North Queensland are set to host Canterbury in the opening match of the season, with Channel Nine and the NRL resisting the temptation of repeating this year's blockbuster premiership kick-off between South Sydney and Brisbane to capitalise on the return of Sam Burgess.
Instead, the Rabbitohs and Broncos are expected to meet in round two at Suncorp Stadium in a match which is sure to be one of the most watched regular season games of the season, given the rating success of the two clashes between the clubs this year.
Fans in regional areas took the number of people tuning in to both games to more than 1 million nationally and along with the Storm-Broncos clashes in round 26, which drew a television audience of 723,000 in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, they were among the three most watched regular season matches.
The return of Burgess after a 12-month stint in English rugby union should ensure even bigger viewing numbers this season, with the hype around the dual international likely to be similar to that when Sonny Bill Williams joined Sydney Roosters in 2013 after a five-year absence from the NRL.
Burgess' decision to quit Bath and return to Souths on a three-year deal dominated weekend headlines in Australia and England and he will be an even bigger star than he was before he left at the end of the 2014 season after leading the Rabbitohs to their first premiership in 43 years.
However, Fairfax Media was told Nine and the NRL were well advanced in discussions about the 2016 draw before the return of Burgess was confirmed last Friday and intend to stick with their plan for the Cowboys to host the season opener after winning the grand final.
Parramatta had been considered as North Queensland's first opponents but it is understood that the Eels will play St George Illawarra in the opening round, with the Bulldogs to travel to Townsville for the March 3 clash.
The Broncos had requested to play their first home match in round two against either the Cowboys or Rabbitohs, and it is believed they will face Souths, with the grand final replay to be played later in the season.
The NRL is expected to release the full 2016 draw later this month, officials determined to announce the fixtures earlier than last year when fans had to wait until December to learn their team's schedule.
The Bulldogs have announced trial matches against Penrith at Pepper Stadium on February 13 and Melbourne at Belmore Oval on February 20.
The Panthers will also host Parramatta on February 20 at Pepper Stadium, while the Eels play Gold Coast at ANZAC Oval, Alice Springs, on February 13.
