Brisbane's Redcliffe Dolphins have won their bid to become the NRL's newest club.
On Wednesday, the Australian Rugby League commission announced it had granted the Dolphins a licence to join the competition as its 17th team from 2023.
The Dolphins beat out Brisbane Firehawks - backed by Easts Tigers - and the combined Brisbane Bombers-Western Corridor bid to become the city's second NRL team.
"Today is an exciting moment in the history of our game," says ARL commision chairman Peter V'Landys. "I would like to congratulate The Dolphins on being granted the 17th licence.
"I would also like to acknowledge and thank the other bid teams for the work they put into their submissions. All three bids were of the highest calibre and highlight the strength of rugby league in Queensland."
The NRL Premiership will expand to a 26-round competition as part of the Dolphins' entry, with every team continuing to play 24 games in the regular season.
The total number of regular season games will increase from 192 to 204, with teams receiving two byes.
The Dolphins - who have been a consistent force in Queensland's InTrust Super Cup competition - will be the NRL's first expansion team since Gold Coast Titans, who were introduced to the league in 2007.
The organisation - which started back in 1947 - reportedly boasts AU$70 million (NZ$74m) worth of assets and has AU$20 million (NZ$21m) in cash reserves, putting it in the position to be one of the richest clubs in the NRL.
The Dolphins have set their sights high in recruitment, reportedly targeting Wayne Bennett as their head coach and star Queensland State of Origin halves Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans - a former Dolphins player - as marquee signings for their inaugural year in the world's premier rugby league competition.
The club has close ties with NZ Warriors, forming a landmark trans-Tasman rugby league partnership with the Kiwi NRL side last year to help talent development.
The Warriors will also be based at Redcliffe for the 2022 NRL season and will play their home games at the club's new stadium in Moreton Bay.
Warriors chief executive Cam George says Redcliffe's inclusion is a boost for the competition and and should open pathways for more new teams.
"I think it's fantastic for the game of rugby league in general," George tells Newshub.
"Moreton Bay region is a wonderful region. We have an association there and they've worked extremely hard to get this across the line… it makes sense and it's very exciting.
"They've really planned it and set it up quite well. They deserve the opportunity and whilst they'll become a competitor in a couple of year's time, they're certainly our friends now."
