Watford FC’s opening fixture of the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship season, against Queens Park Rangers, has been reversed and will now be played at Vicarage Road on Saturday August 5, the club confirms.

With the Hornets’ support, the EFL have agreed to QPR’s request for the change, due to extensive pitch renovation works at their Loftus Road home. The switch means that the Hoops will host Valérien Ismaël’s charges in the sides’ corresponding fixture, on Saturday January 13.

As a result, Watford’s first away trip of the fresh league campaign will be to Stoke City (Saturday August 19), with new Head Coach Ismaël now due to take charge of his first match at The Vic a week earlier than the visit of Plymouth Argyle on Saturday August 12.

All four Championship clashes in January are now set to take place away from home, while a date for the annual ‘Graham Taylor Matchday’ - traditionally held close to the anniversary of GT’s January 2017 passing - will be confirmed in due course.

All of Watford’s 2023/24 league fixtures remain subject to change, with EFL broadcast selections - excluding the opening weekend - set to be announced in due course.

Elsewhere, a date for the Golden Boys’ visit to Stevenage in the first round of the Carabao Cup has been confirmed. The Hornets will travel to the Lamex Stadium on Tuesday August 8, with the match set to kick off at 7.45pm.

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