Brisbane Broncos will open the 2016 Telstra Premiership Finals Series on Friday night against Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium.
The NRL today confirmed the times and venues for Week 1 of the Telstra Premiership Finals Series, which will also feature minor premiers Melbourne facing defending premiers North Queensland on Saturday night at AAMI Park.
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• 2015 grand finalists the Broncos will face fellow Queensland outfit the Titans on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium;
• Canberra Raiders will face Cronulla at GIO Stadium on Saturday at 5.35pm;
• The Storm host last year's premiers North Queensland at AAMI Park on Saturday night at 7.55pm;
• Penrith Panthers will play the Bulldogs in an all-Sydney derby on Sunday afternoon at Allianz Stadium.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said the opening weekend of the Finals Series offered some wonderful match-ups.
"We saw how close the regular season was – the make-up of the top eight came down to the final game and the minor premier was only confirmed in the final round," Mr Greenberg said.
"This will be a wonderful way to kick off the Finals Series."
Melbourne Storm CEO Dave Donaghy said he was excited about the prospect of a Storm-Cowboys match on a Saturday night in Melbourne.
"With clear air in Melbourne on Saturday we have been given a great opportunity to build our Club and code in our city, especially after what was a wonderful occasion last night," Mr Donaghy said.
"We are more than comfortable with a Saturday night game and are looking forward to a big crowd at AAMI Park against the premiers."
Brisbane Broncos CEO Paul White added: "Week one has given us a wonderful opportunity for an all-Queensland final on a Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
"Last year's week one game against the Cowboys was an incredible occasion and I look forward to a similar feel against the Titans."
NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series – Week 1
Elimination Final: Friday, September 9, 7.55pm, Suncorp Stadium
NRL: (5) Brisbane Broncos v (8) Gold Coast Titans
Holden Cup: (2) Nth Qld Cowboys v (3) St George-Illawarra Dragons, 5.15pm
Qualifying Final: Saturday, September 10, 5.35pm, GIO Stadium
NRL: (2) Canberra Raiders v (3) Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Holden Cup: (5) Sydney Roosters v (8) Canberra Raiders, 2.55pm
Qualifying Final: Saturday, September 10, 7.55pm, AAMI Park
NRL: (1) Melbourne Storm v (4) North Qld Cowboys
Elimination Final: Sunday, September 11, 4.10pm, Allianz Stadium
NRL: (6) Penrith Panthers v (7) Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Holden Cup: (1) Penrith Panthers v (4) Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, 1.30pm
Holden Cup: (6) Wests Tigers v (7) Parramatta Eels, 11.10am
Fans will be able to attend NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series matches from $20 for members and $25 for the general public.
Tickets will be on sale to Ticketed Club Members at 10am this Monday (September 5), and non-ticketed members and nrl.com members at 4pm this Monday.
Finals Series tickets will be on sale to the general public at 10am on Tuesday (September 6) at nrl.com/tickets
Fans are also reminded that tickets for the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final, on October 2, are also on sale at nrl.com/tickets
