Here we go. The wait is almost over. Who's ready for another season?

Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman has been speaking to Sky Sports about debutants Jamie Ward and Matt Mills:

"They're both good, experienced players in this division. I'm hoping they'll bring the quality and desire to defend that we need.

"I'm delighted with the business we've done but I'm still looking to get more signings in.

"We've freshened the squad up a little bit with new faces. We've prepared very well in terms of fitness over pre-season. We're feeling very confident."

Image source, Getty Images

Bobby Zamora may not be playing for Brighton tonight, but he got a great reception when he was introduced to Brighton's fans a few moments ago.

You sense that he is one summer signing who will prove to be an instant hit at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton has been speaking to Sky Sports about new signing Bobby Zamora, who is not involved tonight:

"He's a wonderful signing. He wouldn't be up to speed with where the other players are. We're just assessing the very quick progress he can make.

"He's in good shape, but probably not enough to risk him tonight.

"The only thing we've changed tonight is the shape a little bit. We'll work that 4-4-2 system the best way we can. We think we know what we're going to be up against today."

Brighton: Stockdale; Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Bong; March, Stephens, Kayal, LuaLua; Hemed, Baldock.

Subs: Maenpaa, Calderon, Rea, Rosenior, Forster-Caskey, Ince, O'Grady.

Nottingham Forest: De Vries; Lichaj, Mancienne, Hobbs, Mills, Fox; Lansbury, Antonio, Tesche; Ward, Blackstock.

Subs: Evtimov, Paterson, Vaughan, Walker, Burke, Riera, Grant.

The Amex Stadium portrays the classic August-match scene at the moment. Short-sleeved replica shirts are aplenty.

Conditions look perfect, and Brighton's new signing Bobby Zamora has just been introduced to the home fans.

Some thoughts from both managers in a second, but first, a reminder of tonight's team news...

Image source, Getty Images

The Football League rarely fails to deliver a story. Take last season, for example.

There was Bournemouth's rise, Derby's demise, Wigan's relegation woe, Blackpool's off-field turmoil, Bristol City's brilliance and joy for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at Burton.

What stories should we be looking out for in 2015-16? Read Phil Cartwright's Football League preview.

Tonight's game is the first of 1,671 matches to be played in the Football League this season.

BBC Sport will provide written match reports of every Championship, League One and League Two game throughout the season, as well as live text commentaries of selected fixtures.

Cardiff City v Fulham and Leeds United v Burnley are our featured matches on Saturday, and that's followed on Sunday by Preston North End v Middlesbrough. On both days, our live text coverage begins at 11:45 BST.

The battle for promotion looks to be just as wide open as it ever has been, and with more television revenue on offer for reaching the top flight next season, it's perhaps more important than ever to go up.

How much are clubs willing to risk spending to reach the Premier League?

Championship sides are sacrificing short-term profit in order to chase a lucrative place in the top division, according to new research.

Only 12% of Championship clubs surveyed expect to make a profit in 2015-16.

Neither of these two teams finished the 2014-15 season in the best of form, both failing to win any of their last seven games, with Nottingham Forest's winless run stretching to eight matches.

Tonight's hosts Brighton have not won a league game at home since beating Derby 2-0 on 3 March. Visitors Forest have not won on the road since a 3-0 victory at Reading on 28 February.

Image source, Adrian Harms / BBC Sussex

We love a good stat at BBC Sport, and here's a decent one to start the new season with - BBC local radio stations will provide about 2,500 commentaries during the 2015-16 campaign.

BBC Sussex and BBC Radio Nottingham are broadcasting live from the Amex Stadium this evening.

Unfortunately, a rights issue prevents us from streaming Football League commentaries on the BBC Sport website.

However, you can listen to both station's pre-match programmes by clicking on the Live Coverage tab at the top of the page.

Image source, Getty Images

So, Brighton fans have to wait a little longer before welcoming back former England striker Bobby Zamora, who is back at the club 12 years after leaving to sign for Tottenham.

He's not the only player back in familiar colours this weekend. On Sunday, Stewart Downing is likely to be back in a Middlesbrough shirt for the first time in six years.

Which former player would you welcome back to your club with open arms? Let us know using #bbcfootball on Twitter.

A colleague in my office, who shall remain nameless, still believes Neil Redfearn could do a decent job in Barnsley's midfield - even though Redfearn is now aged 50.

Image source, BBC Sport

Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman gives debuts to defender Matt Mills and striker Jamie Ward. Michail Antonio, linked with Premier League sides during the summer, also starts for the visitors.

Image source, BBC Sport

There's no place in the squad for Bobby Zamora, but there is a Brighton debut for another new signing - Israel international striker Tomer Hemed starts up front alongside Sam Baldock. Another new signing, Cameroon defender Gaetan Bong, is included at left-back.

The first game of the new Championship season sees Brighton & Hove Albion host Nottingham Forest at The Amex Stadium tonight.

Both of these teams will be desperate to get off to a good start, after disappointing seasons last time around.

Over the next 10 months, there will be countless twists and turns in what promises to be another fiercely-competitive Championship campaign.

But there are few things quite as reassuring as kicking things off with a win, are there?

Image source, Getty Images

Just 74 days ago, Norwich City beat Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final at Wembley to bring down the curtain on the 2014-15 season.

Since then, it's been a summer packed full to the brim with signings, fresh faces and a sensational session from Stuart Broad.

But tonight, the Football League is back!