Perth has seemingly turned its nose up at the NRL’s bid to lure Western Australian fans to the code, with cheap tickets being sold off to the double-header at Optus Stadium next month.
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NRL turn to flash sale as Perth fans seemingly snub Optus Stadium double header
Perth has seemingly turned its nose up at the NRL’s bid to lure Western Australian fans to the code, with cheap tickets being sold off to the double-header at Optus Stadium next month.
A limited-time offer of $30 tickets to the April 11 showpiece, a double header between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canberra Raiders, as well as Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters, was advertised on Thursday, just over a fortnight from the game.
While the event drew just under 46,000 fans in 2023, those numbers dropped to 31,347 last year, and a spokesperson for Optus Stadium told The West Australian they were expecting a similar crowd figure in 2026.
For comparison, West Coast, who won only a single AFL clash in 2025, had an average home attendance of just over 35,000 last year while crosstown rivals Fremantle averaged more than 37,000.
The crowd struggles come at a poor time for the competition, with Perth’s own NRL franchise under 12 months away from making its long-awaited debut.
The Perth Bears, to be coached by legend Mal Meninga, will be the first team based in WA since the Western Reds in the 1990s.
However, Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’Landys has previously had to addressed concerns around the fresh Perth-based side’s ability to be competitive.
“Everyone thought the (Redcliffe) Dolphins wouldn’t be competitive, and they nearly made the top eight both years, and they’re still competitive,” he said in 2025.
Jamayne Isaako of the Dolphins celebrates a third try at Optus Stadium. No
“I’m very confident the Bears will be competitive in the very first year. We’re going to make sure that we’re going to have the right infrastructure in place.”
The Bears will play out of HBF Park, alongside Western Force and Perth Glory, which has a capacity of 35,000.
In November, the club — owned by the NRL — was revealed as the major beneficiary of a $12.9 million WACA Ground upgrade, on top of a $65 million deal signed with the league last May and a $20 million multi-sport training facility in Malaga.
The cricket venue and a new training field at Waterbank in East Perth have been described as an “interim” base for 2027, until the Bears’ Malaga quarters are finished.
While announcing the WACA upgrades, WA Premier Roger Cook declared the Bears a team the State’s sports fans will be proud of.
“We’re helping the Perth Bears set up, because every Western Australian is proud of the Perth Bears,” he said late last year.
“I know there’s detractors. I know that there’s people who are perhaps worried about a new code coming to WA.
“I think every Western Australian is excited about the opportunity to cheer on another Western Australian-based team.”
