Source : ABC NEWS
The rugby league world is focused on Brisbane for one of the biggest weekends on the calendar.
The NRL’s Magic Round and Game I of the Women’s State of Origin series will be held over a four-day footy bonanza, with every game to be held at Lang Park.
Below is the comprehensive list of everything you need to know ahead of the NRL Magic Round and the Women’s State of Origin.
What is the NRL Magic Round?
Magic Round happens once a year, when the NRL relocates to Brisbane for one weekend to play every match of the round.
The initiative began in 2019 and was a success, with 134,677 attending Lang Park across the four-day event.
The concept was derived from the Super League in the United Kingdom, which has hosted a Magic Weekend on an annual basis since 2007.
The outbreak of COVID-19 prevented the concept from continuing in 2020, but it made its return the following year.
Last year, Magic Round produced its record weekend attendance of 149,196 fans pouring into Lang Park.
The NRL has an agreement to host its Magic Round in Brisbane until the 2027 season.
The 2024 Magic Round weekend was also the first to have the Women’s State of Origin series begin the festival of footy.
Last year’s series opener was the first Women’s State of Origin match at Lang Park, Queensland rugby league’s home base.
New South Wales triumphed 22-12 in front of a then record crowd for a Women’s State of Origin match of 25,492 fans. That record would be broken in Game II, when 25,782 flocked to Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.
When is the NRL Magic Round?
This year’s Magic Round weekend will be held from Thursday, May 1 to Sunday, May 4.
The weekend will begin with Game I of the Women’s State of Origin Series on Thursday.
All NRL fixtures will be played from Friday, May 2, until Sunday, May 4.
(All times in AEST)
Friday, May 2
- 6pm: Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels
- 8:05pm: Sydney Roosters vs Dolphins
Saturday, May 3
- 3pm: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights
- 5:30pm: New Zealand Warriors vs North Queensland Cowboys
- 7:45pm: Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Sunday, May 4
- 1:50pm: Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
- 4:05pm: Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos
- 6:25pm: Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders
The Manly Sea Eagles will not be part of Magic Round as they have a bye this weekend.
How can I watch NRL Magic Round?
Magic Round can be watched on free-to-air and pay television, as well as streaming services.
The Nine Network will broadcast three NRL matches on its free-to-air Channel Nine, and streamed on its Nine Now app.
Those matches will be:
- Sydney Roosters vs Dolphins (Friday, 8:05pm)
- South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights (Saturday, 3pm)
- Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos (Sunday, 4:05pm)
Foxtel will be broadcasting every NRL match on its Fox League channel (502) as well as its streaming service Kayo.
ABC Sport has a live blog for every match of the NRL season, which can be followed online or on the ABC News app.
You can also listen to ABC Sport’s live call free online or via the ABC Listen app.
When is Women’s State of Origin Game I?
For the second year running, the Magic Round weekend will begin with Game I of the Women’s State of Origin series.
Last year, New South Wales was victorious to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
However, Queensland produced the same never-say-die attitude the men’s team has become legendary for, and fought back to claim a 2-1 series victory.
Lauren Brown kicked a last-gasp field goal to win Game II for the Maroons. (AAP Image: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous)
Game I of the 2025 Women’s State of Origin will be played on Thursday, May 1 at 7:45pm.
Who is playing in Women’s State of Origin Game I?
| Queensland Maroons | New South Wales Blues | |
|---|---|---|
| Tamika Upton | 1 | Abbi Church |
| Julia Robinson | 2 | Jaime Chapman |
| Shenae Ciesiolka | 3 | Jessica Sergis |
| Rory Owen | 4 | Isabelle Kelly |
| Jasmine Peters | 5 | Jayme Fressard |
| Tarryn Aiken | 6 | Tiana Penitani |
| Ali Brigginshaw | 7 | Jesse Southwell |
| Keilee Joseph | 8 | Simaima Taufa |
| Lauren Brown | 9 | Keeley Davis |
| Jessika Elliston | 10 | Ellie Johnston |
| Sienna Lofipo | 11 | Kezie Apps |
| Romy Teitzel | 12 | Yasmin Clydsdale |
| Destiny Brill | 13 | Olivia Kernick |
| INTERCHANGE | ||
| Jada Ferguson | 14 | Jocelyn Kelleher |
| Sophie Holyman | 15 | Kennedy Cherrington |
| Makenzie Weale | 16 | Sarah Togatuki |
| Tavarna Papalii | 17 | Emma Verran |
| RESERVES | ||
| Georgia Hannaway | 18 | Shaylee Bent |
| Chelsea Lenarduzzi | 19 | Kirra Dibb |
| Hayley Maddick | 20 | Olivia Higgins |
How can I watch Women’s State of Origin Game I?
The Nine Network will broadcast Game I of the Women’s State of Origin on its free-to-air Channel Nine, and streamed on its Nine Now app.
ABC Sport will have a live blog for every match of the Women’s State of Origin, which can be followed online or on the ABC News app.
You can also listen to ABC Sport’s live call free online or via the ABC Listen app.
