What time will kick-off actually happen in tonight’s State of Origin series opener?

State of Origin start time, 2025 Game 1: What time will kick-off actually be? NSW Blues vs QLD Maroons, Suncorp Stadium:

As is the case every year, all three games are scheduled to kick-off at 8.05pm AEST.

But Origin never starts on time, so don’t expect the actual football to get underway until closer to 8.15pm due to the pre-match ceremony.

You can catch all three games of the 2025 State of Origin on free-to-air Channel 9 and its streaming platform 9Now.

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Foxtel will provide extensive pre-match coverage and replays after the final siren on Fox League (Channel 502).

Here’s everything else you need to know about the 2025 series:

GAME DAY SCHEDULE

As always, there will be a huge game day build-up before the big one tonight.

Here’s a look at the official game day schedule, keeping in mind that kick-off will more likely be 8:15pm in the main game:

11am: Team walks

5:30pm: Suncorp Stadium gates open

6pm: QLD RISE Boys (Queensland pathways system) exhibition game kicks off

6:35pm: QLD RISE Boys exhibition game halftime

6:45pm: QLD RISE Boys exhibition game second half starts

7:20pm: QLD RISE Boys exhibition game full-time

7:30pm: Origin one pre-match entertainment (likely to be a light show)

8pm: NSW Blues take the field

8:01pm: QLD Maroons take the field

8:02pm: Welcome to Country followed by National Anthem

8:05pm: Origin one kicks off

8:50pm: Origin one halftime

9:05pm: Origin one second half starts

9:50pm: Origin one full-time

*All times subject to change.

READ MORE

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Series-opening debut to Origin oblivion: NSW and QLD’s unluckiest one-game players

How NSW can pinch Cronk-JT blueprint; Slater’s trick shot threat — Origin Burning Qs

Daley reacts to QLD ‘grub’ whack for Leniu; series looks to iconic overseas venues — Origin Daily

Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses ahead of State of Origin I. Source: Supplied

DATES AND VENUES

Game I — Wednesday, May 28

Suncorp Stadium, QLD

Game II — Wednesday, June 18

Optus Stadium, WA

Game III — Wednesday, July 9

Accor Stadium, NSW

TICKETS

You can purchase tickets for all three games via Ticketek, but the series opener is already sold out.

Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans during the QLD Maroons State of Origin squad Captain's Run at Suncorp Stadium. Source: Getty Images

FORECAST

The weather in Brisbane is expected to be clear with a zero per cent chance of rain. A top temperature of 22C with a minimum of 14C. It should be around 16C at kick-off.

ODDS (TAB)

NSW $1.60

QLD $2.35

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Billy Slater discusses Game 1 nerves | 03:56

TEAMS FOR ORIGIN I

QLD Team

1. Kalyn Ponga

2. Xavier Coates

3. Robert Toia

4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

5. Val Holmes

6. Cameron Munster

7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)

8. Moeaki Fotuaika

9. Harry Grant

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11. Reuben Cotter

12. Jeremiah Nanai

13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Tom Dearden

15. Lindsay Collins

16. Beau Fermor

17. Trent Loiero

18. Kurt Mann

19. Jesse Arthars

Coach: Billy Slater

NSW Team

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Brian To’o

3. Stephen Crichton

4. Latrell Mitchell

5. Zac Lomax

6. Mitchell Moses

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Mitchell Barnett

9. Reece Robson

10. Payne Haas

11. Liam Martin

12. Angus Crichton

13. Isaah Yeo (c)

14. Connor Watson

15. Spencer Leniu

16. Hudson Young

17. Max King

18. Campbell Graham

19. Stefano Utoikamanu

Coach: Laurie Daley

Daley's final words ahead of Game 1 | 05:37

MATCH OFFICIALS FOR GAME I

Referee — Ashley Klein

Review Official — Chris Butler

Touch Judges — Dave Munro and Phil Henderson

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2024 — New South Wales

2023 — Queensland

2022 — Queensland

2021 — New South Wales

2020 — Queensland

2019 — New South Wales

2018 — New South Wales

2017 — Queensland

2016 — Queensland

2015 — Queensland

2014 — New South Wales

2013 — Queensland

2012 — Queensland

2011 — Queensland

2010 — Queensland

2009 — Queensland

2008 — Queensland

2007 — Queensland

2006 — Queensland

WALLY LEWIS MEDAL WINNERS

2024 — Angus Crichton

2023 — Reuben Cotter

2022 — Patrick Carrigan

2021 — Tom Trbojevic

2020 — Cameron Munster

2019 — James Tedesco

2018 — Billy Slater

2017 — Dane Gagai

2016 — Cameron Smith

2015 — Corey Parker

2014 — Paul Gallen

2013 — Cameron Smith

2012 — Nate Myles

2011 — Cameron Smith

2010 — Billy Slater

2009 — Greg Inglis

2008 — Johnathan Thurston

2007 — Cameron Smith

2006 — Darren Lockyer

2005 — Anthony Minichiello

2004 — Craig Fitzgibbon

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