西澳大利亚州州长罗杰·库克表示，如果2028年NRL大奖赛与教宗访问时间冲突，西澳将"积极竞标"争取承办该赛事。[1]教宗访问定于十月长周末举行，可能在皇家兰威克赛马场举办。[1]NRL主席彼得·V'兰迪斯确认珀斯是潜在举办地之一，同时表示需要在对新南威尔士州的忠诚与商业考量之间权衡。[1]
珀斯拥有承办大型体育赛事的经验。西澳曾于2021年在Optus体育场成功举办AFL大奖赛。[1]珀斯熊队将于明年成为NRL第18支球队，该队教练梅尼加表示"他们会轻松填满体育场"。[1]V'兰迪斯指出，将大奖赛带到某座城市会吸引参赛两队的球迷前往观赛。[1]
Western Australia's Premier Roger Cook has signaled the state's intent to bid aggressively for the 2028 NRL Grand Final should it conflict with Pope Leo XIV's scheduled visit to Sydney [1]. The pontiff's visit is planned for the October long weekend and may be held at Royal Randwick Racecourse [1]. NRL chairman Peter V'Landys confirmed Perth remains under consideration as a potential host venue and acknowledged the tension between maintaining loyalty to New South Wales and pursuing commercial opportunities [1].
Western Australia possesses both the infrastructure and proven track record to stage major sporting events, having successfully hosted the AFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium in 2021 [1]. The state's credentials will be further strengthened when the Perth Bears join the NRL as the league's 18th team next year [1]. According to Perth Bears coach Meninga, the new team would easily fill the stadium [1], while V'Landys noted that when the Grand Final moves to a city, supporters of both competing teams follow, bringing significant economic benefit [1].