The NZ Warriors are set to make their long-awaited return to Mount Smart Stadium next year - if a trans-Tasman bubble is in place - after the draw for the 2021 NRL season was officially unveiled.
On Thursday, it was confirmed that the Warriors will open their campaign against the Gold Coast Titans on March 13., with the match to be played in Auckland, if travel without quarantining is permitted.
If the game goes ahead as planned, it will be the Warriors' first game at Mount Smart since August 30, 2019.
Overall the Warriors have been allocated 11 games at Mount Smart, with their 12th home game coming against the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium, as part of the NRL's 'Magic Round'.
Half of the Warriors games will be played on Sunday, while they will have seven games on a Friday and five on Saturday.
"We have always said our priority is to be playing at home in front of our families, members and fans in 2021," says Warriors chief executive Cameron George.
"While the COVID-19 situation has meant planning for all possibilities, being back at Mount Smart is our top wish. We couldn't think of anything better after being forced to play away from home for the whole of this season.
"We have no control of any decisions around trans-Tasman border policy, but as of today we're delighted that the NRL has officially allocated all our home games to Mount Smart."
After the chaos of a restructured 2020 and the loss of marquee events due to COVID-19, the NRL has revealed a more traditional calendar for 2021.
The Easter and ANZAC weekend fixtures return, as does the Magic Round, on the weekend of May 14-16, with all teams based in Brisbane for a three-day rugby league festival.
The Warriors head to Melbourne on April 25 for the traditional ANZAC clash on a weekend that also included the Roosters and Dragons doing battle at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The indigenous round takes place on the last weekend in May, where the Warriors will host the Wests Tigers.
"This schedule is about our fans, our players and our clubs,’’ says NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.
"It rewards their discipline, determination and sacrifice last season. More games are in family-friendly slots, there are fewer five-day turnarounds and a more even balance of clubs in television time slots.
"On the field, it will be anything but normal. Our clubs will have an off-season to consider new innovations from the Commission which will ensure our game is more entertaining and free-flowing than ever before."
State of Origin returns to its familiar mid-season slot.
