Australia’s fiercest sporting rivalry is set to explode back into the arena soon, and with the 2026 PBR Australia Monster Energy Origin Series, the stakes have never been higher following New South Wales’ history-making victory over Queensland last year.
In 2025, the NSW Blues rewrote the Origin record books, ripping the title from the Mighty Maroons with a gritty, heart-stopping series decider in Sydney. Now, with bragging rights on the line and revenge firmly on Queensland’s mind, the ultimate state-versus-state bull riding battle returns bigger, louder and tougher in 2026.
Last season’s decider delivered one of the most dramatic nights in PBR Australia history, with NSW claiming the series 500.25 points (six qualified rides) to Queensland’s 419.50 (five qualified rides). Standout performances from Walcha’s Tyson Smith, Tumut’s Dylan Weir, and Victoria’s Sam Woodall powered the Blues to victory, ending Queensland’s long-standing dominance of the Origin trophy.
Queensland pushed the Blues to the brink, led by Zane Hall, who went 2-for-2 and posted the final night’s highest score, while Rylee Ward’s 84.50-point ride briefly put the Maroons back in front before NSW sealed the deal in the Championship Round.
The 2026 series again sees two of the sport’s most respected figures calling the shots from the chutes. Thirteen-time Protection Athlete of the Year, Beaudesert-born Jared Borghero, returns as coach of the Maroons and is determined to bring the title back, while Gresford-born seven-time PBR World Finals qualifier Lachie Richardson once again leads the Blues.
“The fiercest rivalry in Australian sport isn’t just played out on the footy field, it rages in the rodeo arena too,” said PBR Australia Managing Director Glen Young. “Origin is about grit, pride, and eight seconds that can change everything. NSW made history last year, and in 2026, anything can happen again.”
Each Origin event will feature $50,000 in prizemoney, totalling $150,000 across the series, with an additional $30,000 Cowboy of Origin bonus awarded to the rider with the highest aggregate score across all three events. With unfinished business, state pride and the toughest bulls in the country, PBR Monster Energy Origin 2026 promises another unforgettable chapter in Australian sporting rivalry.
PBR Monster Energy Origin Series – The scoreboard so far
- 2019: Queensland
- 2020: Covid year
- 2021: Queensland
- 2022: Queensland
- 2023: Queensland
- 2024: Queensland
- 2025: New South Wales
2026 PBR Monster Energy Origin Series dates:
- May 30 – Monster Energy Origin I | Newcastle, NSW
- June 6 – Monster Energy Origin II | Brisbane, QLD
- August 1 – Monster Energy Origin III | Sydney, NSW
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