Perth Bears Bid Gets Tentative Nod, Paving Way For NRL's 2027 Expansion

A long-awaited dream on Australia’s west coast is finally coming back to life, and it’s expected to change the shape of the National Rugby League in the familiar sense.

In a move to expand and change the shape of the NRL, the Australian Rugby League Commission has given a provincial approval to bring back the Perth-based team to the field by 2027.

The move marks a big milestone for the North Sydney Bears, a foundational club that last participated in the top tiers in 1999. This agreement with the Western Australia government is reported to come with an increase in finances to $50 million over five years and the return of the North Sydney Bears back into the spotlight.

While the agreement is yet to be finalized, final approval from all 17 NRL clubs together with the Rugby League Players Association is still required to expand the league to 18 teams ahead of Papua New Guinea’s entry in 2028, which will increase the teams to 19.

Premier Roger Cook, who took over after earlier discussions were unsuccessful, has been playing a vital role in ensuring the re-establishment of a stronghold for rugby league in Western Australia. He has pushed not only for revision of the funding package but also for the development of junior programs.

The sentiments from the public have been mainly enthusiastic, particularly from loyal Bears supporters. Billy Moore described the moment as “the greatest day since the 1922 grand finale,” while others praised the deal as a significant step towards a true national competition.

Despite celebratory voices, there are still persistent concerns over talent dilution and the speed of expansion.