Wrexham's Path to Playoffs: Can They Outpace Their Championship Rivals?
Merely three seasons back, Wrexham were competing in the National League—the fifth division of English football.
Moving to the present day, the celebrity-owned team, under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has not only achieved three successive promotions to reach the Championship, but are now pursuing what seems impossible: A fourth straight promotion that would elevate them to the Premier League.
With approximately three-quarters of the 2025–26 campaign completed, Phil Parkinson's squad are actively competing for a playoff position—a result that would have appeared unrealistic at the season's beginning, particularly following a slow start that witnessed them claiming victory in only two of their initial 10 fixtures.
The final stretch remains distant, but the Championship is approaching a critical period where each point—and each goal—holds significance. Here's how Wrexham's upcoming five matches compare against those of their nearest playoff competitors.
Wrexham's Next Five Championship Fixtures
Wrexham's Next Five Championship Fixtures
Wrexham (6th, 47 Points) | Preston (7th, 47 Points) | Bristol City (8th, 46 Points) | Derby County (9th, 45 Points) | Birmingham (10th, 45 Points) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bristol City vs. Wrexham (Feb. 17) | Preston vs. Watford (Feb. 14) | Bristol City vs. Wrexham (Feb. 17) | Derby County vs. Swansea (Feb. 14) | Birmingham vs. West Brom (Feb. 10) |
Wrexham vs. Ipswich Town (Feb. 21) | Blackburn Rovers vs. Preston (Feb. 20) | Swansea vs. Bristol City (Feb. 21) | Watford vs. Derby County (Feb. 21) | Norwich City vs. Birmingham (Feb. 21) |
Wrexham vs. Portsmouth (Feb. 24) | Swansea vs. Preston (Feb. 24) | Blackburn Rovers vs. Bristol City (Feb. 24) | Hull City vs. Derby County (Feb. 24) | Milwall vs. Birmingham (Feb. 25) |
Charlton vs. Wrexham (Feb. 28) | Preston vs. Milwall (Feb, 28) | Bristol City vs. Watford (Feb. 27) | Derby County vs. Blackburn Rovers (Feb. 28) | Birmingham vs. Middlesbrough (Mar. 2) |
Watford vs. Wrexham (Mar. 7) | Preston vs. Oxford United (Mar. 6) | Bristol City vs. Coventry (Mar. 7) | Derby County vs. Sheffield Wednesday (Mar. 7) | Charlton vs. Birmingham (Mar. 7) |
Currently, Wrexham's most achievable path to the playoffs involves securing sixth place. Millwall, Hull City and Ipswich Town presently maintain a more substantial advantage above them, making a late climb into the top five improbable.
This positions Preston North End, Bristol City, Derby County and Birmingham City as Wrexham's primary competitors in the battle for the remaining playoff position.
Examining the upcoming five matches, the notable fixture for both Wrexham and Bristol City is their direct encounter on Feb. 17. Bristol City will enjoy home field advantage at Ashton Gate, but the Robins are experiencing a challenging period, having secured victory in just two of their previous six contests.
Additionally, Wrexham confronts a challenging match against Ipswich Town—whom they also encounter in the FA Cup fourth round one week prior—in what may become a crucial period for Phil Parkinson's team. Bristol City, meanwhile, faces a formidable fixture against league-leading Coventry City in early March.
Preston North End seems to have the most manageable schedule. Their most challenging encounter occurs against Millwall on Feb. 28, but the other four of their next five games are against clubs currently positioned below them in the standings, including faltering Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United.
Derby County's schedule is also reasonably favorable, with their only significant challenge occurring away at Hull City on Feb. 24. Birmingham City, conversely, encounters a much more demanding period, with in-form Millwall and Middlesbrough both approaching, plus a local rivalry match against West Bromwich Albion—never a straightforward occasion despite their relegation difficulties.
The Championship is famously ruthless. A positive sequence of results or a temporary decline can drastically alter the standings within weeks. For Wrexham, the aspiration will be to remain solidly in contention for what would represent a landmark promotion—although considerable football remains to be contested.