COLCHESTER United begin the new League Two season with a trip to play Bradford City.

The U's travel to play the Bantams at Valley Parade, on September 12.

Steve Ball's side will be hoping to get their league programme off to a good start.

The League Two season will begin behind closed doors, with fans not scheduled to return until October.

However, U's supporters will still be able to watch the Bradford game - and others that immediately follow - online.

Sky Sports and the EFL have come to an agreement that will ensure league matches are either available for broadcast or streaming whilst access to matches is restricted.

While the doors remain shut to fans, or with limited spectators allowed through the turnstiles, an arrangement is in place whereby all matches that are not shown live on Sky Sports will be available to stream by clubs on iFollow (or club equivalent service), for a match pass price of £10.

In addition, Season Ticket holders will, under the newly agreed framework, be provided access to all home games, subject to the agreement of the club where the supporter holds a season ticket.

The match by match streaming and season ticket offer is a temporary measure that has only been put in place whilst clubs operate at a zero or reduced capacity as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It will be subject to regular review with the first set for early October.

Subject to clubs choosing to provide access to season-ticket holders this is only available if supporters purchase their 2020/21 ticket, by October 4.

Colchester's Carabao Cup first-round tie at Championship club Reading will also be eligible to stream, on September 5.

These will only be available on a match pass basis at £10.

EFL chief executive David Baldwin said: “There is no argument that attending live matches is what the League, its Clubs and fans want to see and, clearly, the overriding objective is to get supporters back into stadiums as soon as it is safe to do so.

"In the meantime, this framework allows our Clubs, if they so wish, to reward their most loyal supporters by providing what we hope is only short-term access to watch their matches.

“It’s important that whilst the doors remain fully, or part shut, we ensure there is the ability for fans of all EFL Clubs to be able to gain access and watch their team and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sky Sports for their support in this matter.

"Collectively, it’s not our preferred situation but given the circumstances COVID has presented us it gives us a temporary option whilst we finalise our plans for fans returning.”

League Two clubs are able to stream any match not shown live on Sky to fans who purchase individual match passes for £10.

The new framework for season-ticket holders allows clubs to have the option to also stream all home matches, including those shown live on Sky.

Clubs cannot provide access to any away match, live on Sky or not, within a season ticket package.