A crowd of 10,144 fans descended on Belmore Sports Ground last night to witness the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs take on the North Queensland Cowboys in the fourth NRL premiership fixture played at the historic venue since its part-time return to top-tier rugby league in 2015.

While the Bulldogs were defeated 24-16 by a strong Cowboys outfit, the occasion once again proved the ensuring value of Belmore Sports Ground as a hub for community, heritage and local content.

Back to Belmore President Luke Cevolani said the game was another important moment in the hallowed turf's ongoing revival.

"The scoreboard didn't go the Bulldogs' way, but Belmore was once again the real winner last night," Mr Cevolani said.

"This ground continues to bring people together. The atmosphere was fantastic, the community turned out in force, and it was another proud night in the story of Belmore's resurgence."

Vice President Steven Cataldi said locals and travelling fans alike embraced the unique atmosphere of the suburban venue.

"Though the crowd was smaller than previous Belmore fixtures, the spirit and energy remained strong," Mr Cataldi said.

"You could feel the passion from the opening whistle. It's not just about the numbers - it's about the experience. Belmore has a heartbeat, and you can feel it on nights like these."

Local cafes, eateries and restaurants once again enjoyed a welcome boost, with steady trade in the lead-up to kick-off and after full-time, adding to the positive economic impact Belmore continues to delver when hosting live NRL.

With the NRL set to release the 2017 season draw later this year, Back to Belmore remains hopeful that Belmore Sports Ground will again feature as a regular host venue for future premiership games.