Prior to Tuesday's announcement, 22-year-old Ward had been the NRL's only first-choice No.7 unsure of his playing future beyond 2026.
He had also been on a part-time NSW Cup contract since arriving at the club in 2025 and making his NRL debut in round 21 that season.
But the Gerringong product has been rewarded handsomely for an impressive first full season with the sixth-placed Rabbitohs, who are eyeing a return to finals.
Ward had been eager to remain at the Rabbitohs, who lured him from St George Illawarra after he won under-21s player of the year at the Dragons in 2024.
"I've said many times that this is the place that helped me fulfil my dream of making my debut," Ward told AAP after last week's defeat of Newcastle.
"I want to pay them back by getting as close as we can to making finals and hopefully going deep into it.Â
"This is my home."
Ward has bounced back nicely after missing almost two months with the ankle injury he suffered in the round-one win over the Dolphins.
He most recently put Junior Tatola over in Sunday's 26-24 upset defeat of Newcastle, one of eight try assists from nine games this year.
The latest victory came without veteran halves partner Cody Walker (suspension) by his side.
"Wayne (Bennett, coach) sort of had a bit of a chat to me earlier in the week and he said he didn't really want me to change too much (without Walker)," Ward said.
"I just thought I played a similar job to what I usually do."
It's all left one of the NRL's smallest players confident that he belongs at the highest level.
"I've had it my whole life, I've always been one of the smallest people on the field, so you get pretty used to it," Ward said.
"You can see people eyeing you off and you can see them coming from a mile away. I just do the best that I can to put my body on the line.
"I feel like I'm starting to find my feet. I'm pretty grateful for the edge that I have with big David Fifita, Jack (Wighton) and 'Stretch' (Campbell Graham) there. They look after me. I'm having a great year so far, I feel good."
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