The more than 28,000 fans set to pack Canberra Stadium on Friday won't just be giving the Raiders a boost.
They'll be helping to lift Canberra's economy.
The Raiders' first home preliminary final in the club's history has led to a rush of rugby league fans from interstate descending on the capital for the match.
Figures from the NRL show an estimated 40 per cent of ticket holders to Friday's final are from interstate.
While the majority of fans for Friday's game will be Canberrans and the surrounding region, several thousand South Sydney fans will be making the pilgrimage to see their team in action.
General manager of the Australian Hotels Association ACT branch, Anthony Brierly, said many hotels were reporting they were nearly booked out.
"I don't know of a bigger rugby league game in Canberra's history," Mr Brierly said. "There's going to be an economic flow across the entire hospitality industry."
There's going to be an economic flow across the entire hospitality industry.
Anthony Brierly
While exact figures on hotel bookings won't be known for several days, Mr Brierly said the match was likely to increase visitors during one of the busiest times of the year when Floriade is on.
"The fans will stop off at pubs and restaurants before the game, and they'll go back and stay in hotels overnight, and wake up and have breakfast and lunch in Canberra and see the attractions before they head home," he said.
"We're going to be seeing licensed venues be very full on Friday afternoon and evening, and hotels have been reporting a greater interest in their room inventory, and that's all down to the game being played."
An ACT government spokesman said a large number of fans were expected at the game, from Canberra and interstate.
"While we expect a strong contingent of Canberra and region-based Raiders supporters, events are always important for the ACT economy," the spokesman said.
"Not only do visitors attend events, they spend money of accommodation, dining out and visiting other attractions while they are here."
Figures released earlier this year showed more interstate tourists were visiting Canberra and spending more money while they're here. The most recent national visitor survey revealed 2.92 million tourists came to the territory in the 12 months to March 2019, up 170,000 from the previous year.
Mr Brierly said with South Sydney having some of the most dedicated fans in the NRL, a large contingent of Rabbitohs supporters was always going to be expected.
