Bristol gets Twickenham opening
Andy Robinson's side will take part in the annual London double header, on Saturday September 3, facing the 2012 Premiership Champions, Harlequins.
"Seeing the fixtures really gets the juices flowing. We're pleased to be involved in the London Double Header on our first game back in the top flight, it's always a day that provides entertaining, competitive rugby," said Robinson.
"The key for us this season is to enjoy our rugby and embrace the challenges that await us. We're looking forward to playing at a fantastic stadium in front of our supporters, who we know will travel in great numbers to Twickenham."
The London Double Header will be completed by the current champions, Saracens who kick-off the defence of their Premiership title hosting Worcester Warriors.
"We're very much looking forward to kicking off the 2016-17 campaign back at Twickenham Stadium against Worcester Warriors," said Saracens Director of Rugby, Mark McCall.
"The London Double Header is always a great way to start the new season with four clubs battling it out in a showpiece occasion in front of a big crowd.
"Looking around the Premiership, all clubs have strengthened going into the new campaign with quality players joining from across the globe – again proving that this competition is one of the best in the world."
Bristol may well be playing their first Premiership match at Twickenham Stadium but the league season will kick off the day before at Kingsholm.
Gloucester have been given the honour of opening the new season at home to Leicester Tigers.
"If there's one thing that helps focus the mind for players and coaches during preseason training, it's knowing who you're going to be playing against to start the season," said David Humphreys, the Director of Rugby at Gloucester.
"And it doesn't get any better than opening up at home against Leicester Tigers. We had two incredibly hard-fought and close matches with them last season and we're looking forward to locking horns with them again.
"A Friday night game under the lights at Kingsholm will be a magnificent spectacle to start the Premiership season, and I've no doubt that our fantastic supporters will turn out in force to roar us on."
In what is expected to be the most competitive Premiership season on record the rest of the opening weekend presents fans with a series of mouth-watering fixtures.
On the first Saturday – alongside the London Double Header – Bath make the trip to the East Midlands to take on Northampton Saints.
Sunday's match sees last season's Premiership runners-up Exeter Chiefs make the trip to the Ricoh Arena to play Wasps, and Newcastle Falcons host Sale Sharks on Friday.
See here for full 2016/17 Premiership fixture list!
