Wrexham has made headlines with its financial results for the 2024-25 season, marking a historic achievement by clinching a third consecutive promotion in English soccer. A significant revenue increase of 25% to £33.3 million ($44.3 million at current exchange rates) reflects the club’s upward trajectory, showing an incredible 28-fold growth since celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over in the 2020-21 season.
Achieving three straight promotions is unprecedented among English soccer clubs in the top five divisions since 1888. Wrexham last reached the second tier of English soccer in the 1981-82 season and currently stands seventh in the EFL Championship standings.
However, the financial landscape is complex. While revenues have surged, the club reported record losses of $20.2 million, which is 458% higher than the previous season’s loss. The promotion to The Championship brought increased costs, including a wage bill that soared by 81% due to new player contracts and staff bonuses. Furthermore, a $5 million exceptional write-off related to a suspended sponsor, Argentex, added to the financial strain.
In relation to its counterparts, Wrexham shines as a commercial powerhouse among second- and third-tier U.K. soccer clubs. The documentary “Welcome to Wrexham” may not contribute directly to revenue, but it significantly enhances the club’s brand and commercial opportunities.
During the 2023-24 season, Wrexham generated $29.8 million in revenue from sponsorships and retail, slightly surpassing Brentford’s commercial revenue for the 2024-25 season after their first-ever promotion to the Premier League in 2021. Remarkably, Wrexham’s commercial revenues outpaced those of five Premier League clubs.
Nevertheless, the Premier League’s elite clubs dominate the commercial landscape. Each of the Big Six generates at least ten times more than Wrexham, with Manchester City leading the pack at $452 million in commercial revenue for the 2024-25 season.
Wrexham’s financial breakdown includes $7.9 million from matchday revenue and $4.5 million from broadcast rights. Expectations are high for the current season, with revenues expected to surpass $60 million as the club benefits from increased broadcast payouts in The Championship. Additionally, renovations are underway at the Racecourse Ground stadium, which will raise capacity to 18,000.
Recent financials submitted to Companies House reveal that the $37 million loan owed to The R.R McReynolds Company LLC and Red Dragon Ventures LLC has been repaid. This development signifies that the club is no longer burdened by loans from its shareholders, following a minority stake purchase by private equity firm Apollo Sports Capital in December.
