The timing of the round 23 match could be crucial: given the lingering menace of COVID-19, it is believed the encounter has a better chance of being staged because it is scheduled for late in the season.

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The deal struck between the Tigers and the Wests Entertainment Group states that the NRL club will move the home game away from Tamworth if there is not the possibility of a capacity crowd.

The club needs a capacity crowd to make the week-long sojourn to New England financially viable, said WEG chief executive Rod Laing.

Laing described as "terrific" the news of another NRL clash in the country music capital.

Asked if the Tigers coming to Tamworth once a year could become a permanent arrangement, he said: "It's a good relationship between the two organisations. We're obviously very open in discussions about certain things."

The Tigers, who played games in Tamworth in 2018 and 2019, were scheduled to meet the Raiders in the city last year but COVID put paid to that.

Laing said the Bulldogs, who have an arrangement with Group 4, and the Dragons have also expressed an interest in "opening up discussions" to play in Tamworth.

"Look, it speaks volumes for Scully Park," he said, adding that it is a "privilege" for Tamworth to host an NRL game.

The Tigers-Sharks clash will be one of six games played in regional NSW in 2021.

Laing said the NRL games played at Scully Park had been successful because they also attracted people who were not fans of the participating clubs.

"That's why the attendance figures have been very strong," he said. "And, hopefully, they continue into the future post-COVID."

Tamworth Regional Council Deputy Mayor Phil Betts said the pending clash "was wonderful news for the city".

He said previous NRL matches in Tamworth had provided the community "with an absolute economic boost".

"Especially in the COVID environment, opportunities like this are absolutely fantastic for the overall community - from a sporting perspective right through to an economic perspective," he said.

"And the marketing potential it has for Tamworth on the world stage is phenomenal."

On Wednesday, Australian Rugby League chairman Peter V'landys said: "I made a promise to regional NSW that we would take games back to the bush as soon as the competition returned to normality."

In 2021, matches will also be played in Bathurst, Wagga Wagga, Mudgee, Coffs Harbour and Dubbo.