The NRL has set its sights on a world-record crowd for the women's State of Origin opener after scheduling it for the eve of Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.
As revealed by AAP last week, the NRL expanded the women's Origin series to three games for 2024 while sticking with 10 sides in the NRLW competition.
All three Origin matches will be played as stand-alone fixtures, with Thursday night matches in Newcastle and Townsville for the second and third games.
It is the only match in Brisbane on May 16 and that has the potential for a record crowd for a stand-alone women's rugby league fixture in Australia.
Last year's Origin fixture in Townsville drew a crowd of 18,275, the largest ever for a women's fixture in the game's history.
But with Magic Round a sell-out event each year at the 52,500-seat Suncorp Stadium, the NRL believes there is a real chance of topping last year's high.
"We've seen a growth in live crowds across the women's competition every year, and I think next year it's going to be more of the same," NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
"We've seen a huge turnout this year for both women's State of Origin matches, and I think next year will be even bigger.
"The fans that are travelling now get to see both premiership action and State of Origin action.
"I'm confident that Suncorp Stadium will be heaving. It always is because it's a cauldron for State of Origin."
The women's State of Origin series wrapping up in the same week as Game II in the men's will then allow a four-week gap between representative fixtures and the start of the NRLW on July 25.
Newcastle will start their title defence on a Thursday night against the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium, on the same weekend the men's team have the bye and with the potential for a big crowd.
There will be an increase to 16 NRL-NRLW double-headers this season, with clubs and players backing the idea.
Another four NRLW double-headers will be played on top of that.
The NSW Rugby League will move its state championship to the end of the season in line with the NRLW, allowing it to act as a proper reserve grade competition.
League bosses will then look to likely expand the NRLW to 12 teams in 2025, in line with current budgeting in the collective bargaining agreement.
WOMEN'S STATE OF ORIGIN:
Game I: May 16, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Game II: June 6, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Game III: June 27, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville.
