More NRL games to be locked into regional NSW areas from 2021

Tamworth will host the New Zealand Warriors-Newcastle Knights match later this month and Dubbo has been guaranteed as a venue to host a premiership match in 2021.

Dubbo MP and NRL Regional Taskforce chair Dugald Saunders helped confirm the news, joining ARLC chair Peter V'Landys, Deputy Premier John Barilaro and other dignitaries for the major announcement.

Saunders described it as the "start of a new way forward for rugby league in regional areas", kicking off in Tamworth on August 29.

"We need to look at opportunities for all regional areas," he said.

"Tamworth ... to kick-off the new feeling but from next year there's more and more plans to have premiership and pre-season games in regional areas.

"It's an exciting way forward from here."

Orange last hosted an NRL game in 2016, the Newcastle Knights bringing a pre-season trial against Canberra to Wade Park.

The shape of that ground has worked against it in terms of attracting big-time rugby league to the city since then, but a new $25 million complex in the works should see the colour city again figure in the calculations of NRL clubs in the near future.

Saunders gave his guarantee a regular season match would be played in Dubbo next year and said more announcements about specific dates and teams involved are expected in the coming months.

Bathurst already hosts a Penrith Panthers NRL regular season match, while Mudgee will again house the annual Charity Shield pre-season game between the Dragons and Rabbitohs.

On top of those, the taskforce wants four to six "top quality level matches" each year in regional areas.

Saunders said Dubbo was an obvious choice to be one of those venues, given the calibre of facility in Apex Oval, and it's proximity to those communities "starved of rugby league" in the far west.

"In my discussions with the NRL it's been the number one priority to get a game to Dubbo," he added.

Dubbo Regional Council recently confirmed it had spoken to a number of NRL clubs in regards to hosting a match at Apex Oval.

The Canterbury Bulldogs and Cronulla Sharks had responded positively while Saunders said "five or six" clubs have shown real interest in playing games at Dubbo or Mudgee during the early conversations.

Council estimated a match at Dubbo could cost $568,000 but Barilaro confirmed on Monday the state government would be willing to help towns and cities financially.

"Sports tourism is so important to regional and rural NSW," the deputy premier said.

"That's why the NSW government is often happy and prepared to financially support bringing teams into the regions because of the actual net benefit to the community.

"You're filling your hotels, restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs. It brings tourism but more importantly it showcases the regions long-term and that's a bigger benefit."

Clubs, the NRL, the state government and councils need to work together, according to Saunders, in order to make it a fair and sustainable approach.

"Rather than just which council is bidding the most," he said.

Wagga, Queanbeyan, Albury, Bega, Coffs Harbour, and Port Macquarie were other potential venues mentioned by Saunders.