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Why is Portsmouth v QPR on TV? Kick-off time? Tickets and how to watch Championship opener Pompey welcome QPR to Fratton Park on Saturday to kick-start their Championship campaign. Why is Pompey v QPR on TV The new Championship gets underway on Saturday afternoon for Pompey, who welcome QPR to Fratton Park. Supporters unable to make the trip to PO4 this weekend will still be able to watch John Mousinho’s men in action, with the opener set to be televised despite it being a 3pm kick-off. That time slot usually bars matches in English football from being broadcast live under Uefa's Article 48, which allows nations to choose a two-and-a-half-hour period to prohibit live fixtures being shown - 2.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturday’s in the UK. Article 48 comes into action when at least 50 per cent of matches in the country’s top-two leagues take place between the ‘blocked hours’ and with no Premier League football as well as only six Championship fixtures during that period this weekend, every curtain raiser can be televised live. Can I get tickets? The Fratton faithful snapped up the 15,000 season ticket allocation in quick time earlier this summer, with supporters eager to catch a glimpse of Mousinho’s new-look side. Limited seats are still available to purchase on the club website should fans wish to make last-minute plans. The Championship curtain raiser will be close to full capacity at PO4, with visitors QPR also selling out their 2,197 allocation in the Milton End. Will it be on TV and can I stream it? Supporters unable to attend the action at Fratton Park on Saturday will be able to watch the contest unfold on Sky Sports. There will, though, be no in-depth coverage or studio analysis, with the opener set to be shown solely on Sky Sports+. Coverage begins from 2.55pm and can be found on the Sky Sports+ channel or the Sky Sports red button. Alternatively, a NOW TV membership can be purchased, with day passes to stream the match - as well as Sky Sports’ 12 other channels - available for £14.99. Supporters can also follow every Pompey game live on Pompey+, the club’s official streaming platform. UK-based fans can purchase an audio match pass for full live commentary. Overseas supporters can buy a video match pass to watch the game live. Simply visit: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/videos/subscriptions and select Match Passes - options will automatically appear based on your location. The News will, as usual, be providing extensive online coverage, with team news, a live blog, match report, player ratings as well as player and manager reaction stories on portsmouth.co.uk. Team news Pompey were hit with a significant injury blow in the build up to Saturday’s opener, with Mousinho confirming striker Thomas Waddingham will be set for a spell on the sidelines. The Aussie was withdrawn just minutes after his second-half introduction at West Ham having been on the receiving end of a poor challenge by Ollie Scarles. Franco Umeh is also expected to miss a prolonged period after tearing his hamstring during a pre-season friendly against Kuwait earlier this month. The winger joins Josh Murphy, Harvey Blair, Mark Kosznovszky, Marlon Pack, Jacob Farrell, Tayo Singerr and Connor Ogilvie in missing Saturday’s opener through injury. However, new signings Abu Kamara and Benjy Arthur could both feature at PO4 following their arrivals from Hull City and Brentford respectively. Glen Kamara could be included on the bench at Fratton Park as he builds up his match fitness following his loan switch from Rennes. The midfielder will likely be joined by Rumarn Burrell, Jonathan Varane and Paul Smyth, who all picked up knocks in pre-season but are fit to be included for Saturday’s opener. Referee The EFL have confirmed Will Finnie will be the man in the middle at PO4 this weekend and will be joined by Nigel Lugg, Michael Webb along with fourth official Craig Hicks. Finnie was in action last week, taking charge of Middlesbrough's 1-0 win over Wrexham in the first round of the Carabao Cup.