Perth Bears have signed more than 16,000 foundation members within days of launch, with demand surpassing the club’s expectations.
The club said 85% of memberships have come from Western Australia, with the response signalling strong support ahead of the Bears’ inaugural 2027 NRL season.
Perth Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie said the club had originally set a target of 10,000 foundation members by the end of October.
“We beat that number in the first 24-hours with at least triple the demand on Day One alone,” De Ceglie said.
“By the end of our first weekend of sales we’re at an incredible 16,000 members with a new target of hitting 20,000 in our sights.”
A coast-to-coast response
De Ceglie said the club was grateful for support from Western Australia and North Sydney, acknowledging the legacy of the North Sydney Bears.
“We are truly grateful and honoured by all the support from our fanbase in Western Australia and in North Sydney, thanks to the legacy and tradition of the North Sydney Bears.
“This proves that the Perth Bears will be a powerhouse not just of the NRL but of the entire national sporting landscape.
“And it proves that our coast-to-coast story is one that has been embraced.”
Foundation memberships give fans priority access to ticketed and season memberships when they go on sale later this year.
“HBF Park fits about 20,000 seated fans – so my advice for those wanting to come to Perth Bears home games next year is to get in fast,” De Ceglie said.
Club 2027 momentum
The club is also selling a Club 2027 Premium Foundation Membership for $3,000, which gives priority access for up to five immediate family household members.
De Ceglie said many supporters had already taken up the premium membership.
“The Perth Bears are the most exciting story in Australian sport,” he said.
“We are a non-profit club, so every dollar will go back into the Perth Bears and our overall mission of growing the greatest game of all in Western Australia.”
Junior registrations are already up 23% year-on-year, which the club attributed to the arrival of the Perth Bears.
WA support builds
Perth Bears Chairman Ben Morton said the membership figures were “remarkable.”
“The fact that over 85% of our membership is from Western Australia proves what we in WA already knew … that there is huge support for the Perth Bears and the NRL in this State,” Morton said.
“To have 16,000 members sign up in such a short time is remarkable.”
Head Coach Mal Meninga thanked fans for their support and said the club was focused on building for 2027 and beyond.
“We want this club to be something the whole of Western Australia and North Sydney can be proud of,” Meninga said.
“We’re doing the hard work now and putting the planning in place to ensure we have a successful 2027 and beyond – that’s what our 16,000-strong members deserve.”
Eyeing top-five NRL membership status
Perth Bears General Manager of Commercial Katie Roberts said launch-day demand caused temporary technical difficulties, but supporters were patient.
“We keep planning for extra demand, but the excitement about the Perth Bears continues to be unprecedented,” Roberts said.
“We’re well on our way to 20,000 foundation memberships and at least 30,000 members once ticketed and season memberships are released later this year. That will make the Perth Bears a top-five club for members in the NRL.”
The club plans to release its inaugural jersey in August when the Melbourne Storm host the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at HBF Park, the final NRL match at the venue before the Bears begin playing home games there in 2027.
“The Perth Bears continue to break commercial records across the board not just for the NRL but the national sporting landscape,” De Ceglie said.
“I truly believe the Perth Bears can rival the Brisbane Broncos as the most commercially successful team in the NRL.”
Top image: Anthony De Ceglie