THE National Rugby League is set to create sporting history, opening Perth Stadium with a blockbuster double-header to kick off round one of the 2018 season.

South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury Bulldogs will host the afternoon and evening matches on Saturday, March 10.

Rugby league will be the first rectangular sport played at the stadium. Only a one-day international between Australia and England on January 28 could stop the NRL staging the first sports event at the venue.

Cricket Australia and the WA Cricket Association still hope to play the match at the stadium.

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Last month it was revealed the NRL was lining up the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs for the double-header. Their opposition will be confirmed when the 2018 draw is released.

The 2018 AFL season is scheduled to start on March 22, almost two weeks after the NRL campaign kicks off.

The NRL had been investigating staging its two-day Nines festival at the stadium in February but the tournament was cancelled because of a crowded schedule, with the World Cup being played in Australia this year.

The State Government said the event was the third part of an NRL sponsorship deal which includes a World Cup double-header at nib Stadium on November 12 and game two of the 2019 State of Origin series at Perth Stadium.

Camera Icon An NRL double-header will feature at Perth Stadium next March. Credit: PerthNow

A crowd of about 45,000 is expected for the Perth Stadium opener, with around 3000 fans travelling from interstate. It is tipped to generate $2.25 million for the WA economy.

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said the event would bring visitors and attract national media attention.

“This is just one more way we can drive visitation to fill planes, get visitors to Perth and fill our hotel rooms,” he said.

“Tourism contributed $10 billion to WA’s economy in 2016 and the industry supports 109,000 jobs.

“It is a key pillar of the State Government’s plan to diversify the economy, create jobs and develop business opportunities.”

Play Video WA is the only state to not be given federal funding for a stadium in recent years WA is the only state to not be given federal funding for a stadium in recent years

Sports Minister Mick Murray said rugby league was growing in popularity in WA.

“We expect this double-header to be extremely popular,” he said. “The NRL premiership fixture between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the New Zealand Warriors played at nib Stadium in June 2015 was a sell-out match.

“The crowd of 20,272 still holds the record for sporting event attendance at the venue since its redevelopment.”

NRL WA general manager John Sackson said the double-header reflected the NRL’s commitment to the game in WA.

NRL Chief Executive Todd Greenberg said it would be a spectacular way to help kick off the new season.

“Fans will get two premiership matches in a blockbuster event at incredible value,” Greenberg said.

Tickets will go on sale to members of the Bulldogs and the Rabbitohs today and the general public tomorrow.