Women’s State of Origin double header debut goes to Sydney and Townsville

Sydney and Townsville have been named as hosts for the inaugural National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) Ampol Women’s State of Origin Series double header.

The first ever two-match series between New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons will be played in June and hosted by Sydney’s CommBank Stadium and Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

The first game will be held on the evening of Thursday, June 1 at the 30,000-capacity CommBank Stadium, which is home to four NRL teams including South Sydney Rabbitohs. The reverse fixture will be played on Thursday, June 22 at the 25,000-capacity QCB Stadium, home of North Queensland Cowboys.

The annual Women’s State of Origin has been a one-off game since first being played five years ago.

“For the first time ever, two women’s State of Origin matches will be played as part of a series,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“Women’s Origin has grown significantly since the first match in 2018. The matches at CommBank Stadium and Queensland Country Bank Stadium will provide another opportunity to showcase the best female players in modern stadiums in front of passionate Queensland and New South Wales fans.

“Another exciting change is that the games will be played during primetime on Thursday nights.”

Seats are available from just $20 for adults and $40 for families, while juniors under 15 can enter free with a paying adult.

Last year’s fixture at North Sydney Oval attracted 6,824 fans, with NSW grabbing a 16-10 victory on home soil.

This year’s three-game Ampol State of Origin Series for men will be played at Adelaide Oval, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and Sydney’s Accor Stadium in May and June.