The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsToday, the EFL released the fixtures for the upcoming season. Here is the key dates in the Championship, League One and League Two:
Championship:
Relegated Newcastle United begin life in the Championship with a trip to former Premier League side Fulham on Friday 7 August.
Aston Villa, under new management in the shape of former West Brom and Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo, travel to Sheffield Wednesday in their first second tier match for 28 years, whilst Norwich City begin their campaign at Blackburn Rovers.
Burton Albion, who feature in the second tier of English football for the first time in their history, make the short distance to Nottingham to face former European champions Forest on Saturday 8 August.
League One Champions Wigan Athletic travel to Bristol City, whilst play-off winners Barnsley begin their campaign at Ipswich Town.
Boxing day will see former European champions Villa welcome Burton Albion to Villa Park, where the visitors featured in non-league just seven years ago.
League One:
Bolton Wanderers begin life back in the third tier of English football for the first time in 25 years with a home game against Sheffield United.
League Two winners Northampton Town begin their campaign at home to Fleetwood Town, whilst Michael Appleton’s Oxford United begin life in League One with a home game against Chesterfield.
AFC Wimbledon, who won promotion to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history, will face fierce rivals MK Dons at the Stadium:MK on December 10, with an opening day trip to Walsall. The other promoted side, Bristol Rovers, are also on the road at Scunthorpe United.
Rochdale are at home to Peterborough United on the opening day; a fixture that has been the same for the third successive season.
League Two:
Troubled Blackpool begin life in League Two with a home game against Exeter City, just five seasons after suffering relegation from the Premier League.
Also relegated from League One were Doncaster Rovers, who travel to Accrington Stanley, a side that finished 4th last time out in League Two.
Cheltenham Town bounced back to the football league at the first attempt, and the National League Champions welcome Leyton Orient, whilst Grimsby Town host Morecambe.
Carlisle face the long trip to Portsmouth on the opening weekend, before hosting Plymouth Argyle the following weekend, who themselves welcome Luton Town to Home Park in their opening game.
Relegated Crewe travel to Stevenage, whilst Colchester United travel to Hartlepool United.
The first meeting between Portsmouth and Blackpool, relegated from the top flight in 2010 and 2011 respectively, comes on Saturday, 27 September at Bloomfield Road.
