How to follow the EFL opening weekend on the BBC

The EFL returns on Friday with the start of the 2024-25 season and BBC Sport will be across it all to share the drama with you.

The action is spread across four days of the opening weekend with four games on Friday, 30 on Saturday and one apiece on Sunday and Monday.

There will be comprehensive coverage online and on local radio as relegated trio Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United return to the Championship while Bromley enjoy their first taste of EFL football in League Two.

And, for the first time, all 36 opening matches across the three divisions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports with the Saturday 3pm blackout lifted.

Our live text service begins on Friday afternoon at 14:30 BST as we start to build-up to the four games taking place in the evening.

There will be prospects and analysis of every club in the Championship, League One and League Two from our team of BBC Local Radio reporters to set the scene for what is to come.

The action will then continue across the rest of the weekend.

Friday, 9 August:

1430-1930: Club-by-club live text season preview featuring all 72 EFL clubs

1930-2230: EFL live text of four games including Preston v Sheffield United and Blackburn v Derby

Saturday, 10 August:

1200-2000: All-day live text – Championship (all 12:30 BST); League Two (all 15:00); League One (all 17:30)

Sunday, 11 August:

1530-1830: Live text of Sheffield Wednesday v Plymouth (Wayne Rooney’s first game as Pilgrims boss)

Monday, 12 August:

1930-2230: Live text of Luton v Burnley (a meeting between two sides relegated from the Premier League)

We are used to football being shown at all hours these days, but there is one period when this does not apply.

Uefa’s Article 48 dictates that no live football can be broadcast between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on a Saturday afternoon during the regular season.

The idea behind the rule is that supporters of EFL and non-league clubs are not tempted to stay at home and watch live football on the television instead of going to a match.

However, this Saturday the blackout is being lifted for the EFL with the Premier League season not starting until next Friday.

But there are only 11 League Two matches kicking off in the traditional 3pm slot, with the bulk of Championship games being played at lunchtime and all but one League One matches at 5.30pm.

The move coincides with the launch of Sky Sports+ service, a new TV channel designed to promote the EFL.

It marks the start of a new five-year broadcasting deal between the EFL and Sky Sports.

There will be four times as many matches broadcast live, with every club in the EFL to be shown live at least 20 times per season.

As well as our live text service online, BBC Local Radio offers a comprehensive service.

EFL rights restrictions mean there will be no online commentaries of matches, but fans can listen to commentaries from the radio stations in their local area.

Stations will follow their respective clubs up and down the country for the next nine months to keep across the highs and lows of the season.

Many stations also have their own dedicated podcasts to discuss all things about their clubs.