Walgett Aboriginal Connection will eye off their ninth Koori Knockout men's title on Gomeroi Country next year after announcing Tamworth as host to the annual rugby league carnival on Wednesday.

The tournament is set for October 3-6, 2025, at Riverside Sporting Complex with team entrant nominations open December 9.

Across its traditional long weekend slot on the calendar WAC will eye off their third-consecutive clinch of the men's trophy, unprecedented success after defending their Tuggerah 2023 mantle in Bathurst two months ago.

Their 46-12 win over Nanima Common Connection in October's final put them on par with long-time powerhouse Redfern All Blacks with eight Knockout titles.

"It's going to look spectacular, and you won't see rugby league like it," WAC's Matt Rose said.

"We'll make sure all efforts are put into putting on the best knockout ever. We're back on Gomeroi Country. We're actually undefeated on Gomeroi country...so we'll intend on defending again, and we'll become the outright winners. Nine times.

Aboriginal Affairs NSW joins as a naming rights partner in 2025.

Matt Rose added "we want to lift it up another level" next year.

Gomeroi man and Tamworth Regional Council's first Indigenous councillor Marc Sutherland said he was excited to see the more teams from the local community enter signs, and the broader benefits of hosting.

"The benefits of the Knockout are well known. We know that economically, the benefits of the town, the region, is millions of dollars....(There are) estimates that next year's Knockout is going to be bigger and better than ever, attracting more teams, and especially encouraging more teams from Gomeroi Country and across the north-west," Cr Sutherland said.

Council Deputy Mayor Jeff Budd added "this is about the legends of the game coming out to our town, inspiring our kids and making sure the future is brighter for everybody".

"Anyone that knows rugby league knows the Koori Knockout is one of the most exciting and passionate games of rugby league you will ever come across," he said.

Uncle Bill Kennedy co-founded the Knockout, which started as seven men's teams more than half a century ago in 1971.

Triple digits in men's, women's and junior teams now convene year on year.

"The Knockout is no longer a small football carnival or an Aboriginal community event, it is now a major sporting event on the New South Wales calendar," Uncle Bill said.

"As founders, we're proud of the legacy we have left, but are also in awe of where our modern day leaders have taken the event and turned it into a showcase piece."

Uncle Bill now calls Tamworth home.

"I encourage all members of the Tamworth community to get behind it and make it another success."

More than 15 current NRL and NRLW players competed in the 2024 carnival, with more retired stars pulling on the boots to run out.

Former NRL player and former Eels NRLW coach Dean Widders grew up nearby 90 minutes down the road from Tamworth in Armidale.

His club, Narwan, hosted the 2009 Knockout.

"I know firsthand the impact it can have on your local community," Widders said.

"There have been some amazing footballers that have come from Gomeroi country as well. And I'm sure that the knockout will inspire plenty more to follow their dreams to the NRL and NRLW."

WAC's George Rose, another former NRL star and five-time carnival winner with WAC said he'll be pulling on the boots again in 2025.

"The thing I love about the Knockout is there's so many young stars that come through getting the opportunity to play, not alongside, but to play against someone like Latrell Mitchell," George Rose said.

"You play against the best NRL players in the game. (If) you show them up, you get your opportunity. We've seen young players that have gone on to get NRL contracts, NRL careers off the back of what they've done in the knockout."

Also at the announcement, Mitchell added "it means a lot to be able to be a part of something so special…it's modern day corroboree, a gathering, and it's all about culture, connection and being with our families."

Alongside Walgett, Redfern All Blacks overcame heartbreak in Tuggerah to claim the 2024 women's title.

La Perouse won the boys U17s and U13's, Mindabarra the girls U17s and boys U15s, Newcastle Yowies the girl's U15s.