The Dolphins will make a splash on the Sunshine Coast in their inaugural NRL season.
The NRL draw has been released for 2023, revealing locals will get to see the brand-new team in action, when players line up against the Eels at Sunshine Coast Stadium for their Round 17 clash in June.
As expected the Dolphins will launch their season against the Rooster at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, March 5.
The following Saturday, the team returns to its spiritual home in Redcliffe to tackle the Raiders.
The NRL’s newest rivalry kicks-off in round four, when master coach Wayne Bennett and the team go toe-to-toe with the Bronocs on Friday, March 24 at Suncorp.
The two sides will then battle it out at the Gabba on July 1.
Sunshine Coast Stadium will also host two pre-season games and a second premiership match in July.
The rugby league pre-season will kick-off with the Brisbane Broncos calling the Sunshine Coast home for six days in February.
They’ll take on the Gold Coast Titans on February 12 and the North Queensland Cowboys on February 18 in trial matches.
Then in Round 21, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will take on the Brisbane Broncos, on July 21.
Councillor Peter Cox says it’s great to see Sunshine Coast Stadium play host to a raft of quality rugby league.
‘Hosting the Brisbane Broncos will be a real treat for Sunshine Coast fans in February,” Cr Cox says.
“And the returning South Sydney Rabbitohs in July are always a crowd pleaser with win after win when playing at their home-away-from-home here on the Sunshine Coast.”