Championship TV picks: How to watch the EFL's opening weekend

It's OK guys, you can stop pretending to care about pre-season. Proper football is back!

While there's another week until the Premier League graces our TV screens again, the mammoth EFL calendar means the Championship - as well as Leagues One and Two - gets underway this weekend.

While highlights will be easily accessible in the aftermath, those in the United Kingdom will be treated to four live Championship games on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 campaign.

Here's how you can tune in.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Southampton

• Location: Sheffield, England
• Stadium: Hillsborough
• Date: Friday 4 August
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 EST / 12:00 PST

2022/23 was nothing short of miserable for Southampton as they finished bottom of the pile in the Premier League. However, Russell Martin's arrival has sparked some optimism heading into 2023/24 as their young squad attempts to find stability in the second tier.

While a promotion push might be beyond them given their inexperience and likely exits in midfield, Martin will hope to oversee a promising campaign that lays some foundations.

Their season kicks off on Friday night in the Championship curtain-raiser away at Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls earned promotion from League One via the play-offs last season before curiously opting to part ways with manager Darren Moore.

How to watch on TV

Leicester vs Coventry

• Location: Leicester, England
• Stadium: King Power Stadium
• Date: Sunday 6 August
• Kick-off Time: 12:00 BST / 07:00 EST / 04:00 PST

The Enzo Maresca era hasn't exactly got off to the most prosperous of starts with Leicester's summer friendly schedule being hampered by monsoon season.

The Foxes were thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool in the build-up to their league opener, but there's no doubting that the Italian's side will be well worth a watch if he strikes the right balance. Leicester's squad remains talented and surely too good for the second tier, but getting out of the division is never easy.

They open their account against Coventry, who were beaten in last season's play-off final, at Sunday lunchtime.

How to watch on TV

Leeds vs Cardiff

• Location: Leeds, England
• Stadium: Elland Road
• Date: Sunday 6 August
• Kick-off Time: 14:30 BST / 09:30 EST / 06:30 PST

Another new manager is in town at Elland Road with former Norwich boss Daniel Farke now marauding the home dugout. Farke had plenty of success in the second tier with the Canaries, but the German struggled mightily with an undermanned squad in the top flight.

There's still plenty of work for Leeds to do on the outgoings front this summer, and it won't become clear of the tools at Farke's disposal for the upcoming campaign until the end of the transfer window. There's been little by way of incomings, although Ethan Ampadu could prove to be an excellent signing.

Farke's men are live on TV to open up their account as Cardiff come to town.

How to watch on TV

Sunderland vs Ipswich

• Location: Sunderland, England
• Stadium: Stadium of Light
• Date: Sunday 6 August
• Kick-off Time: 17:00 BST / 12:00 EST / 09:00 PST

The Championship's live billing for the weekend draws to a close at the Stadium of Light where Sunderland, play-off semi-finalists last time out, face Kieran McKenna's newly promoted Ipswich.

There are high hopes for both teams this season with a young Sunderland outfit maturing by another year, while Ipswich were dominant in League One. McKenna looks to be an excellent coach, and the Tractor Boys could emerge as one of the dark horses in the second tier.

Sunday's encounter is bound to be an intriguing one.

How to watch on TV