Perth Bears boss Anthony De Ceglie says early buy-in of the club’s two foundation membership packages has been overwhelming – and provided context behind the Bears’ $3000 premier package price tag.
On Wednesday, primarily across Western Australia and New South Wales, rugby league enthusiasts desperate to join the National Rugby League’s newest expansion club, the Perth Bears, finally got their opportunity to secure one of two foundation membership packages.
Fans can either purchase a $79 foundation membership package – which includes merchandise, club offers and early priority access to secure 2027 match-based memberships – or a premium foundation member “Club 2027 membership” package for $3000, headlined by a made-to-order exclusive varsity jacket and limited edition medallion, along with early priority access to secure a match-based membership.
Devices were refreshed feverishly across the country such was the demand, as the Bears, a marriage of equals between WA and the North Sydney Bears, begin final preparations ahead of their entry into the NRL from next season.
The demand led to online reports of lengthy queues – with the overall interest in both packages taking the club aback, according to Mr De Ceglie.
“We have been overwhelmed by the response and the demand,” he told Business News.
“We don’t want to talk specific numbers right now, but it’s fair to say it’s been at least triple what we expected in the first 24-hours.
“We’re well on our way to being an absolute membership powerhouse of the NRL and the WA sporting landscape too.”
For context, the Dolphins, which entered the NRL back in 2023, had 28,594 members in 2025.
The Dolphins have been able to leverage off the existing Redcliffe Dolphins, a traditional powerhouse of the Hostplus Cup (formerly Queensland Cup) in terms of rusted-on local supporter base, bar, gaming and on-field facilities.
HBF Park in East Perth, the Bears’ home ground, has a rectangular sport attendance capacity of approximately 20,441.
Rationale behind $3000 pricetag explained
Predominantly on social media, there were some sections of prospective Perth Bears members who were less than impressed with the premium foundation membership price tag – with some labelling the club “out of touch” with the common fan or even holding a view that the club was dismissive of rising cost-of-living pressures impacting households.
Mr De Ceglie reiterated to Business News that the Bears were grateful for all supporters and the club anticipated leading into the launch that the premium foundation member package was only likely to attract a distinct segment of supporters.
“We anticipated only a small number of fans would choose this option and it is so far tracking very much in line with our target,” he said.
“We’re very grateful for all our supporters.
“The premium membership pricing was benchmarked against what the Dolphins used for its similar Glasshouse Club membership when they recently launched into the NRL.
“We also benchmarked it, taking into account inflation, with memberships like the Harbour Masters used by the Fremantle Dockers when they entered the AFL.
“I think it’s important to remember that the Perth Bears are a non-profit club and every bit of revenue we create goes back into the club and growing the greatest game of all in Western Australia.”
Lessons from online process
While technical difficulties on the club’s website during the membership launch were not ideal, Mr De Ceglie pointed to the demand playing a role in it.
“The technical difficulties were two-fold — mainly because of the unprecedented demand and also because of some issues with our e-commerce provider,” he said.
“We keep planning for the extra demand, but it’s always so much more than even we have expected.
“I think the lesson for the Perth Bears, and the greater sporting world, is that demand for NRL in Western Australia so much bigger than any of us anticipated.
“We are also grateful for the understanding and support from our fans, as well as their patience.
“We’re working with the e-commerce provider to ensure anyone impacted by faults has their issue resolved as soon as possible.
“It says a lot about the passion of the Bears fans that everyone has been really supportive.”
CEO says Bears could one day rival Broncos’ commercial success
The Bears have already announced their inaugural jerseys will be unveiled prior to the Melbourne Storm-Manly Sea Eagles match (1pm) at HBF Park on August 8, with those inside the stadium having the first opportunity to buy one on-site.
Mr De Ceglie said the Bears were focused on further expanding their commercial pipeline in the lead up to their 2027 debut – a commercial rise which he says could one day rival one of Australia’s wealthiest sporting brands.
“The Perth Bears continue to break commercial records across the board for not just the NRL but the national sporting landscape,” he said.
“I believe our jersey, for example, will be the most commercially successful for any sporting club in Australia.
“We want to enter the NRL in 2027 as both an economic and membership powerhouse.
“I truly believe the Perth Bears can rival the Brisbane Broncos as the most commercially successful team in the NRL.”
Formed in 1982, Brisbane are the only NRL club on the ASX, having listed on May 12 1989.
The Broncos, which have a market cap of $159.8 million, posted a net profit of $7.77 million in 2025, up from $5.71 million.
Its operating revenue rose by 20.8 per cent to $98.3 million, which included a 16.8 per cent uptick in sponsorship dollars.
As of December 31 2025, the Broncos’ total equity reached $53.5 million.
