The inaugural match for the Perth Bears in the NRL competition is now confirmed, much to the delight of their enthusiastic Western Australian supporters.
As the league's 18th franchise, the Bears are set to debut in 2027, with 9News Perth revealing that their Round 1 game will take place on the west coast, likely at Optus Stadium.
Although HBF Park has been designated as the team's primary home ground, the Bears aspire to fill Optus Stadium, which accommodates up to 60,000 fans, to mark this significant occasion.
"It's going to be in Perth. The demand will be there to play, probably at Optus Stadium. There will be enough people interested," said Bears general manager Gareth Holmes to 9News.
Holmes added, "There's going to be a sea of red and black all around the ground, and it'll be a very proud moment for the Bears brand. It'll be a very proud moment for the WA sporting landscape, to see a rugby league team that is their own in WA."
The Bears intend to host their first two matches in Perth to harness the enthusiasm surrounding their entry, with the state government also supporting their plans.
There are rumors that the Bears might face the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their opening match, given the historical rivalry stemming from the North Sydney franchise.
Recently, the Bears achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 20,000 foundation members, demonstrating strong interest in rugby league on Australia's West Coast.
This membership opportunity was available for just a few weeks, with 85% of purchases coming from local residents of Western Australia.