Given it's still four months away, the Canberra Raiders are hopeful Canberra Stadium will be back to full capacity when they open their 2021 NRL season against the Wests Tigers.
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The ACT government announced an easing of restrictions on Thursday, not long after the NRL draw was released, which will allow 65 per cent - about 16,000 - capacity at their home games.
They're set to consider further easing on February 12 - a month before the Tigers clash on March 14.
"We're hopeful that's it going to be full capacity, but that's four months away," Raiders chief executive Don Furner said.
"We've still got time. Hopefully four months' time will be different to now."
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Furner was happy with the draw, which has seen the Raiders get seven free-to-air games, including the Wests clash - which is believed to be the first time the Green Machine have been shown on Channel Nine in round one since 2004.
Canberra's draw was set up for a fast start and a grandstand finish.
Their opening four games - against the Tigers, Cronulla, the New Zealand Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans - were all winnable.
While they finish the season with a blockbuster home game against the Sydney Roosters under lights on a Thursday night - one of four times that feature as the first game of the round.
That could be pre-empted with a trip across the Ditch to play the Warriors the previous week - provided the New Zealand borders have reopened.
They have 12 games against this year's top eight and they have done well with the teams they have to play twice - although that list does include reigning premiers Melbourne Storm and the Roosters.
"We're pretty happy with it. Got a good chance to have a good start, got a lot of free-to-air games," Furner said.
"I think we'll build a solid ground base on that for next year.
"We've got some really good teams here for our fans. Looking forward to getting back to repay Wagga for the game they missed last season."
The Raiders have trips to Perth, to face the Roosters, the Gold Coast and Townsville.
They face the Canterbury Bulldogs for Magic Round at Lang Park on May 15 - the week after they host Newcastle in Wagga Wagga, as revealed by The Canberra Times on Wednesday - when former Raiders winger Nick Cotric will face his old club for the first time.
But they'll have a much easier travel schedule than this year.
"We'll never have it that bad again. That was just really rare," Furner said.
"Everything will appear a bit easier than it did this year. I think we've only got three five-day turnarounds so that's good.
"I think we'll be right. I think it's a good draw for us."
RAIDERS DRAW
Round one: Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium, March 14 4.05pm.
Round two: Cronulla Sharks at Kogarah, March 21 6.15pm.
Round three: New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium, March 27 3pm.
Round four: Gold Coast Titans at Gold Coast, April 3 7.35pm.
Round five: Penrith Panthers at Penrith, April 9 7.55pm.
Round six: Parramatta Eels at Canberra Stadium, April 17 7.35pm.
Round seven: North Queensland Cowboys at Townsville, April 24 7.35pm.
Round eight: South Sydney Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium, April 29 7.50pm.
Round nine: Newcastle Knights at Wagga Wagga, May 8 3pm.
Round 10: Canterbury Bulldogs at Lang Park, May 15 3pm.
Round 11: Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium, May 22 7.35pm.
Round 12: Sydney Roosters in Perth, May 29 7.35pm.
Round 13: Bye.
Round 14: Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium, June 12 7.35pm.
Round 15: St George Illawarra Dragons at Wollongong, June 19 5.30pm.
Round 16: Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium, July 3 5.30pm.
Round 17: Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale, July 8 7.50pm.
Round 18: Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium, July 17 3pm.
Round 19: Parramatta Eels at Parramatta Stadium, July 22 7.50pm.
Round 20: Newcastle Knights at Newcastle, July 31 5.30pm.
Round 21: St George Illawarra Dragons at Canberra Stadium, August 6 6pm.
Round 22: Melbourne Storm in Melbourne, August 12 7.50pm.
Round 23: Manly Sea Eagles at Canberra Stadium, August 20 6pm.
Round 24: New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium, August 27 6pm.
Round 25: Sydney Roosters at Canberra Stadium, September 2 7.50pm.