After narrowly missing the finals in their inaugural season, the Raiders will have their focus firmly fixed on a top-four finish when they return next season.
Gifted with just one flight for the season to Brisbane in Round 4 and no less than a six-day turnaround, the Raiders have plenty to be pleased about in next season's fixture but will still need to improve on last year's poor record on the road.
What should help them however, is heading to Sydney with their NRL counterparts on two occasions throughout the season, with the Raiders faithful guaranteed to hit the Hume motorway alongside them.
Day-by-day breakdown
- Saturday: 5 games (3 home, 2 away)
- Sunday: 4 games (2 home, 2 away)
Turnaround time
- 5 days: 0 games
- 6 days: 2 games
- 7 days: 4 games
- 8+ days: 1 game
The Raiders don't have to handle a five-day turnaround in 2024, nor do they have to manage with a short turnaround involving a flight with their six-day breaks coming between games in Sydney and Canberra. Canberra have the best travel schedule of any team, with just one flight to Brisbane in Round 4.
Opening month
- Round 1: v Wests Tigers (A)
- Round 2: v Knights (H)
- Round 3: v Sharks (H)
- Round 4: v Broncos (A)
The Raiders will kick off their season with a trip to Campbelltown to meet the Tigers before they enjoy back-to-back home games against the Knights and Sharks. Both of those teams will ask plenty of questions but after winning their first three games at home last season, Canberra will be hoping to open their season in a similar fashion.
NRL and NRLW Doubleheaders
The Raiders will feature in five doubleheaders, four of which will be played with their NRL counterparts. Darrin Borthwick's side will feature in NRL doubleheaders at home in Rounds 3 and 5 before the men and women hit the road in Rounds 6 (Roosters) and 7 (Dragons) in two must watch clashes. The Raiders will close out their season in Round 9 as part of an NRLW doubleheader at Commbank Stadium.
Can't miss game
Round 2 v Knights, Saturday at GIO Stadium (H)
Mark August 3 in your calendar when the Raiders host their first game at home against the back-to-back premiers. The Raiders were turning GIO into a fortress after winning their first three home games in 2023 but won't forget when Newcastle came and crashed the party with a tight 20-12 victory. With the Knights out to defend their premiership credentials for the first time on the road and the Raiders determined to defend their home, the 11.05am early kick off is one not to miss.
