Birmingham City has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent months, and the atmosphere around St Andrew's reflects that change. More than 20,000 season tickets have already been sold for the upcoming Championship campaign, with an additional 14,000 supporters waiting for a chance to join the queue.
Fan zones have sprung up around the stadium, turning the neighbourhood into a bustling hub of excitement and anticipation. The club’s leadership has set out an ambitious blueprint to reconnect the city of Birmingham – England’s second largest metropolis – with the football team that carries its name. The goal is to unlock the full potential of the club and position it as a genuine contender for promotion to the Premier League. Supporter groups are now forming across the globe, a phenomenon that can be traced back to the high-profile arrival of Tom Brady, whose presence has sparked worldwide interest.
Everywhere you look, the conversation revolves around building a side that is ready for top‑flight football. Given the lofty aspirations of the owners and a fan base that has been starved of success for years, it is no surprise that the Blues feel a sense of urgency. Excitement naturally breeds expectations, both from within the club and from the broader football community. There is a palpable belief that Birmingham is on an upward trajectory, yet the reality is that progress in the highly competitive Championship rarely happens overnight.
In hindsight, last season may have been less a setback and more a period of consolidation. To put the recent performance into perspective, one must travel back to the 2011‑12 campaign, when Birmingham qualified for European competition and finished higher than the 10th‑place finish achieved in 2025‑26.
That historical comparison underscores how far the club has come and how much further it still needs to go. "It was our first season back, which people found hard to remember at times," manager Chris Davies told Sky Sports ahead of the opening league fixture against Sheffield United.
He was not referring to the supporters – "they have been great" – but to the broader footballing community that is watching Birmingham’s evolution. Davies carries the weight of many hopes and ambitions on his shoulders. "One thing I learned is that I can handle the pressure," he continued. "I can manage the highs and the lows." The lows have been few, especially after Birmingham clinched the League One title with a record‑breaking 111 points, a campaign defined by dominant possession football.
The step up to the Championship proved far more demanding. "You can study the Championship, but experiencing it is something entirely different," Davies admitted. The second tier of English football presents distinct challenges, and the strategies that worked in League One did not always translate seamlessly. Their original game plan – a high‑pressing, possession‑based approach – was effective at times but struggled against more physical opponents, particularly away from home.
During the pre‑season, the club showcased its new recruitment philosophy by signing a blend of technically gifted players and physically robust additions. The arrival of August Priske, a 22‑year‑old Danish target man, in January proved pivotal.
Priske scored the decisive goal in a hard‑fought Carabao Cup victory over Swansea, a match in which Birmingham held only 39 % of possession but still managed to find the net. His impact was evident earlier as well, when he opened the scoring against Barcelona in front of a packed St Andrew's. "Jhon Solis, Carlos Vicente and August arrived together, and those six months have been their apprenticeship in English football and the Championship. They have all adapted brilliantly," Davies praised.
Vicente, a combative Spanish winger, provided the assist for Priske’s goal against Swansea, while Solis, a Colombian midfielder, also found the net against Barcelona and quickly became a fan favourite for his energy and tenacity. Reflecting on the previous season, Davies identified physicality as the missing piece for the next step forward. "The modern game relies heavily on man‑to‑man pressing and set‑piece proficiency.
You need the stamina and strength to compete in those areas," he explained. This insight guided the club’s summer transfer activity. In addition to the winter signings, Birmingham secured the services of centre‑back Dael Fry, a 6‑ft‑4‑in defender with close to 300 Championship appearances. Fry’s experience is expected to bolster the back line and provide a steadying influence.
Davies emphasised that the aim is to build on the existing style rather than abandon it entirely. "When you have a team that can retain possession, it is easier to switch to a more pragmatic or direct approach when needed, rather than being forced to adopt a purely direct style from the outset," he noted.
The shift toward a more flexible tactical framework began toward the end of the last campaign. In mid‑April, Birmingham found themselves 17th in the table. The brief international break provided an opportunity for Davies to experiment with a more direct, transition‑focused game plan.
The team responded positively, finishing the season with a five‑match unbeaten run that secured a top‑10 finish and restored confidence heading into the summer. "We have to strike a balance.
We don’t want to lose the qualities that have served us well, like our pressing game," Davies said. "Last season, no other Championship side consistently matched our press, and it was a key strength." Looking ahead, the manager expects further refinements once the team regains possession.
"We want to use the ball as a weapon, moving it forward quickly and winning more set‑pieces," he added. To that end, Birmingham have appointed specialist set‑piece coach Scott Fry.
Davies believes that dead‑ball situations can be a decisive factor in a promotion push. The impact of this focus is already evident.
Solis scored a goal directly from a set‑piece against Barcelona, while Priske’s winner against Swansea originated from a dead‑ball routine that saw Vicente deliver a precise cross. "Our target is to increase our goal tally from set‑pieces. Last season the top six clubs each scored around 70 goals, whereas Birmingham managed 57.
If we can add 13 more, we will be in the promotion mix," Davies explained. He broke down the maths: "If six or seven of those extra goals come from set‑pieces and a couple from quick counter‑attacks, we only need a few more from open play. It is entirely achievable." The confidence within the squad has grown. Many players entered the Championship with little or no experience at that level, but after a full season they now understand the rigours of away fixtures at venues such as Millwall.
At the training ground, Davies has stripped away the buzzwords that once adorned the walls, opting for a no‑nonsense, leaner mentality that mirrors the squad’s evolving identity. Off the pitch, the club has also seen changes. Long‑time director of football Craig Gardner has departed, with the experienced Mike Rigg stepping into a more prominent advisory role.
Commercially, Birmingham continues to expand, boasting the highest revenue among Championship clubs without relying on parachute payments. In summary, Birmingham City stands at a pivotal juncture.
The foundations laid over the past two seasons – a record‑breaking title win, strategic signings, tactical flexibility, and an emphasis on set‑piece excellence – have positioned the Blues for a serious promotion challenge. As Davies put it, "I am confident we can keep progressing.
The key is to keep moving forward and getting stronger."