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In a move sure to excite football fans, the NRL has lengthened the Women’s State of Origin series to three games in 2024.
The decision comes after the Queensland Maroons reclaimed the shield this year on points aggregate with the series drawn 1-1.
Women’s State of Origin initially formed a one-off annual fixture but was played out across two games for the first time in 2023.
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Women’s Origin 2024 exclusive, live and free on Channel Nine and 9Now
The addition of a decisive third game will ensure each season moving forward has a clear winner.
Early discussions suggested that the expansion would have to wait until 2025.
Nine will be the exclusive home of Origin in 2024, showcasing both the men’s and women’s series, and including the under-19 competitions.
State of Origin in 2024 will kick off with the women’s opening match. The women’s series will also begin on the eve of Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium, ahead of three days of NRL premiership action.
The NRL on Monday unveiled the full NRL and NRLW draws for next year, as well as the representative calendar.
“I am proud to be standing here talking about THE NRL and an NRLW season schedules simultaneous,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo told media.
“It’s incredibly exciting and I think symbolic of just how far the game has come.
“We have an expanded State of Origin series. We’ve listened to our fans, we’ve listened to the players and the other stakeholders, and we’ve worked incredibly hard.
“The commissioner supported the growth of the women’s game by expanding the women’s State of Origin series ahead of schedule.
“I’d like to acknowledge Channel Nine specifically for their support and investment in the growth of the women’s State of Origin which will not be exclusive on their network.”
The 2024 NRLW season will open with the Newcastle Knights hosting the Sydney Roosters on Thursday, July 25 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The match will form a standalone fixture with that week’s NRL round starting on Friday.
“The most exciting aspect of this year’s schedule is the fact that we have been able to integrate the NRL and the NRLW seasons in a much more effective manner resulting in 16 NRL/NRW doubleheaders,” Abdo said.
“The NRLW premiership kicks off with a record number of doubleheaders… More matches played at home stadiums, more NRLW doubleheaders and NRL/NRLW doubleheaders.”
The men’s and women’s competitions will again culminate with their grand final matches played on the same day and at the same venue.
For the first time, the NRLW premiership will highlight the league’s women in league round with the celebration to fall in round 22 of the NRL and round two of the NRLW.
NRLW ROUND ONE 2024 (AEST)
Thursday, July 25
7:45pm, Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium
Saturday, July 27
11:05am, Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys at PointsBet Stadium
12:45pm, Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium
Sunday, July 28
12:00pm, St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans at WIN Stadium
1:45pm, Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders at Campbelltown Sports Stadium
