What starts in Vegas ends at Accor Stadium against their bitter cross-town rivals in 2024 as the Roosters look to make the finals for the seventh year in a row.
How they emerge from a brutal opening month will give a good indication of where they are at as a side, while a stretch of home games which lead into a bye in the middle of the Origin period could be a big plus for Trent Robinson's troops.
Teams they play twice
There will be two regular season instalments of the game's oldest rivalry, with the Roosters taking on the Rabbitohs in Round 3 ahead of meeting again in the final round before the play-offs begin. The Tricolours also see the Broncos, Sea Eagles, Bulldogs, Storm, Dragons, Raiders and Eels twice in 2024, with the Broncos and Storm the only ones from that group who finished ahead of them on the ladder last year.
Teams they play once
Having one clash with both the Warriors and Cowboys – and them both being in Sydney – reduces the travel demands on the Roosters, while their lone clash against the Dolphins will be played in Perth. The Panthers, Knights, Sharks, Wests Tigers and Titans are the other teams the Roosters play once.
Day-by-day breakdown
- Thursday: 5 games (3 home, 2 away)
- Friday: 6 games (2 home, 4 away)
- Saturday: 6 games (2 home, 4 away)
- Sunday: 7 games (5 home, 2 away)
Turnaround time
- 5 days: 2 games
- 6 days: 4 days
- 7+ days: 17 games
The Roosters have two five-day turnarounds on the schedule and both come in the lead-up to games against the Rabbitohs. After taking part in the season-opener in Las Vegas, the Roosters have 15 days before they have to next take the field, which marks their longest turnaround of the season. Having gaps of at least seven days on 17 occasions is an advantage for the Roosters in 2024.
Opening month
- Round 1: v Broncos (H)
- Round 2: v Sea Eagles (A)
- Round 3: v Rabbitohs (H)
- Round 4: v Panthers (H)
After the trek to the USA in Round 1 it's back to 4 Pines Park to face the Sea Eagles in Round 2 before they square off with arch-rivals the Rabbitohs in Round 3. The Roosters then face defending premiers Penrith in the opening game of Round 4 to complete what is arguably the toughest opening month of any side in 2024.
Magic Round
The Roosters will play the Sharks in the middle game on Saturday and are designated as the away team. It was a Magic Round to forget for the Roosters last year as they got thumped 20-6 by the Cowboys in the second game on Sunday, and they'll be hoping for better fortunes this time around.
State of Origin watch
The Cowboys – who will likely be without several frontline players due to Origin I – are their opponents in Round 13 and the Roosters have a bye the following week so don't need to worry about players backing up. They then play the Bulldogs in Round 17 when players are out for Origin II and back up against Wests Tigers the next week. A bye in Round 19 leads into a Round 20 clash against the Storm, who will also likely have a few players in line to back up from Origin III.
Can't miss game
Round 3 v Rabbitohs, Friday at Allianz Stadium (H)
These great rivals don't have to wait long for a crack at each other in 2024, with their Round 3 meeting coming after they both travel to Vegas earlier in the month. Another chapter is ready to be written in the Book of Feuds and whoever wins will have bragging rights for the next five months, with their second meeting of the regular season not coming until Round 27.
