NRL Confirms Perth Bears as 18th Team for 2027

The NRL has confirmed that the Perth Bears will become its 18th team, debuting in 2027 after securing a $60 million state funding package and $5.6 million for matchday and marketing support from the Western Australian government. All funding will be spent locally, and the club will not be charged a license fee. The Perth Bears will operate as a membership-based, not-for-profit entity chaired by a local, maintaining strong ties to the historic North Sydney Bears while forging a new West Coast identity. The expansion is expected to generate $28 million in annual economic benefits for Western Australia. This move is part of a broader NRL strategy that includes future plans for a Papua New Guinea-based team. The decision has sparked both excitement and controversy among rugby league fans.