Big win for women's Origin as schedule unveiled

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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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.

The women's series will begin on the eve of Magic Round.

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 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 as 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."

NRLW ROUND ONE 2024 (AEST)

Thursday, July 25

7:45pm, Newcastle Knight 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