The Malta Football Association yesterday published its calendar for the new season which kicks off in the third week of August.

This season will see many innovations with the Premier League and the First Division extended to twelve teams.

The Second and Third Division Leagues will also see some changes with both divisions now made up of fourteen teams each.

The U*BET FA Trophy will be played under a new format, similar to The FA Cup in England.

Other changes will be the use of m ore grounds, especially in the lower divisions.

The Premier League kicks off on Friday 19 August at 6.30pm at The National Stadium, with Birkirkara facing Qormi. The match will be followed by the clash between Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians.

The first day matches will continue on Saturday 20 August with two matches at Hibernians Stadium, with Marsaxlokk facing newly promoted Mosta, followed by the Floriana against Mqabba clash.

The First Division champions Balzan Youths will play their first match against Hamrun Spartans on Sunday 21 August at the National Stadium.

The first day round of matches will close with champions Valletta facing Tarxien Rainbows.

The first phase of the Premier League will come to an end on Monday 5 March with the clash between Balzan Youths and Tarxien Rainbows.

In the second phase the first six teams will play in the Promotion Pool, and the remaining six will play in the Relegation Pool.

The First Division League will kick off on Friday 9 September with the match between newly promoted sides St Patrick and Zejtun Corinthians.

The bulk of the First Division matches will be played at The Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun, with the rest of the matches distributed between the Centenary Stadium and the Luxol Stadium.

The First Division League will come to an end with the match between St George’s and Naxxar Lions on Sunday 13 May.

The Second Division League starts on Friday 16 September with Senglea Athletic facing Gzira United at The Centenary Stadium.

The last match will be between Zebbug Rangers and Mellieha on Sunday 13 May at the Sirens Ground.

Finally the Third Division League starts on Sunday 18 September with Mtarfa facing Pembroke Athleta at the Centenary Stadium, and comes to an end at the Sirens Stadium on Saturday 12 May, with Sirens hosting Swieqi United.

Apart from the National Stadium, Victor Tedesco Stadium, Centenary Stadium, and the Hibernians Stadium that hosted league matches till last season, other new stadiums will be introduced.

These are the Sirens Stadium, the Rabat Ajax Ground, the Luxol Stadium, and Charles Abela Stadium in Mosta.

All divisions will have the usual two-week break in the Christmas and New Year period.