Origin Game Three: NSW vs Queensland – Wednesday 13 July 2017, ANZ Stadium, Sydney: New South Wales 18 defeated Queensland 14
Each Origin series sees either New South Wales Blues or Queensland Maroons play two of the series’ three games at their home ground. 2015 saw the return of Origin football to the MCG, where there was one game. A game in Melbourne has also been confirmed for the 2018 series.
In 2014, Queensland entered the series having won the last eight on the trot, and had the advantage with two matches played at Suncorp Stadium, the home of the Maroons. Nonetheless, the Blues triumphed, with two close wins in the first two games to take the series. The Maroons recaptured the trophy in 2015, earning their ninth win in ten seasons, and followed it up with another series win in 2016.
