With the wait almost over the NI Football League are proud to announce that three of the opening weekend’s games will be televised.

Starting with the Coleraine v Ballymena derby on Friday night being streamed live on the BBC, attentions then turn to Linfield v Cliftonville on Saturday at 5.30pm also on the BBC, in what will be Jim Magilton’s first league game in charge against David Healy’s men.

We close the weekend on Sky Sports at Inver Park on Monday night at 7.45pm to see Larne start their title defence against Dungannon Swifts.

The move is to ensure as many people as possible have access to the Sports Direct Premiership, this has been made possible by the support of the BBC and Sky Sports.

CEO Gerard Lawlor stated. “To open the league with this much attention is fantastic for all football fans in Northern Ireland and beyond, we want to keep growing the fantastic product that is the Sports Direct Premiership and with the continued support of BBC and Sky Sports we intend to do that. Expect more big games on television this season as well as NIFL YouTube streams of the Championship and PIL, plus what is shaping upto to be a very exciting end to the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership”.

More televised games will be announced in the coming days via NI Football League digital channels.