Albion's opening game of the season at home to Nottingham Forest has been brought forward for live television coverage on Sky.

Forest's visit to the Amex will now be staged on Friday August 7 (7.45pm) instead of the following day at 3pm.

It means the Seagulls will launch the English season across all four divisions including the Premier League.

Chief executive Paul Barber has welcomed the switch. He said: "It's a great privilege and honour to be chosen as the opening game of the season for live TV.

"The visit of Nottingham Forest is always going to be a big game at any time of the season, and is obviously evocative of our end to the season two years ago with Leo Ulloa’s great goal.

"Forest fans travel well, we're hoping for a full house, and a Friday night under the lights at the Amex in the summer months will be a special occasion.

"So we’re hoping people turn out in great numbers and we’re looking forward to showing the country what this stadium looks like when it’s full and rocking."


The dates of two other home matches have also been changed.

The festive fixture against Ipswich has been put back 24 hours to Tuesday December 29 (7.45pm).

Fulham's visit later in the season has been advanced a day to Friday April 15 (7.45pm) to avoid clashing with preparations for the Brighton Marathon.

None of Albion's away games have been changed but the club has warned fans all fixtures are subject to alteration.