Why was Brighton & Hove Albion’s opening-round match scheduled for Sunday at 14:00?

Brighton & Hove Albion’s opening-round match was scheduled for Sunday at 14:00 because of the UEFA Conference League qualification play-offs.

Brighton were due to participate in a Conference League qualifying play-off on the preceding Thursday. Moving their Premier League match to Sunday reduced the turnaround between European and domestic fixtures.

The match was Brighton versus Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium, and Brighton won 4–0. The result became the biggest home win of the opening round and gave Brighton an immediate goal-difference advantage.

The scheduling decision illustrates how European competition affects Premier League fixture times. The league also moved Manchester City versus Bournemouth to Sunday at 14:00, while Newcastle United versus Liverpool followed later that afternoon.