Sharks showdown: Hannay to face old club in season opener

The Gold Coast Titans will kick off their 2026 Telstra Premiership campaign on the road, facing the Cronulla Sharks in Round 1 on Saturday, March 7 at PointsBet Stadium.

The season opener will be a special milestone for new Titans head coach Josh Hannay, who will take charge of his first match for the club.

Adding intrigue to the matchup, Hannay will be coaching against his former side in the Sharks where he spent recent seasons as an assistant to Craig Fitzgibbon.

With Cbus Super Stadium unavailable in the early rounds due to the Women’s Asian Cup, the Titans will begin their year on the road before returning to the Gold Coast later in the opening stretch of the season.

CEO Steve Mitchell says the Round 1 fixture marks the start of an exciting new chapter.

“There’s a huge sense of optimism heading into 2026,"he said

"Josh has already had a significant impact on our program, and our players have responded early to his approach and energy.

“Facing the Sharks first up, and doing so at Josh’s old club, adds a great storyline.

"We’re looking forward to getting back to Cbus to play in front of our Members and supporters, but our group will embrace the challenge of starting away from home." 

The club’s full 2026 draw will be available soon, including details of the first home game back at Cbus Super Stadium, following the conclusion of the Women's Asian Cup.

Titans Members and fans can stay tuned to titans.com.au for all schedule updates and ticketing information. 

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