WA’s bid for an NRL team of its own has received another small boost after Perth was confirmed as the host city for the return of the NRL and NRLW Nines in 2020.

All 16 NRL and four NRLW clubs will participate in the two-day event, which will be held at HBF Park on February 14 and 15.

NRL Nines will feature four men’s pools and up to 25 matches, while the women’s clubs will compete in a round-robin style tournament.

A growing number of rugby league events have been played in Perth in recent years, with momentum building for an NRL team to be based there permanently when the league decides to expand.

“The sell-out crowd in Perth for State of Origin highlighted how much interest West Australians have in rugby league and we are committed to growing the game here,” NRL head of elite football Graham Annesley said.

“There are few better destinations than summer in Perth and we want this event to be a summer vibes festival. We’re looking forward to seeing a stadium of colour to kick-off our 2020 season.”

NRL expansion has been a hot topic over the past decade, and Perth is keen to thrust its hat into the ring.

The NRL Nines had been played in Auckland from 2014 to 2017 but had been left off the calendar for the last two seasons.