Three of the opening weekend’s fixtures selected to appear live on Sky Sports
The 2017/18 fixtures for all three divisions of the Sky Bet EFL are now available to view online by visiting EFL.com or individual Club media channels.
From 9am this morning, supporters of all 72 Clubs were able to find out their team’s schedule for the whole of the upcoming campaign, which kicks off live on Sky Sports with Sunderland v Derby County at 7.45pm on Friday 4 August.
Saturday 5 August is the day when the majority of EFL supporters will see their Club’s season get underway, with 33 matches taking place at a traditional 3pm kick-off time across all three divisions. A full list of the opening weekend’s fixtures is outlined in Notes to Editors.
Steve Bruce will welcome his former side to Villa Park in the evening game on Saturday 5 August as Aston Villa host Hull City in a 5.30pm kick-off live on Sky Sports. The final game of the EFL’s opening weekend will see Bolton Wanderers make their return to the Sky Bet Championship as they host Leeds United at 4.30pm on Sunday 6 August.
Opening Sky Bet EFL matches selected for Sky Sports
Friday 4 August Sunderland v Derby County Kick-off 7.45pm
Saturday 5 August Aston Villa v Hull City Kick-off 5.30pm
Sunday 6 August Bolton Wanderers v Leeds United Kick-off 4.30pm
Throughout the course of the 2017/18 season, Sky Sports will exclusively show 127 live matches from the Sky Bet EFL season - including the Play-Offs - as well as 15 matches from the Carabao Cup and at least three from the Checkatrade Trophy.
As with 2016/17, the EFL and broadcast partner Sky Sports have again committed to give Clubs and supporters at least five weeks’ notice ahead of any EFL League matches being selected for live television coverage.
As part of the agreement, the EFL will publicly announce any fixture changes within three working days of their selection (following Club consideration) in order to give EFL supporters as much time as is possible to allow for any alterations to travel plans that may be required.
If both the EFL and Sky Sports are unable to meet this timeframe then the clubs involved have the ability to choose not to be broadcast live on television. However, if both Clubs mutually agree to the rescheduling of the fixture within this five-week period then the game will be televised on the new date.
CARABAO CUP
In addition to the opening Sky Bet EFL matches, the following ties from the Carabao Cup Round One draw have also been selected for broadcast live on Sky Sports.
• Wednesday 9 August Colchester United v Aston Villa Kick-off 7.45pm
• Thursday 10 August Bury v Sunderland Kick-off 7.45pm