The future of the NRL Auckland Nines could be determined by how many people turn out to Eden Park this weekend.

Several Australian cities are vying to take over the pre-season tournament when Auckland's five-year hosting deal runs out next year.

Organiser Duco Events says ticket sales were sluggish before Christmas but are now on par with last year.

ATEED head of major events Charmaine Ngarimu said the event is doing well but Aucklanders need to keep supporting it.

"There's obviously other events around the city where if don't get in and you don't support it you will see properties disappear."

The tourism agency remains confident this weekend's NRL Auckland Nines won't be the last.

The Penrith Panthers are calling for the pre-season tournament to be scrapped after this year due to its high injury rate.

"We have $8 million worth of footballers we want to win the (NRL) comp with, not a Nines," Fletcher told News Corp Australia.

"Do we need to be there? The answer is 'no'. What benefit does the Nines have on our season?"

ATEED is the major sponsor of the Nines, and Ngarimu says the agency will be fighting to keep the event.

"23 million dollars coming into the region in three years is 80% of the target we had set over five years. It's not a small amount of money."

Players will attend a fan day at Aotea Square on Friday before the tournament at Eden Park on Saturday and Sunday.