The teams will meet at Skilled Park in the opening round of the campaign and both camps are already building up the spice factor.

Roar CEO Peter  McLennan said he was delighted to be lending a helping hand to Gold Coast United on August 8.

"We would have liked to have the game at home, but on the flipside we are equally happy to be able to help our southern friends start their season with a big crowd," he said.

"We are very confident our Roar fans will travel in big numbers and will hopefully outweigh the Gold Coast supporters."

McLennan was also confident the reverse fixtures on Boxing Day and February 12, the final game of the season, would excite home fans to pack Suncorp Stadium.

"Whether it is Skilled Park or Suncorp Stadium, I think it's always a great rivalry between the clubs," McLennan said.

"We have never been at home on Boxing Day but it does excite us ... it is something different for our fans, have their roast dinner and come out and support the boys."

As for Gold Coast, they were furious this time last year that they were forced to travel away for their first game and despite being handed a home start against Roar this time out, coach Miron Bleiberg is far from happy.

"The criticism I have is that last year we had to play them away twice," Bleiberg told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

"I thought that in my own logic that we would have two home games against them this year. The Roar issue does annoy me but we shall overcome it.

"I can't even contemplate losing to them. Ask me if the game is worth three points and I will tell you it's worth four points."

United defeated Roar on all three occasions they met in last season's competition, starting with an opening round 3-1 triumph at Suncorp Stadium.