Rabbitohs return to Perth in 2025

The South Sydney Rabbitohs’ longstanding commitment to rugby league in Western Australia has continued, with the foundation club heading west again next season.

It will be the Bunnies’ 12^th National Rugby League match in Perth since 2009: a streak of home games that includes their famous 16-12 win over the Brisbane Broncos in pouring rain at HBF Park in 2011.

Next year’s home game, likely to be a part of a double header, will be played at Optus Stadium, as part of the club’s two-year deal with the state government.

The Rabbitohs will hold their annual Charity Shield pre-season clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons in the rural NSW town of Mudgee over the next two years.

“We weren’t in a position to play in Mudgee last year due to the season opener in Las Vegas. However, as soon as this became an option for us to return, alongside the Dragons with the support of Mid-Western Regional Council, we jumped at it,” South Sydney chief executive officer Blake Solly said.

“Similarly with Perth, as our discussions progressed with the WA government, it became clear that we could return to our ‘home away from home’ ahead of the expected inclusion of the Perth-based NRL team in the coming seasons.”

WA’s bid to become the NRL’s 18^th franchise in an expanded competition, dubbed the Western Bears, could potentially be given the green light to join an expanded competiton within the next month.

Should the Bears be admitted into the competition, they would likely hit the field from the 2027 season onwards. 

Since the establishment of the NRL – which came about following the coming together of both Australian Rugby League and Super League competitions – following the end of 1997, WA has not featured in rugby league’s top-flight first grade competition.  

The Western Reds participated in the ARL during the 1995 and 1996 seasons, before rebranding to the Perth Reds during their 1997 Super League campaign, which marked their final year in existence.