Albion will kick-off in the Championship just as they wanted to - by playing at The Amex.

Doncaster Rovers are the visitors for the historic first league fixture at the Seagulls' new stadium on August 6.

It is the perfect start for Gus Poyet's League One champions, giving them a chance to get early points on the board against a side expected to struggle.

It will also suit supporters worried about an inconvenient date or time change for live TV coverage, since Doncaster are unlikely to be a big enough draw to attract the BBC or Sky.

And it is a poignant fixture, since Doncaster were the final visitors to Albion's last permanent home, The Goldstone, back in 1997.

Four of the first six games are at The Amex, including the first night match against Gillingham in the Carling Cup and visits by relegated Blackpool and promoted Peterborough.

Their first away game on August 13 is a tasty South Coast derby at Portsmouth, which is followed three days later by a trip to Cardiff.

Fans will have an eye on the home game against arch-rivals Crystal Palace on September 27, especially after top scorer Glenn Murray's controversial move there.

Palace arrive three days after the first glamour fixture at The Amex against Poyet's old club Leeds.

October is tough with tests against the other two teams relegated from the Premier League, West Ham and Birmingham, plus journeys to Ipswich and Millwall.

Albion will not be in action at the new stadium for more than a fortnight over the Christmas period, between Burnley's visit on December 17 and Southampton's on January 2.

They make the short trip to Reading on Boxing Day and have been sent to Coventry on New Year's Eve.

The return clash with Palace is at Selhurst Park on January 31.

The penultimate away match is against West Ham at Upton Park on April 14, the last home game against Birmingham a week later.

Albion finish the season as they start it, against another unfancied Yorkshire club, with a trip to Barnsley on April 28.

Read Albion's fixture list for 2011/12 in full

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