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The NRL will stage a double header at the new Perth Stadium in Round One of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership season, marking what is likely to be the first sporting contest at the new 60,000 capacity venue.

Announced by Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan, South Sydney and the Canterbury Bulldogs will host matches on Saturday 10th March next year.

Prior to the NRL fixtures, a free community open day will allow people to come see the completed stadium without charge.

Mindful of local controversy that NRL rather than AFL fixtures will be the first sporting events in the new $1.6 billion venue, Premier McGowan stated “(NRL) won't be the first event at the stadium, there will be other events before that.”

The 10th March game comes before the AFL season gets underway, meaning the venue will be opened by rugby league in a traditionally AFL state.

Due to the significance of the event, the NRL has released tickets for the double header in advance of the release of its 2018 fixtures, marking the first time the NRL has released tickets for an event prior to the official NRL Telstra Premiership draw announcement.

Announcing the arrangements, NRL Chief Executive Todd Greenberg  stated “this will be a spectacular way to help kick off the new NRL season – a Saturday double header at the brand new stadium in Perth

“Fans will get two Premiership matches in a blockbuster event at incredible value.”

In a statement, Western Australian Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said the event was expected to attract between 40,000 to 45,000 people, and about 3,000 interstate, visitors.

In addition, a one-day cricket match could still be staged at the new venue during summer while an Ed Sheeran concert is scheduled for 2nd March.

It has also been revealed West Coast and Fremantle will be denied the chance to host a Friday AFL fixtures for at least the first half of 2018 due to doubts over the completion of the Perth Stadium footbridge.

The long-delayed project is due to be finished in March but the Western Australian Government has asked for no Friday night matches to be scheduled at the venue until July. 

Image: Artist's impression of the complete Perth Stadium and Perth Stadium bridge.

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