Cardiff and Wrexham set for first league meeting in 24 years
Cardiff City host Wrexham on Monday night in their first league fixture in 24 years, as Cardiff return to the Championship following relegation last season. The match has drawn global attention, including from Wrexham's growing North American fanbase.
The opening weekend of the new Championship season will close with a much-anticipated Welsh derby, as Cardiff City host Wrexham at Cardiff City Stadium on Monday night. The two sides have not met in a league fixture since March 2002, when Cardiff won 3-2 in front of nearly 16,000 spectators. This time, attendance is expected to be almost double that figure.
Cardiff return to the Championship after finishing bottom of the division last season, and many observers expect them to struggle again this term. Wrexham, meanwhile, narrowly missed out on a top-six finish last season after three consecutive promotions took them into the second tier.
Managers on both sides, Wrexham's Phil Parkinson and Cardiff's Brian Barry-Murphy, described the buzz surrounding the fixture as unusual for this stage of the season. Barry-Murphy said his priority remains Cardiff's supporters and the club's Malaysian owner, rather than the international attention drawn to Wrexham through its Hollywood ownership.
Wrexham's rise in profile, particularly in North America, has been driven largely by a documentary series about the club. Former Wrexham manager Denis Smith said having a club of Wrexham's stature in north Wales is important for football in the region.
The two clubs already met once this season, in the EFL Cup fourth round, where Cardiff secured a surprise 2-1 away win at Wrexham. Both managers, however, downplayed its relevance to the league campaign, describing the new season as an uncertain one for both clubs.
Wrexham defender Zak Vyner, who faced Cardiff regularly during his time at Bristol City, said the fixture represents a significant early test and one both clubs are eager to embrace.
