Ballarat to host Melbourne Storm game, WNBL festival in 2022

The Storm will take on the Newcastle Knights on Februrary 27 in what will be the four-time premiers' last hitout before the NRL season starts.

Earlier, in late January, a WNBL festival will see six matches, involving every club, played at the Ballarat Sports and Events Centre.

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The Perth Lynx will also use Ballarat as its home base throughout the festival - staying and training in the city.

Minister for Sport Martin Pakula said the announcements were a nod to Ballarat's ability to host large-scale professional sporting event.

"Ballarat is a really significant regional city. As we disperse those (sporting) events cities like Ballarat will get more than their fair share," he said.

"This city has demonstrated an ability to hold really significant events over a long period of time and this will just be another feather in the cap."

Melbourne Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said Ballarat fans could expect to see some of the sport's best players in action.

"We're really excited to be playing a game in Ballarat for the first time," he said.

"It's our last hitout before the season starts so all the big guns will be here - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jerome Hughes, Cameron Munster.

"I think the fans are going to see a really strong Melbourne Storm outfit. Both teams will be wanting to step up their preparations. Anyone that comes to game can expect a good, proper hitout."

The first three months of 2022 will now see Ballarat host the Melbourne Storm's pre-season game, the WNBL festival and a Western Bulldogs' AFLW match, before the Dogs play the first of two AFL games at Mars Stadium on April 23.

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