Otago will begin another bid to win the Plunket Shield for the first time since 1987-88 with an away game against Central at the end of October.
New Zealand Cricket released the draw for the four-day competition yesterday.
Draws for the limited-overs competitions will follow in the coming weeks.
The Volts have just one game at home in the first half of the season - against Northern at the University Oval starting on December 11.
They host games in Invercargill and Queenstown in February before two home fixtures in Dunedin in March.
Three full rounds will be played in October and December, with the rest of the competition played from early February.
NZC announced it had locked in a format for the domestic season for the next four years.
''Our major associations told us certainty of scheduling was crucial, so this season's format will be in place for the next four years,'' domestic cricket general manager David Cooper said.
''It's a key outcome from the domestic cricket review, which is all about maximising entertainment and commercial opportunities, and supporting high performance.''
The domestic women's schedule has also been released.
One-day and twenty20 competitions will be played across six weekends, with three matches played each weekend.
The teams will play a twenty20 on the Friday, before consecutive one-day matches on the Saturday and Sunday.
There will be a two-week break between rounds two and three to accommodate the women's under-21 tournament at Lincoln.
Two outright finals will be played following the regular season, with the two top-placed teams from each format meeting in the deciders.
The Otago Sparks, defending their one-day title, open their season with an away clash with Auckland at the end of November.
They play Northern in Alexandra (January 2-4), and have one other home fixture at a venue to be determined.
Plunket Shield
Otago's home games
December 11-14: v Northern, University Oval.
February 6-9: v Central, Invercargill.
February 28-March 3: v Wellington, Queenstown.
March 9-13: v Auckland, University Oval.
March 25-28: v Canterbury, University Oval.
