Newcastle set a club record this year by signing up 21,685 members, a tally that Knights chief executive Phil Gardner hopes to surpass next season if, as expected, the competition is able to resume without any COVID interruptions or restrictions.

Membership packages for 2022 went on sale this week and, after two seasons in which the Knights have played only 17 home games, demand appears certain to be strong among diehard football fans eager to resume their normal routines.

"We had record memberships this year, so our goal for next year is 25,000," Gardner told the Newcastle Herald.

"I see no reason why we can't reach that number.

"That's our target, and I think we'll hit that."

Gardner's ultimate goal is for Newcastle's home games to be sold out before a ball is kicked each season, something that is commonplace with big sporting franchises overseas but would be unprecedented in the NRL.

That would require in excess of 30,000 members.

"Our goal is to sell out the stadium, season to season," Gardner said.

"I believe we can do that in the next three years."

If the Knights are successful in expanding their membership base to reach Gardner's 25,000 target, they could well break the club's all-time attendance records at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Newcastle's best season, in terms of home crowds, was in 1990 when they averaged 22,018 spectators per game.

Last season their average home turnout was 20,162 in the seven games before COVID restrictions intervened.

After finishing seventh in each of the past two seasons, the Knights have a stable squad, including a host of players who should be entering the prime years of their careers. "I think that as a club, we're in a good place," Gardner said.

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