Leicester City begin Championship return with Coventry City clash

The Foxes were joined by Leeds United and Southampton in losing their Premier League status in May, and all three teams have been handed interesting opening fixtures on the first weekend in August.

Enzo Maresca's first game in charge will be at the King Power Stadium in an encounter versus the Sky Blues, who will be motivated to bounce back from the heartbreak of their playoff final defeat to Luton Town on penalties.

Leeds United - currently without a manager - have been given a Elland Road showdown with Cardiff City, while Southampton will make the trip to Hillsborough to square off against newly-promoted Sheffield Wednesday.

Meanwhile, League One champions Plymouth Argyle will go up against Huddersfield Town, who are managed by one of their former managers in Neil Warnock.

Ipswich Town mark their return to the second tier with a trip to face Sunderland, while Blackburn Rovers go up against West Bromwich Albion in the other standout tie of the opening weekend.

In League One, Wigan Athletic - who will begin the season with points deduction - will travel to Pride Park to take on Derby County.

Relegated Blackpool have been provided with a home clash with Burton Albion, with Reading going up against losing playoff finalists Peterborough United.

Wrexham's highly-anticipated return to League Two will start with an intriguing home showdown with MK Dons, who were relegated from League One in 2022-23.

The National League playoff winners Notts County will travel to Sutton United, and 2021-22 champions Forest Green Rovers will meet Salford City in another eye-catching match from the first weekend.

Each fixture will take place between August 4 and August 6, some of the highlighted games expected to be moved for television coverage.