Overview

• The Perth Bears, a joint venture with the North Sydney Bears, will join the NRL in 2027 following an agreement between the WA Government and the ARL Commission.
• The WA Government secured the deal without paying a licence fee, with all financial support to be spent locally in Western Australia.
• HBF Park in Perth will serve as the team's primary home venue, with one game per season played at North Sydney Oval; no major stadium upgrades are planned initially.
• Recruitment efforts are now beginning, with a head coach expected to be announced within weeks and marquee player signings under consideration.
• The franchise aims to develop local rugby league pathways, targeting 20,000 WA junior participants and five WA-born players in the top squad within a decade.