HOPES more tickets would become available to the New Zealand Warriors, Newcastle Knights game at Scully Park have all but evaporated.
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During the past week, the NRL and Wests League Club had been lobbying NSW Health to try and increase the ground's capacity from 25 per cent to 50 per cent.
However, Wests League Club chief executive officer (CEO) Rod Laing said "it was extremely unlikely" the capacity for the August 29 game would be increased.
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"Even though some comments were made by NRL boss Peter V'Landys and the Deputy Premier about it going up to 50 per cent, I don't see that happening," Mr Laing told the Leader.
"I think the NRL was holding out hope we could get to 50 per cent capacity toward the end of August, but that is far from what I can see happening.
"From our point of view, we are working closely with Hunter New England Health to ensure the highest levels of safety are met and I know they will not support an exemption of 50 per cent, despite only selling tickets to local people.
"That's the stance that they are taking and I think that's totally understandable."
Such was the demand for tickets to the Round 16 clash, the Wests website crashed twice last week as tickets were snapped up in a hurry.
However, Mr Laing said there was a flicker of hope for locals who missed out on a ticket.
"I'm not too sure how many tickets there will be, but I know there are usually some set aside for the players' families that won't be used because only locals are allowed to attend," he said.
"What we will do is give the people who left their contact details with us last week after missing out first priority.
"I'm not too sure exactly how many tickets there will be, but it's at least a bit of a chance for those who missed out."
Mr Laing said the chances of Scully Park hosting more NRL games in the coming years looked promising.
"Just this week I have had discussions with Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pasoce about his club returning next year," he said.
"They were scheduled to play the Canberra Raiders here earlier this year until coronavirus hit, but they are keen to continue the partnership into the future.
"I know the state government and the NRL's Regional Taskforce are committed to bringing more games to country areas.
"I think that will be really good for not just Tamworth, but areas right across the state."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
