Key Facts:
PBR AUSTRALIA ORIGIN 1:
Round One Results:
Queensland: 759.10 points (9 qualified rides)
New South Wales: 677.50 points (8 qualified rides)
Images + Footage + Interviews
QLD WINS Origin I in Newcastle nailbiter to sold out crowd: Maroon bull riders out buck the Blues
The toughest rivalry in Australian sport returned to the chutes last night, with the opening round of the 2026 PBR Australia Monster Energy Origin Series delivering one of the closest contests in the event's history.
In front of a capacity crowd at Newcastle Entertainment Centre, the Queensland Maroons held their nerve to claim Round One, defeating the New South Wales Blues 759.10 points to 677.50, despite the lead changing hands repeatedly throughout the night.
Round One Results:
Queensland: 759.10 points (9 qualified rides)
New South Wales: 677.50 points (8 qualified rides)
Images + Footage + Interviews
PBR fans have never witnessed an Origin battle quite this tight, with New South Wales holding a razor-thin 0.10-point advantage over Queensland until the closing stages of Round Two.
The Maroons found their moment through Origin debutant Ethan Coster from Miriam Vale, whose qualified ride pushed Queensland into the lead heading into the Championship Round.
But the Blues refused to go away. Brazilian-born NSW representative Keny Roger opened the Championship Round with a crucial qualified ride to edge New South Wales back in front by just 1.30 points, setting up a nail-biting finish.
Queensland's Macaulie Leather responded with an outstanding 86.25-point ride, before Blues star Sam Woodall answered with an equally impressive 87.35 points, keeping the scoreboard virtually locked together and the crowd on its feet.
With the series opener hanging in the balance, all eyes turned to 19-year-old Queensland rookie Ethan Coster. Competing in his first-ever Origin appearance, Coster delivered under immense pressure, covering G Shock for 84 points on a re-ride and sending the Newcastle crowd into a frenzy as Queensland sealed a famous victory.
"Last night was exactly what Origin is all about," said PBR Australia Managing Director Glen Young. "The lead changed multiple times, both teams threw everything at each other, and in the end it came down to riders standing up under pressure. We've never seen scores this close in an Origin opener, and if Newcastle is anything to go by, we're in for an incredible series."
Next Stop: Brisbane
The rivalry now heads north to Brisbane on June 6, where the Maroons will have the opportunity to wrap up the 2026 series on home soil on Queensland Day.
Will Queensland complete the job in front of a home crowd, or can the Blues fight back and force a winner-takes-all decider in Sydney?
One thing is certain - PBR Origin is bucking brilliant.
PBR Monster Energy Origin Series – THE SCOREBOARD SO FAR!
- 2019: Queensland
- 2020: Covid year
- 2021: Queensland
- 2022: Queensland
- 2023: Queensland
- 2024: Queensland
- 2025: News South Wales
2026 PBR Monster Energy Origin Series
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Origin II – BRISBANE
June 6 at 7:00 PM at Brisbane Entertainment Centre
PBR Monster Energy Origin II tickets | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | Ticketek Australia
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Origin II – SYDNEY
August 1 at 7:00 PM at TikTok Entertainment Centre, Sydney
PBR Monster Energy Origin III tickets | TikTok Entertainment Centre | Ticketek Australia
ABOUT PBR AUSTRALIA
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is one of the fastest-growing sports properties in the world, with tours across the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. A subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings —which also owns UFC and WWE— has transformed bull riding into a premier international sport since its founding in 1992. The organisation features over 1,000 riders globally and hosts more than 200 events annually worldwide. In Australia, Professional Bull Riders Australia (PBRA) stages more than 20 events each year, attracting over 75,000 fans. PBRA showcases key events and tours such as the Monster Energy Tour, PBR Origin Series, and PBR Grand Finals, while also partnering with regional event organisers through the PBR Touring Pro Division. The organisation supports emerging talent through its Can-Am Junior Academy and serves as an international pathway to the United States circuit for both Junior and Open competition athletes.
