Back-to-back away games kick off the 2024 campaign for the Bulldogs, with their mass of new signings set to be unveiled at home for the first time in Round 3 against the Titans.
Along with their traditional Good Friday clash with the Rabbitohs, Canterbury-Bankstown will also play the Eels on the King's Birthday this season while also taking a home game to Bundaberg in Round 24 to face the Dolphins.
Teams they play twice
If last year's form is anything to go off, the Bulldogs have a tricky schedule of home and away fixtures in 2024 with two meetings set down with the Sharks, Roosters, Knights, Raiders and Warriors, who all made the post-season last year. They also take on the Eels, Dragons and Cowboys twice.
Teams they play once
The Bulldogs play the Panthers at Penrith and Broncos at Brisbane in their only meeting with last year's grand finalists, while also taking on the Titans, Rabbitohs, Wests Tigers, Sea Eagles, Storm and Dolphins only once.
Day-by-day breakdown
- Thursday: 1 game (1 home, 0 away)
- Friday: 10 games (3 home, 7 away)
- Saturday: 9 games (5 home, 4 away)
- Sunday: 3 games (2 home, 1 away)
- Monday 1 game (1 home, 0 away)
Turnaround time
- 5 days: 0 games
- 6 days: 8 games
- 7+ days: 15 games
The Bulldogs are one of two teams not to have a five-day turnaround in 2023, with eight six-day turnarounds on their schedule – two of which involve them flying to Brisbane (Round 21) and New Zealand (Round 25). Their longest turnaround time is in Round 20 when they travel to Townsville to face the Cowboys after the bye in Round 19 following a Saturday clash against the Warriors in Sydney.
Opening month
- Round 1: v Eels (A)
- Round 2: v Sharks (A)
- Round 3: v Titans (H)
- Round 4: v Rabbitohs (A)
Canterbury have just one home game through the opening month, but still won't have to travel outside of Sydney during that period, with their sole clash against an out of state team during that period being a home game against the Titans. The Sharks are the only 2023 finals side Canterbury-Bankstown face in the first four games in what shapes as a positive start to the year.
Magic Round
After falling just short of a comeback win against the Raiders in Magic Round last year, the Doggies get another shot against Canberra this season – kick-starting the festival of footy with their clash on Friday night. The not-so-good news is they are without a win over the Raiders since 2017.
State of Origin watch
They play the Knights and Roosters in Round 13 and 16 when Origin players are unavailable for club selection, with a bye in Round 19 in the lead up to Origin III. The extended turnaround that comes with playing against the Eels on Monday in Round 14 could be a bonus for any Bulldogs players backing up after the Origin opener, while they play the Sharks on a Friday (Round 17) and Cowboys on a Sunday (Round 20) in the other two rounds that immediately follow Origin games.
Can't miss game
Round 5 v Roosters, Friday at Accor Stadium (H)
The Bulldogs have played well every time they've faced the Roosters over the past three seasons, winning one of those clashes and being within eight points in the two they lost. Last year they went down in a thriller 25-24. This rivalry match tends to bring out the best in both sides and Canterbury's first home game at Accor Stadium for 2024 will hopefully see another enthralling game.
