The Perth Bears will be based at the famous WACA cricket ground as they prepare to become the NRL’s newest club in 2027.
The news was announced on Sunday by the Hon. Rita Saffioti, Western Australia Deputy Premier and Minister for Sport and Recreation.
While the WACA Ground itself will host the Perth Bears’ administration and high-performance space, Saffioti explained the WA State Government will increase its existing WACA redevelopment investment by a further $12.9 million to create a new professional training field at the nearby Waterbank site in East Perth along the Swan River foreshore.
“The WACA Ground has driven high-performance sport in Western Australia for more than a century and hosting the inaugural Perth Bears team will be an exciting new chapter for this iconic venue,” Minister Saffioti said.
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“As WA steps closer to NRL history, opening this space up to the Perth Bears will mean they have the high-quality training facilities they need to burst into the competition in 2027,” she continued.
“Bringing elite sport into the heart of the city is not only a smart use of public space but delivers lasting benefits to the community and local sporting clubs.”
Bears home games will be played at Perth’s only rectangular stadium, HBF Park, less than three kilometres from the WACA.