Targeted Sport in Focus - Rugby League

The Australian National Rugby League (NRL) dates back to1908 and spread across into WA in 1947. The first game was played here in April 1948 with Perth defeating Fremantle 25-17.

In 1995 WA entered the NRL competition with the Western Reds, but the team left the national competition several years later in 1997.

In 2014, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs?and Melbourne Storm played in Perth during the Telstra Premiership Season with over 12,000 fans showing their support at HBF Park (or nib Stadium as it was called then).

The Rugby League World Cup came to Perth in 2017, as part of a tri nation hosting between Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Perth Rectangular Stadium hosted two matches: England v France and Wales v Ireland.

State of Origin games at Optus Stadium in 2019 and 2022 set state records with crowds of around 60,000 flocking to the stadium, and nearly 3 million tuning in across the country to watch the Blues versus Maroons.

This year, the NRL returned to Optus Stadium on 5 August with a double header. Queensland’s newest up and coming team, the Dolphins took on the Newcastle Knights, winning 36-20, followed by the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, finishing 16-26. More than 48,000 fans were in attendance for this double-header.

WA will continue to be a hub for NRL, with Perth set to host further State of Origin series games in 2025 and 2028. Future blockbuster games played within WA will be the basis behind drawing in thousands of interstate visitors. Premier Roger Cook said that "These major sporting events are significant economic drivers for our state, bringing people from all over to WA".

With NRL continuing to grow and evolve, the sport is looking to expand with new franchises. Following the overwhelming popularity and success of matches held at Optus Stadium, WA is certainly putting its best foot forward to be part of a national competition.

VenuesWest offers direct support to NRL through access to world class venues.