MATCHES being moved from the traditional 3pm slot on a Saturday afternoon will become the norm if Wrexham's success story continues.
The Reds have become a global sensation since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their takeover at The Racecourse in February 2021 and there has been a lot to cheer about on the pitch with the club clinching back-to-back promotions under Phil Parkinson.
With Wrexham flying high in League One and Sky Sports this year agreeing a new broadcast deal to show even more EFL matches, it was only natural that there would be an increase in Reds' matches selected for live coverage in the latest wave of television picks,
Five games - Birmingham City at home and away fixtures at Reading, Shrewsbury Town, Northampton Town and Mansfield Town - have been chosen early in the new year and the new dates and kick-off times have not gone down well in all quarters.
Two of those matches have been moved to a Thursday evening, two have been brought forward to a 12.30pm kick-off on a Saturday with the other switching to 3pm on a Sunday.
Wrexham's latest TV picks cover the period from January 11 through to February 24 so just three other Reds' fixtures during that spell have a 3pm kick-off on a Saturday - Stevenage at home, Crawley away and Leyton Orient at home.
Of course, football is no long exclusive to 3pm kick-offs on a Saturday and games being switched is also the price of success.
If the excellent form continues and Wrexham are still in the promotion mix at the end of February then you can expect more Reds' matches to be selected for live coverage in the final two months of the season.
Changes won't suit every supporter but at least compared to the National League, there is a commitment on announcing television fixtures in advance so supporters' travel plans aren't disrupted too much.
Should Wrexham complete an unprecedented third promotion in a row and reach the Championship then don't be surprised if 3pm kick-offs on a Saturday become even more scarce.
* These are new dates and kick-off times for five Wrexham games early in the new year.
Saturday January 11, 2025 – 12:30PM (GMT) – Reading vs Wrexham (Sky Sports+)
Thursday January 16, 2025 – 8PM (GMT) – Shrewsbury Town vs Wrexham (Sky Sports Football)
Thursday January 23, 2025 – 8PM (GMT) – Wrexham vs Birmingham City (Sky Sports Football)
Saturday February 15, 2025 – 12:30PM (GMT) – Northampton Town vs Wrexham (Sky Sports+)
Sunday February 23, 2025 – 3PM (GMT) – Mansfield Town vs Wrexham (Sky Sports Football)
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