An exciting season awaits Bay of Plenty Steamers fans, with the Blue and Golds to face off against their traditional rivals, including all three Chiefs Provincial Unions, in 2017.

The Steamers kick off their 2017 Mitre 10 Cup campaign away in Northland on August 20 before returning home to host the iconic ‘Battle of the Bays' against Hawke's Bay on August 25.

The Blue and Golds will then remain on home soil for week three, hosting Wellington on August 31

Following two consecutive away games to Manawatu and Taranaki in week four and fiveThe Steamers return home for their double header, with their midweek fixture against Southland on September 20, then take on Counties Manukau in the weekend on September 24.

Week's seven and eight will again see the team on the road, firstly to Auckland on September 30, then the team ventures south to face 2016 Championship finalists Otago on October 7.

The final scheduled home game for 2017 will be held on October 14 the Steamers host their rivals from over the hill, Waikato.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers Management team is still in discussion with regards to the selection of pre-season games.

At the end of week nine, the top four teams in each of the Premiership and Championship, will proceed to semi-finals over the weekend of the October 20-21.

The winners of those then head to the finals the following weekend to determine the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership winner, and the team who will be promoted from the Championship.

Tickets will be available to purchase from mid-April from www.ticketmaster.co.nz

BAY OF PLENTY'S DRAW FOR THE 2017 MITRE 10 CUP:

Week 1: vs Northland at Toll Stadium, Whangarei – Sunday, August 20, 2.35pm

Week 2: vs Hawkes Bay at TBC – Friday, August 25, 5.45pm

Week 3: vs Wellington at TBC – Thursday, August 31, 7.35pm

Week 4: vs Manawatu at Central Energy Trust Arena – Friday, September 8, 7.45pm

Week 5: vs Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium, Taranaki – Friday, September 15, 7.45pm

Week 6: vs Southland at TBC – Wednesday, September 20, 7.35pm

Week 6: vs Counties Manukau at TBC – Sunday, September 24, 2.35pm

Week 7: vs Auckland at Eden Park, Auckland – Saturday, September 30, 5.05pm

Week 8: vs Otago at TBC – Saturday, October 7, 2.35pm

Week 9: vs Waikato at TBC – Saturday, October 14, 2.35pm

Semi-finals: Friday, October 20 – Sunday, 21 October

Finals: Friday, October 27 and Saturday 28 October

Home games for 2017: Hawkes Bay, Wellington, Southland, Counties Manukau, and Waikato

Away games for 2017: Northland, Manawatu, Taranaki, Auckland, and Otago

To view the full 2017 draw visit the Mitre 10 Cup website at: www.mitre10cup.co.nz

Bay of Plenty's Steamers coach Clayton McMillan.