That statistic is slightly skewed in that 11 of those seasons began with an MTN8 quarter-final, and by finishing in the top four, Pirates were guaranteed a home tie.
But it is also telling that the Premier Soccer League’s fixture computer has otherwise usually assigned them a home league fixture over the last two decades.
That will be the case this year as the Betway Premiership champions begin the defence of their title with what could be considered about as gentle an introduction as they could have hoped for.
The odd year out was fairly recent, as they began the 2023/24 season with an away league trip to Stellenbosch FC and lost 1-0 to Antonio van Wyk’s winner for the Winelands club.
Before that, the last time they started away from home was at the beginning of the 2006/07 season, when they travelled to Maritzburg United and lost 1-0.
Their opening matches in the previous 19 seasons have produced 11 wins, seven losses and a single draw, a 1-1 stalemate against promoted Highlands Park in 2018/19, which Milford will hopefully see as a good omen.
Here is a look at the last 19 opening games of a new season for the Buccaneers:
2025/26: Pirates hosted Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-finals and won 2-0, as Oswin Appollis scored against his former side on debut from the penalty spot and Patrick Maswanganyi got the second.
2024/25: Pirates were at home to SuperSport United in their MTN8 quarter-final and won 3-1, but only after the match went to extra time. The goals came from defender Olisa Ndah before half-time, and Monnapule Saleng and Evidence Makgopa in extra time.
2023/24: The season began with league action as Pirates went to Danie Craven Stadium and lost to Stellenbosch by a single goal, netted by Antonio van Wyk in the 42nd minute.
2022/23: Pirates began their campaign with a league derby at Orlando Stadium against Moroka Swallows, winning courtesy of a 10th-minute goal from giant Cameroonian striker Bienvenu Eva Nga.
2021/22: The MTN8 got the new campaign under way and Pirates lost 2-1 at Orlando Stadium to Swallows in their quarter-final tie, as Ruzaigh Gamildien scored two early goals and Bucs could not recover, even though Kabelo Dlamini pulled one back.
2020/21: There was a belated October start to the new season because the previous campaign had been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pirates won their MTN8 quarter-final by beating Cape Town City 1-0 at Orlando Stadium with a first-half goal from Terrence Dzvukamanja.
2019/20: Pirates were at home at Orlando Stadium in their first outing of the new campaign, a league clash against Bloemfontein Celtic that they won 3-1, with Augustine Mulenga, Innocent Maela and Frank Mhango all scoring.
2018/19: The league kicked off with league matches and Pirates were at home to promoted Highlands Park, who held them to a 1-1 draw. After Gladwin Shitolo scored an own goal, a penalty from Justin Shonga levelled matters for the Buccaneers at Orlando Stadium.
2017/18: Thamsanqa Gabuza scored the only goal as Pirates started their season with a home league clash against Chippa United at Orlando Stadium, which they won 1-0. It was the first time in 29 seasons that Pirates had not qualified for the top-eight competition, having finished 11th in the previous campaign under Swede Kjell Jonevret.
2016/17: A hat-trick from Tendai Ndoro saw Pirates start the new campaign with a 3-1 win at Orlando Stadium over Lamontville Golden Arrows, in a winning start for new coach Muhsin Ertugral, who would last only three months in the job.
2015/16: Ajax Cape Town travelled to Orlando Stadium and beat Pirates 1-0 in the MTN8 quarter-final, which marked the start of the new season. Ndiviwe Mdabuka netted the goal after 55 minutes.
2014/15: Daine Klate and Kermit Erasmus were on target as Pirates beat SuperSport United 2-1 at home in this MTN8 quarter-final.
2013/14: Pirates began with a home league fixture against AmaZulu, which they lost 1-0 in a stuttering start.
2012/13: Pirates edged Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 in this home MTN8 quarter-final, with an Andile Jali penalty enough for the win.
2011/12: Extra time was needed in this home MTN8 quarter-final as Pirates edged Santos 1-0 thanks to Siyabonga Sangweni’s goal.
2010/11: Pirates hosted Santos in an MTN8 quarter-final and won 2-1, with Isaac Chansa and Daine Klate scoring the goals.
2009/10: Ajax Cape Town came to Soweto for a home MTN8 quarter-final and won 2-1, with Katlego Mashego’s goal not enough for Pirates.
2008/09: Pirates went down 2-1 at home to SuperSport United in an MTN8 quarter-final, with Thembile Kanono on target.
2007/08: Pirates opened their league campaign with a 1-0 home loss to Soweto rivals Moroka Swallows, part of a difficult few weeks in which they lost four of their opening seven games, winning the other three.