The fixtures for the 2022-23 EFL season are finally out, with some mouth-watering games in store first up.
To kick off the new campaign, recently-relegated Burnley face a tough task away at Huddersfield Town. The Terriers were beaten play-off finalists last season, losing out to Nottingham Forest in the Wembley showpiece back in May.
The clash at the John Smith's Stadium is the curtain-raiser for the new season, and also Vincent Kompany's first game as Clarets' boss. It will be televised live on Sky Sports on Friday, July 29. Kick-off is 8pm. The following day sees Norwich City, who were also relegated from the Premier League, travel to Cardiff City in one of eight 3pm kick-offs.
Middlesbrough versus West Brom is a 5.30pm kick-off, with newly-promoted Sunderland hosting Coventry on Sunday, July 31 at 12pm.
The first batch of fixtures is rounded off with Watford, the other side demoted from the top flight, hosting Sheffield United on Monday, August 1 at 8pm.
In League One, Derby County begin their first season in the third tier since 1986 with a home game against Oxford United first up.
Elsewhere, other relegated sides Barnsley and Peterborough are both on the road away at Plymouth Argyle and Cheltenham Town respectively. Forest Green Rovers, who sealed the League Two title last term, begin their first-ever season at this level with an away game at fellow promoted side Bristol Rovers. It will be a first competitive game in the dugout for boss Ian Burchnall who takes over from Watford-bound Rob Edwards.
The other two promoted sides are Exeter City, who face Lincoln away first up, and Port Vale, who host Fleetwood Town.
Sheffield Wednesday face Portsmouth at Hillsborough in a repeat of the final day game from last season.
In League Two, Stockport County will host Barrow at Edgeley Park on the opening day in their first EFL game for 11 years. Grimsby Town, who earned an immediate promotion back to the fourth tier by beating Solihull in the play-off final, face a long trip to Leyton Orient for their first game of the season.
There is a Yorkshire derby on the first day with Mark Hughes' Bradford City welcoming relegated Doncaster Rovers, whilst two of the bookmakers' favourites for promotion meet on day one with Salford City hosting Mansfield Town.
Opening weekend fixtures in EFL (3pm unless stated)
Championship
Friday, July 29
Huddersfield Town v Burnley (8pm)
Saturday, July 30
Blackburn Rovers v Queens Park Rangers
Blackpool v Reading
Cardiff City v Norwich City
Hull City v Bristol City
Luton Town v Birmingham City
Middlesbrough v West Bromwich Albion (5.30pm)
Millwall v Stoke City
Rotherham United v Swansea City
Wigan Athletic v Preston North End
Sunday, July 31
Sunderland v Coventry City (12pm)
Monday, August 1
Watford v Sheffield United (8pm)
League One
Saturday, July 30
Accrington Stanley v Charlton Athletic
Bristol Rovers v Forest Green Rovers
Cambridge United v Milton Keynes Dons
Cheltenham Town v Peterborough United
Derby County v Oxford United
Ipswich Town v Bolton Wanderers
Lincoln City v Exeter City
Morecambe v Shrewsbury Town
Plymouth Argyle v Barnsley
Port Vale v Fleetwood Town
Sheffield Wednesday v Portsmouth
Wycombe Wanderers v Burton Albion
League Two
Saturday, July 30
A.F.C. Wimbledon v Gillingham
Bradford City v Doncaster Rovers
Carlisle United v Crawley Town
Harrogate Town v Swindon Town
Leyton Orient v Grimsby Town
Northampton Town v Colchester United
Rochdale v Crewe Alexandra
Salford City v Mansfield Town
Stockport County v Barrow
Sutton United v Newport County
Tranmere Rovers v Stevenage
Walsall v Hartlepool United
