There’s a buzz of excitement in the air around Wrexham right now with a season in the Championship coming up, but what happens if it all doesn’t quite go to plan?
After Wrexham secured their place in the Championship and a spot in the second tier for the first time in 43 years, many have speculated about what the immediate and long-term future holds for the club.
While fans are dreaming of yet another promotion, the more pragmatic neutrals out there would suggest Wrexham could be proud of merely avoiding relegation and establishing themselves in the Championship.
We predict a comfortable midtable finish for Wrexham in 2025/26. Still, it’s foolish to rule out the unthinkable, worst-case scenario of relegation, so we did some digging into what that would actually mean for the Red Dragons.
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What happens if Wrexham are relegated in 2025/26?
The Wrexham Insider exclusively spoke to finance expert Adam Williams about where Wrexham would stand, financially, if the club were to suffer relegation next season. Thankfully, it wouldn’t be a disaster.
Williams said: “On the off chance that Wrexham are relegated, the numbers in the accounts and all that we know about the owners’ readiness to provide external funds suggests they would be absolutely fine financially.
“The drop-off between the Championship and League One in terms of TV revenue is about £6-7m in the first year. They could easily absorb that hit with their commercial income, which is rising fast. It was £13.2m at the last count in 2023-24, when they were in League Two.
“It will have risen again in 2024-25 and will do so again in 2025-26. In the Championship, they will be looking at about £20m. That would have been one of the biggest in the second tier last season.”
It’s not just the general Championship revenue Wrexham can expect, though. The club is actively making changes to maximise its potential across the board, including work on the Racecourse Ground.
On this, Williams added: “They’ve also got long-term projects in the works with the expansion of the stadium. That’s going to significantly grow matchday income. They will be hoping that leads to sustained higher matchday income regardless of what division they’re in, though it would inevitably come down a bit if they were relegated. So on paper, they would be fine.
“I think where the risk is, is with their brand and their international following. They have built up so much momentum with back-to-back-to-back promotion and that has helped fuel their commercial surge. But football is a fickle business and, while I’m sure there are many of the fans in the US who are committed, some might lose interest.
“As with all matters Wrexham, there isn’t really a precedent here. So we’re sort of doing guesswork in terms of how it would affect the brand and the buzz around the club in a worst-case scenario. Either way, I think the ambition they are showing gives them a very good chance of survival and potentially much better than that.”
Ryan Reynolds wants Wrexham in the Premier League within the next ten years. Obviously, relegation would hinder those plans, but at least we know the club would be in a strong position regardless.
The state of play for Wrexham in the Championship
There is every reason to be positive about Wrexham’s chances of success in the second tier next season. With a decent squad already and what appears to be an aggressive transfer plan for the summer, the playing staff shouldn’t be an issue.
Wrexham fans will be slightly wary of Phil Parkinson’s Championship record, but it’s worth noting his past spells in the division have come with clubs that were already struggling, and did not have anywhere near the financial muscle Wrexham do.
The Red Dragons will be looking at the likes of Ipswich and Norwich, who have achieved consecutive League One and Championship promotions in the past. In many ways, aiming high could be the key for Wrexham, while also knowing deep down that staying in the division is the most important thing.
Wrexham will have a points target in mind for next season, of course. But, if we’ve learned anything about the club in the last four years, it’s that they love to prove people wrong, and that could well be the driving force once again in 2025/26.