The Tigers will kick off with a home game against Fulham on August 16 before trips to Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United sandwich the visit of Wigan Athletic to the KC Stadium.

It means Phil Brown's side, who entertain Manchester United at home on the final day, will face three of the clubs who flirted with relegation last season in their opening quartet of games, raising hopes that Hull's chances of avoiding the drop can be boosted by a positive start.

The publication yesterday of the fixtures for the top four divisions of English football means supporters of all eight Yorkshire clubs competing in next season's Football League can plan their winter with highlights including Doncaster Rovers travelling to Derby County on August 9 for their first game in the second tier since 1958 and the scheduling of the two Sheffield derbies in October and February.

It was, however, those whose loyalty lies with the Tigers who were the most excited when the fixtures were released at 10am thanks to the mouth-watering prospect of trips to Old Trafford, the Emirates Stadium, Anfield and Stamford Bridge in the coming year.

Chairman Duffen told the Yorkshire Post: "Seeing the name of Hull City in the fixture list for the Premier League gave me a warm and cosy feeling. It is fabulous.

"Regardless of the division, the important thing for any team is getting some points on the board as early as possible. So, in that respect, it is perhaps better to not be playing too many sides from the big four. Or even the top 10.

"Of course, we know there are no easy games at this level, but the first few weeks do give us a chance to collect some points.

"After those early weeks, it does not really matter when you play clubs as we have to play everyone twice anyway.

"Having said that, we do have some tough runs such as the six back-to-back fixtures against the bigger clubs in the middle of the season.

"That will be a real challenge, as will be our final game at home to Manchester United.

"But, overall, if I had been asked to give my ideal fixture list ahead of publication then I would pretty much have been happy with what we have got."

Hull's first meeting with any of the 'Big Four' comes on September 27 with a trip to Arsenal, while back-to-back games at home to Chelsea on October 28 and at Manchester United four days later will be the ultimate test for Brown's men.

Other highlights include a trip to Liverpool on December 13 and Stamford Bridge on February 7, while there are two midweek visits to the capital –
West Ham on January 27 and Fulham on March 4.

It is, however, another trip to London that Hull chairman Duffen is most eagerly anticipating.

The boyhood Spurs fan said: "For me personally, going to Spurs in October just a week after visiting Arsenal will be special. I have been in the directors' box at White Hart Lane before when I sponsored a couple of games, but to go there as the visiting chairman will be a very, very proud moment for me.

"What I will say, though, is there will be no split loyalty – I want the three points to be coming back to Hull."

The publication of the fixture list always brings the forthcoming season into sharper focus with the thoughts of supporters inevitably turning to squad strengthening.

Hull are yet to make any signings, though talks are on-going with a number of targets including Plymouth Argyle's Peter Halmosi.

Duffen added: "Our preparations for the Premier League have been going on since we won the play-off final and I have been very encouraged by how discussions over potential targets have gone.

"I anticipate this summer being very much like last year in that most of our transfer activity takes place in July."

The Premier League season will finish on its latest ever date of May 24, three weeks after the end of the Football League campaign and the same Bank Holiday weekend as the play-off finals take place.

All fixture dates are subject to change with Hull's home game against Everton in September and the trip to Spurs in October each likely to be put back 24 hours due to their opponents' involvement in the UEFA Cup.