For nearly three decades, the Queensland Maroons treated Suncorp Stadium as their own personal fortress. On May 28, 2025, the NSW Blues walked into that fortress and walked out with a victory that many thought impossible. A dominant 18-6 win gave the Blues a 1-0 series lead and ended a 27-year drought of back-to-back successes on Brisbane soil.

4 related posts

Winner: NSW Blues · Score: 18-6 · Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane · Date: May 28, 2025 · Opponent: Queensland Maroons

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • NSW Blues won 18-6 (NSWRL)
  • First back-to-back Blues wins at Suncorp since 1997 (NSWRL)
  • Zac Lomax scored two tries (Zero Tackle)
2What’s unclear
  • Full player stat breakdown beyond tries and conversions
  • Detailed tackle and metres-gained figures per player
  • Official TV viewership or broadcast ratings
3Timeline signal
  • 2025 series now at Game 2 stage after May 28 result (NRL.com)
  • Perth hosts Game 2 on June 18 (NSWRL)
  • Sydney stages the decider on July 9 (NSWRL)
4What’s next
  • NSW aims to retain the Shield with continued dominance (NSWRL)
  • QLD must win Game 2 to keep series alive (NSWRL)
  • Neutral Perth venue offers no home advantage (NSWRL)

The table below consolidates the official match data from NRL.com and Zero Tackle’s live blog.

Field Value
Event Ampol State of Origin Game 1 2025
Date Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Final Score NSW Blues 18 – 6 Queensland Maroons
Venue Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Halftime Score Blues leading 14-2
Attendance 52,483
Series Status NSW leads 1-0

Who won Game 1 of Origin in 2025?

The NSW Blues claimed a decisive 18-6 victory over the Queensland Maroons in Game 1 of the 2025 Ampol State of Origin series. The win was confirmed by the official NRL match centre with the final score reading Maroons 6 — Blues 18. This result gave New South Wales a crucial 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three series.

Match score and key moments

The Blues dominated from the opening whistle, taking a commanding 14-2 lead into halftime at Suncorp Stadium. Queensland managed to narrow the gap to 14-6 early in the second half, but NSW responded with further points to secure an 18-6 victory. The 12-point margin reflected NSW’s overall supremacy in the contest. According to Zero Tackle’s match report, the Blues produced a dominant display that broke a nearly 30-year record.

The upshot

NSW’s early control proved decisive—the 14-point buffer established at halftime proved impossible for Queensland to overturn despite their second-half fightback.

NSW Blues performance highlights

Zac Lomax was the standout performer, crossing for two tries in his fourth Origin appearance. His double brought his total Origin tries to four across just four games. Brian To’o and Dylan Edwards each added a try to the Blues’ total. Nathan Cleary contributed a penalty goal but had an uncharacteristically difficult day with the boot, missing all three conversion attempts. Valentine Holmes kicked Queensland’s sole penalty goal and one conversion from two attempts.

Blues draw first blood with win on Queensland soil — NSW Rugby League (Official governing body report)

The result carries significant weight for the Blues’ title ambitions—winning at Suncorp Stadium for the second consecutive year marks their first back-to-back victories in Brisbane since 1996-1997, breaking a historic hoodoo against the Maroons on their home ground.

Where is Game 1 of State of Origin 2025?

Game 1 of the 2025 State of Origin series was played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland. The venue is widely known as “Lang Park” and has long been considered a fortress for the Queensland Maroons due to the passionate home crowd support.

Suncorp Stadium details

Suncorp Stadium hosted the opening match of the 2025 series with a crowd of 52,483 in attendance. The stadium holds approximately 52,000 spectators and has been the site of many memorable State of Origin encounters. Its reputation as a hostile environment for visiting teams made the Blues’ victory all the more significant.

Brisbane hosting info

The match kicked off at 10:05 PM GMT (8:05 AM local Brisbane time on May 28), drawing a strong Wednesday morning audience in Queensland. The timing reflects the traditional evening scheduling for Origin matches in Brisbane, allowing for maximum television viewership across the eastern seaboard.

Bottom line: The Blues won 18-6 at Suncorp Stadium on May 28, 2025. NSW leads the three-game series 1-0 with two matches remaining. Game 2 shifts to Perth on June 18, followed by a potential series decider in Sydney on July 9.

What are the State of Origin dates?

The 2025 Ampol State of Origin series follows the traditional three-game format with all three matches scheduled between May and July. Each game takes place at a different venue across Australia, combining home ground advantages with neutral sites.

Game 1 date

Game 1 was played on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. This established the opening fixture of the three-match series and set the tone for what became a historic result.

Full 2025 series timeline

The series schedule continues with Game 2 scheduled for June 18, 2025, at Optus Stadium in Perth. The venue moves to Accor Stadium in Sydney for the potential series decider on July 9, 2025. The rotation between Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia venues reflects the national nature of the competition.

The Blues have won back-to-back games in Brisbane for the first time since 1996 and 1997 — Zero Tackle (Rugby League specialist outlet)

The catch: the series rotation between Queensland, NSW, and neutral venues means the Maroons cannot reclaim home advantage after losing at Suncorp—they must now win two straight games on the road to retain the Shield.

Where is Game 2 of Origin 2025?

Game 2 of the 2025 State of Origin series will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia. This marks the second consecutive year the series has visited Perth, highlighting the city’s growing significance in the rugby league calendar.

Game 2 location

Optus Stadium, with a capacity exceeding 60,000, provides a neutral venue for Game 2 on June 18, 2025. Neither side holds a traditional home advantage at this location, making it a true away-day experience for both teams.

Series venue rotation

The rotation follows the established pattern of alternating between traditional heartland states and neutral venues. Perth’s inclusion as a Game 2 host reflects Rugby League’s efforts to grow the competition beyond its NSW-Queensland core audience.

Why this matters

With the series now at 1-0 in NSW’s favour, Queensland must win in Perth to keep their title hopes alive. A Blues victory there would clinch the Shield before the decider reaches Sydney.

Where is Game 3 of Origin 2025?

Game 3 of the 2025 State of Origin series is scheduled for Accor Stadium in Sydney, New South Wales. The venue previously hosted the 2024 series decider where the Blues clinched the Shield with a 14-4 victory.

Decider venue

Accor Stadium, formerly known as ANZ Stadium, seats over 80,000 spectators and represents the Blues’ traditional home ground advantage. Should the series reach a third match on July 9, 2025, NSW will return to familiar territory where they claimed the 2024 series.

Series decider details

The potential decider venue has proven fortunate for NSW in recent years. Their 14-4 victory at the same stadium in Game 3 of 2024 secured the Shield with a 2-1 series win, demonstrating their capability to perform under pressure on home soil.

What to watch

For Queensland fans, the prospect of a third straight home decider was dashed in 2024 and now awaits them again in 2025 if they can force a series split after two matches. The Maroons must navigate Perth first to earn that right.

Related reading: State of Origin Live Score – Maroons’ 38-10 Game 1 Win

Additional sources

zerotackle.com, nrl.com

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Frequently asked questions

What was the score of State of Origin 2025 Game 1?

The NSW Blues defeated the Queensland Maroons 18-6 in Game 1 of the 2025 Ampol State of Origin series. The match was played on May 28, 2025, at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

Who scored tries in State of Origin 2025 Game 1?

For NSW: Zac Lomax (2), Brian To’o, and Dylan Edwards. For Queensland: Xavier Coates scored the Maroons’ only try. Nathan Cleary kicked one penalty goal for NSW while Valentine Holmes contributed one penalty goal for Queensland.

When is State of Origin 2025 Game 2?

Game 2 is scheduled for June 18, 2025, at Optus Stadium, Perth. This marks the neutral-venue fixture of the three-game series.

What is the capacity of Suncorp Stadium?

Suncorp Stadium holds approximately 52,000 spectators. The opening match of the 2025 series drew a crowd of 52,483, demonstrating near-full attendance for the occasion.

How did NSW Blues win Game 1?

The Blues dominated through superior execution in the first half, building a 14-2 halftime lead. Key player Zac Lomax scored two tries while the NSW defense limited Queensland to minimal scoring opportunities. Queensland briefly threatened after scoring to make it 14-6, but NSW restored control to close out an 18-6 victory.

What are the State of Origin 2025 venues?

Game 1: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (May 28). Game 2: Optus Stadium, Perth (June 18). Game 3: Accor Stadium, Sydney (July 9, if required).

Who coached NSW Blues in 2025 Game 1?

The article does not include specific details about coaching staff changes. NSW entered the series as defending champions holding the Shield, having won the 2024 series 2-1.

For Queensland fans, the path back to the top of Australian rugby league runs through Perth. The Maroons must win Game 2 at Optus Stadium on June 18, or watch the Blues claim the 2025 series Shield before a ball is kicked in Sydney on July 9.