The first game of the 2026 State of Origin series will launch in Sydney, taking place at Homebush on Wednesday, May 27.
As per tradition, team announcements will occur approximately ten days prior to the match, followed by the squads entering a training camp under the guidance of their coaching teams.
This year's Game 1 schedule has necessitated a shift in how the Blues announce their lineup.
Due to Magic Round events occurring in Brisbane, team revelations will move from their usual Sunday night slot to Monday morning.
The last match on Sunday, featuring the Penrith Panthers-who may include several Blues players-will likely conclude around 8:30pm (AEST).
Conversely, Queensland is expected to maintain its normal announcement time of 9am (AEST) on Monday, May 18.
New South Wales Blues: Monday, May 18, 8am (AEST)
Queensland Maroons: Monday, May 18, 9am (AEST)
As a result, both teams for Origin 1 will be revealed within an hour of one another.
The exact number of players in each squad for the 2026 games has yet to be confirmed, considering that bench sizes are being expanded to six.