Perth Bears in Singapore? Push for international fixture reignited

The push for Singapore to host an NRL match has been reignited, with Perth Bears assistant Ben Gardiner endorsing the idea of an overseas fixture.

NRL CEO Peter V’Landys has floated the concept of a global round to kick off future NRL seasons, building off the success of the Las Vegas season openers, which have had record results here in Australia.

Singapore has begun rising up the rugby league ladder, with the nation’s dominant victory in the inaugural Asian Championships, coached by Perth recruitment manager Dane Campbell.

With international cities including Tokyo, London, and Dubai floated as potential host cities, Gardiner backed the idea of the Bears playing in Singapore to capitalise on the friendly time zones with Perth.

The ideal match-up would be the Perth Bears taking on the PNG Chiefs, with Perth a five-and-a-half hour flight, while PNG is an hour more, roughly two to three hours less than any east coast side.

“I think there's something in it,” Gardiner told SEN 1170 Mornings.

“We were actually talking about it during the week, just as a talking point amongst our staff… PNG's gonna come in at some stage, and when they come in, why not take Perth Bears and PNG to Singapore to play as a game?

“It's closer for each of them to fly. Both of our clubs can get there and not have the toll of the flying that they would normally have, and that takes it international.

“So, there's lots of opportunities, that's just one that we've talked about, but I think it's great for our game.

“It makes it a worldwide game, rather than Australia and New Zealand and England.

“It takes our game to other places in the world, like what we've done with Vegas.

“It’s created more fans for us so I think it’s a great idea!”

Following the announcement of the 2027 Las Vegas teams - the Storm, Eels, Titans, and Wests Tigers - Gardiner confirmed the Bears weren’t interested in playing their inaugural game in Vegas.

“We want to have our first games at HBF Park,” Gardiner said.

“Obviously, like we're talking about membership today, so we're talking about ticketed membership down the track as well, so we wanna have our first game in Perth at HBF Park.

“In terms of Vegas, as you said earlier, (it’s a) great experience.

“And the one thing I know about Vegas is that they always get up for the game.

“You walk into that stadium, to Allegiant Stadium, and you just go, ‘wow’. You want to play there, you want to be at your best there.

“It's getting bigger every year. People are committed to go. I think it's a great thing for our game.”

The Bears will enter the NRL from Round 1 in 2027.