Tottenham will host rugby for the first time at their new stadium on March 28 when Saracens take on London neighbours Harlequins.
The Premiership clash between Mark McCall’s double winners and arch rivals Quins has been scheduled for a fortnight after the Six Nations at Spurs’ new £1 billion home.
Previously staged at Wembley and the London Stadium this is a fixture accustomed to the big match experience.
Saracens forwards coach Alex Sanderson said: “When we started using the bigger stadiums people said we wouldn’t get any crowds - then we started getting 60,000, 80,000.
“For some (of the players) it’ll be the biggest game they’ll play ever. The boys have been (to the stadium) and they’ve said it’s worth every penny of the billion pounds it cost.”
If that will draw the crowds then so will the Premiership season opener between Bristol and Bath - a repeat of last season’s curtain raiser won by newly promoted Bears.
The match will take place at Ashton Gate on Friday October 18 - the same weekend as the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals are staged in Japan.
Bristol boss Pat Lam said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better start than Bath Rugby. When we launched Gallagher Premiership Rugby last year – it was a huge, full house at Ashton Gate with both sets of supporters, the weather was good, we played good rugby and obviously got the win - it was a magical night.
“To be asked to do it again – you’ve got supporters from both sets who were there, there are people who missed out and heard about it, so there’s no doubt they’ll want to be there. There’s a good rivalry, all we’ve got to do is play our part in it and make sure we’re at our best.”
Gallagher Premiership Rugby - Round One
Friday 18 October
Bristol Bears v Bath Rugby (7.45pm, BT Sport)
Saturday 19 October
Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins (3pm, BT Sport)
Sale Sharks v Gloucester Rugby (3pm)
Saracens v Northampton Saints (3pm)
Worcester Warriors v Leicester Tigers (3pm)
Sunday 20 October
Wasps v London Irish (3pm, BT Sport)
