Wests Tigers' love affair with Tamworth is set to continue after the club revealed they will play a home game at Scully Park in 2021.
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However the match going ahead was contingent on the allowance of a capacity crowd, which would make it financially viable for the Tigers, said Rod Laing, chief executive of Scully Park operator the Wests Entertainment Group.
"The contracts have been exchanged between the two organisations [Wests Tigers and WEG]," Laing said, adding that "the only stickler" related to the possibility of "COVID conditions" still being enforced when the game was scheduled to be played.
"The likelihood of that game being cancelled and taken away from Scully Park [if conditions remain] is extremely high," he said. "That's the only negative out of that contract."
The Tigers' opponents for the clash will be unveiled when the 2021 NRL draw is announced on Thursday.
Wests previously hosted games in Tamworth in 2018 and 2019, and were due to play the Raiders at Scully Park in May before COVID-19 scuppered that.
The Warriors and the Knights ended up playing in Tamworth in August.
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Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe said the club was thrilled to return to Tamworth after the disappointment of last season's cancellation.
"As a club, we're extremely excited to return to Scully Park and to the New England region in 2021," he said.
"The cancellation in 2020 was disappointing for all involved. But we're thankful for the ongoing support of many to allow us to return in 2021.
"In particular, I'd like to thank Rod Laing and Wests Entertainment Group for their commitment to bringing elite rugby league to the region and Tamworth community."
Pascoe said the Tigers "are firmly committed to promoting the game of rugby league right throughout the New England region".
"And we see this opportunity as a real privilege for our club," he added.
The Tamworth trip, he continued, will be a week-long celebration of rugby league and will include a raft of activities and community programs.
Information regarding tickets and attendance of the Tamworth fixture will be announced later.
The match was one of several announced by the NSW Government on Wednesday, with NRL games also set to be played in Bathurst, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Mudgee and Coffs Harbour as part of the 2021 Super Regional Series.
