IPSWICH’S push to secure a future NRL licence has gained fresh momentum, with the Ipswich Jets positioning the western corridor as the logical home for Brisbane’s next team.
The renewed bid comes as discussions intensify around the NRL’s proposed expansion to a 20-team competition, with Ipswich emerging as a serious contender, this time backed by stronger financial interest and a clearer strategic vision than previous attempts.
Central to the latest push is interest from a US-based private equity firm prepared to invest heavily in a western corridor franchise, addressing financial concerns that undermined earlier bids.
Mayor Teresa Harding said the region’s case had never been stronger, pointing to both rapid population growth and major infrastructure investment.
“While Ipswich has long been the heartland of rugby league in Queensland, we are also the fastest-growing city in Queensland with a population that is expected to double in the coming decades,” she said.
She confirmed work was progressing on the $41 million upgrade of North Ipswich Reserve, with demolition complete on the western grandstand and construction set to begin later this year.
The redevelopment will deliver a 2000-seat grandstand, NRL-compliant dressing rooms, upgraded amenities, and new media and function facilities.
On the field, support for the bid is growing.
Ipswich Jets playmaker Moses Mbye said the western corridor represented a ready-made rugby league market.
“It just makes sense. Look at Sydney and the number of clubs they have there. Brisbane has just two,” Mbye said.
“Ipswich is the right demographic for rugby league. We don’t need to convert people. You can put a team here and you will fill the stands day one.”
Former bid leader Nick Livermore said Ipswich remained the standout expansion option.
“It’s still the best place for rugby league to grow and own,” he said.
Ipswich coach Tye Ingebrigtsen said the prospect of a top-flight team had energised players and staff, with belief building across the club.
Momentum for expansion has been building since the introduction of the Dolphins in 2023, with further growth confirmed through the planned entry of the Perth Bears and a Papua New Guinea franchise.
Attention is now turning to the 20th licence, and Ipswich is firmly in contention.
The western corridor’s case rests on population growth, geography and a deep rugby league pedigree.
Stretching from Ipswich through Springfield and Goodna to Toowoomba, the region is one of the fastest-growing in Queensland and a proven production line for elite talent.
It has produced greats such as Allan Langer and Kevin Walters, while current stars including Ezra Mam have emerged from the same corridor.
Advocates argue Ipswich offers a distinct identity and junior base unmatched by rival bids, without overlapping Brisbane’s existing clubs.
The renewed push comes after the collapse of a 2021 expansion bid that centred on a South East Queensland merger involving the Ipswich Jets and Brisbane Tigers.
Stakeholders insist this latest proposal is more unified and financially robust, with a clear commitment to basing any future franchise in Ipswich rather than Brisbane’s CBD.
There is also added urgency, with the AFL continuing to invest in Queensland’s growth corridors, including Springfield, as it seeks to expand its footprint in traditional rugby league heartland.
With expansion talks accelerating, financial backing emerging and local support strengthening, Ipswich’s long-running bid is again gaining traction, and may be closer than ever to securing a place in the NRL.
