Wolves retain Category One academy status after scare

Wolves have retained their Category One academy status for the 2026/27 season after having it at risk of being revoked.

The club were in ongoing dialogue with the Professional Game Academy Audit Company (PGAAC) and Men's Professional Game Committee (MPGC) after concerns were raised over facilities and infrastructure around pitches, classrooms and changing rooms.

The quality of coaching, education, sports science, medical provision and player care was not been raised as a concern, but the club were still at risk of being downgraded to Category Two.

Wolves responded by committing £700,000 to meet regulations on dressing room and classroom space for the upcoming season in the hope of retaining Category One status, and they have also pledged £10million towards a plan to retain that top class status going forward.

Planning permission has already been submitted for that £10million development, which would be completed by the summer of 2027.

With the money already committed and those plans submitted, the governing bodies decided this week to allow Wolves to retain their Category One status, subject to the completion of the proposed additions to facilities.

The deterioration of the academy came under the watch of former club chairman Jeff Shi and it is understood new chairman Nathan Shi and Wolves’ leadership team view the academy as crucial and they are committed to continued investment in it.

Wolves’ academy staying at Category One means they remain in the highest classification and will not have reduced funding from the Premier League, can continue to access higher tiers of youth development and will not have the same geographical restrictions on recruiting young players as those academies in Category Two.