Invercargill's loss could be Dunedin's gain, with the Steel likely to play an extra game at the Edgar Centre next year.
The Invercargill-based franchise has played two home games in Dunedin each year since the inception of the ANZ Championship in 2008.
However, the board indicated earlier this year it was keen to raise the team's profile in the Otago region and, with delays in the construction of Stadium Southland, the time appears right to lift the quota from two to three games.
"I can't confirm that at the moment," Steel chief executive Julie Paterson said.
"The reality is we have to wait for the draw to see the spread of the home games and it is a decision for the board.
"But, taking everything into consideration, there is a chance that we will have an additional game in Dunedin," she said.
Southland Indoor Leisure Centre Charitable Trust chairman Acton Smith confirmed yesterday Stadium Southland would not be ready for its planned March 31 opening.
"Several factors have influenced the timeframe and, unfortunately, the delays were simply out of our control," Mr Smith said in a press release.
"As a result of the Christchurch earthquake, there has been an even more stringent spotlight cast on the consent and construction process and we have put additional human resources into ensuring our new structure exceeds all expectations and standards. But it all takes time."
Stadium Southland general manager Nigel Skelt said the aim was to open the stadium "as soon as practically possible but, unfortunately, it's not a date we can set in concrete".
"We are being totally pro-active now and putting contingency plans in place for 2012 to enable our clients to plan for their own events with the least amount of uncertainly and disruption," he said.
"The ILT Velodrome has been a fantastic backup and we will continue to utilise it fully until we get a clearer picture around the timeframe in 2012."
Paterson said the ANZ Championship was expected to get under way in late March and, realistically, the franchise did not expect to play any games at Stadium Southland. It would instead host the remainder of its home games at the velodrome.
Regardless of the construction delays, Paterson said the board was determined to expand its operation in Dunedin.
"We are trying to increase our business base and support in the Otago region and there are a lot of strong reasons to have an additional game in Dunedin."
