The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will stage two premiership matches at Belmore Sports Ground next year after the NRL released the draw yesterday for the 2024 season.

Following the clash with the Gold Coast Titans in Round 3 on Saturday, 23 March at 3pm, the Bulldogs will meet the Canberra Raiders in Round 22 on Sunday, 4 August at 4pm. Canterbury will also host the Melbourne Storm in a pre-season trial game at Belmore on Thursday, 15 February at 7pm.

Back to Belmore Patron Luke Brailey said NRL games are the key driver to make sure Belmore Sports Ground retained elite-level sport into the future.

“This decision reinforces the Bulldogs' long-term presence in the local district in 2024 ensuring top-tier rugby league remains in the Canterbury-Bankstown district next year,” Mr Brailey said.

“As each year passes, the feeling of being at home in Belmore only grows. The economic benefit to the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA is going to be exceptional. Back to Belmore treasures our relationship with the Bulldogs and their commitment to their traditional heartland speaks for itself.”

Vice President Steven Cataldi said the ground is one of the premier playing surfaces in the country and gives the local region the opportunity to showcase itself to the nation.

“The relationship between the Bulldogs and Back to Belmore has spanned almost two decades and over that time the partnership has come to mean a lot to us,” Mr Cataldi said.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase more blockbuster games at Belmore Sports Ground and look forward to working with the Bulldogs to help deliver three successful NRL matches at their spiritual home in 2024.”

The competition fixtures are anticipated to be an economic boon for local businesses with visitors patronising the cafés, eateries and restaurants on Burwood Road before and after the matches. It is estimated that the two NRL premiership games played at Belmore Sports Ground in 2023 injected over $600,000 into the local economy.