Wrexham face a strong acid test of their Championship credentials on the first weekend of the season as they travel to Will Still's Southampton.
The Hollywood-sprinkled Welsh outfit will also face West Brom, Sheffield Wednesday, and Millwall in their opening games after promotion from League One.
Birmingham and Ipswich will open the Championship season on Friday August 8 at 8pm, with the hosts harbouring high hopes after their record-breaking third-tier triumph funded by Tom Brady.
While Southampton and Ipswich have been handed demanding starts - they play each other in the second fixture - fellow relegated side Leicester City have a gentler opening on paper.