Perth Bears Perth Bears

The Perth Bears are set to become the National Rugby League's 18th club, joining the competition in February 2027.

Based in Perth, Western Australia, the team brings elite-level rugby league back to the west for the first time since the Western Reds folded in 1997.

This new club is the result of a partnership between Western Australia and the North Sydney Bears, one of the game's original foundation clubs. North Sydney left the NRL in 1999 following a short-lived merger with Manly. While an earlier attempt to launch the "Western Bears" was knocked back in 2024, renewed talks with the WA Government led to a breakthrough. On 8 May 2025, the NRL officially confirmed the team's entry into the 2027 season - under the name Perth Bears.

The team will proudly wear the traditional red and black of North Sydney, with white accents.

History
Since 1997, Perth has been without a top-flight rugby league side, despite being Australia's fourth-largest city. Local advocates had long argued that for the NRL to be a truly national competition, it needed a team in WA.

In the 2000s, the "Reds" brand was briefly revived at a semi-professional level, later rebranded as the West Coast Pirates, but the dream of an NRL return never faded. Meanwhile, North Sydney explored several comeback bids of their own - from relocating to the Central Coast, to takeovers of the Gold Coast Titans and even involvement in a Pacific Islands bid.

Western Australia made it clear: if a partnership couldn't be reached, they were willing to go it alone. However, the NRL signalled a preference for working with the Bears brand. By August 2024, a new proposal was in motion, backed by a WA consortium led by the Cumins family (founders of Cash Converters). Though their initial $20 million bid was rejected in October 2024, fresh negotiations with the WA Government changed everything.

In April 2025, the NRL struck a $50 million deal with the WA Government, locking in Perth's return to the league. The full agreement includes $85.6 million in total commitments from the WA Government, with funding directed toward grassroots development, club operations, and a new Centre of Excellence.

The rebrand to Perth Bears gave the club a strong geographical identity, combining Western Australia's ambition with the Bears' deep rugby league heritage.

On 6 June 2025, the club announced that Mal Meninga, rugby league legend and Immortal, will be the team's inaugural coach. He's signed on through at least 2028, with a focus on building the club and roster from scratch.

Logo and Colours
The Perth Bears will retain the iconic red and black colours of North Sydney, which date back to 1992. The club is expected to update the Bears' classic logo to suit modern NRL branding, while staying true to the identity that made the Bears a beloved name in the game.

Home Ground
The Bears will play most of their home games at HBF Park in Perth. The stadium will be shared with A-League's Perth Glory and Super Rugby's Western Force.

A proposed $300 million upgrade to the venue was part of WA's pitch, with the state government backing the Bears to ensure a world-class experience for fans and players alike.

To acknowledge their Sydney heritage and fan base, the club also plans to play one home game per season at North Sydney Oval, Central Coast Stadium, or the Sydney Football Stadium - most likely against traditional rivals Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. A pre-season match at North Sydney Oval is also on the cards each year.

Fan Support
There's been strong support for the Bears' return from both fans and former players - especially those with ties to Western Australia. The club is expected to quickly establish a large following, potentially attracting over 200,000 fans across Western Australia and Sydney's North Shore.

NSW Cup Connection
The North Sydney Bears will continue to compete in the NSW Cup, serving as a feeder team for the Perth Bears - providing a vital player development pipeline and keeping the legacy alive in Sydney.

❊ Location ❊

 HBF Park [ view ]
 310 Pier St,  Perth Western Australia 6000 View Map
 Telephone: (08) 9422 1500





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❊ Also See.. ❊

➼ National Rugby League | NRL





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