The NRL published the draw on Thursday with the resurgent Raiders starting their campaign with a tough opening two rounds against the past two premiers – the North Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks.

But their on-field revival has been somewhat rewarded with four free-to-air games in the first 20 rounds of the season, including a 6pm Friday game against the Manly Sea Eagles.

The Raiders had hoped to take advantage of a relationship between Canberra and Wellington and the new direct flights between the capital cities.

They were willing to take a home game to New Zealand if they were playing one game against the Warriors next year.

But shifting the round seven fixture between the teams to Wellington would mean the Raiders having to travel to New Zealand twice in the year.

Instead, the Raiders-Warriors match in Canberra on April 15 will go head to head with the GWS Giants clash against Port Adelaide at Manuka Oval with start times just one hour apart.

"I think we've got a good draw and it's a shame we won't take that game to New Zealand, but that's something we're definitely still interested in for the future," said Raiders boss Don Furner.

"It would have been good to try the direct flights and see how it all works. But the guys might still go via Wellington on their way to play in Auckland [in round 23]."

The Raiders enjoyed their best season in 20 years this season, rising to second on the ladder at the end of the regular season and earning a preliminary final berth.

But their on-field improvements come with a double-edged sword of more exposure on Channel Nine and a tough draw against more higher-ranked teams.

Features of the Raiders draw include:

The Raiders have already signed more than 8000 members as they track towards their target of 20,000 members in the coming years.

Their spectacular run at the end of last season, which included a club-record 10 wins in a row, ignited lime green passion in the capital and the Raiders' attractive football made an impact with NRL and television bosses.

"We play some good, tough teams at home and hopefully we get some good crowds to attractive games," Furner said.

"Canterbury is the only big drawing team we don't have but we've got the others which is great.

"We just have to make this an intimidating place to come. We're tracking very well [membership wise], the challenge is transferring it season to season.

"The challenge is being competitive, continue winning and get a bit of luck. There will be expectation this year and that's another challenge."

The Raiders returned to pre-season training on Monday to start their preparations for the campaign.

The Green Machine hasn't qualified for back-to-back finals series since 2003-04, but coach Ricky Stuart has built a new culture and squad depth to be a continued force.

RAIDERS 2017 NRL season

Round one (March 4): North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders at Townsville, 6pm.

Round two (March 11): Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium, 7.30pm.

Round three (March 19): Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium, 4pm.

Round four (March 24): Brisbane Broncos v Canberra Raiders at Brisbane, 7.05pm.

Round five (April 1): Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels at Canberra Stadium, 5.30pm.

Round six (April 8): Gold Coast Titans v Canberra Raiders at Gold Coast, 5.30pm.

Round seven (April 15): Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium, 5.30pm.

Round eight (April 21): Canberra Raiders v Manly Sea Eagles at Canberra Stadium, 6pm.

Round nine (April 29): Canterbury Bulldogs v Canberra Raiders at Sydney, 5.30pm.

Round 10 (May 14): Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders at Newcastle, 2pm.

Round 11 (May 20): Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders at Sydney, 7.30pm.

Round 12 (May 28): Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at Canberra Stadium, 4pm.

Round 13 (June 4): Manly Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders at Sydney, 2pm.

Round 14 (June 10): Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders at Sydney, 5.30pm.

Round 15: BYE

Round 16 (June 24): Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium, 5.30pm.

Round 17 (July 1): Canberra Raiders v North Queensland Cowboys at Canberra Stadium, 7.30pm.

Round 18: BYE

Round 19 (July 14): Canberra Raiders v St George Illawarra Dragons at Canberra Stadium, 7.50pm.

Round 20 (July 22): Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium, 5.30pm.

Rounds 21: South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canberra Raiders at Sydney, TBC

Round 22: Cronulla Sharks v Canberra Raiders at Sydney TBC

Round 23: New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders at Auckland, TBC

Round 24: Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers at Canberra Stadium, TBC

Round 25: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Canberra Stadium, TBC

Round 26: Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders at Melbourne, TBC