What Happened to Wrexham AFC?
Wrexham AFC, the Welsh football club famously acquired by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021, has undergone a remarkable transformation, achieving three consecutive promotions from the National League to the EFL Championship by 2025. The club continues to grow its global brand, invest in infrastructure like the new Kop Stand, and finished a respectable 7th in the Championship in their 2025-2026 season, narrowly missing out on play-offs for Premier League promotion.
Quick Answer
Wrexham AFC, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has experienced a meteoric rise since their 2021 takeover, securing three successive promotions to reach the EFL Championship by 2025. In their first season back in the Championship (2025-2026), they finished 7th, their highest-ever league position, just two points shy of the promotion play-offs. The club is also heavily investing in redeveloping its Racecourse Ground stadium and continues to expand its global brand, with two players participating in the 2026 World Cup.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Announce Intent to Buy Wrexham AFC
Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney publicly announced their intention to purchase Wrexham AFC, a club in the fifth tier of English football, for approximately $2.5 million, outlining a vision to make it a "global force."
Takeover Officially Completed
Reynolds and McElhenney completed their takeover of Wrexham AFC from the Wrexham Supporters Trust, making a £2 million investment in the club.
Welcome to Wrexham Documentary Premieres
The documentary series 'Welcome to Wrexham', chronicling the actors' ownership and the club's journey, premiered, significantly boosting Wrexham's global profile and commercial appeal.
Promotion to EFL League Two
Wrexham won the National League title, securing promotion back to the English Football League (EFL) for the first time in 15 years, moving into League Two.
Promotion to EFL League One
Wrexham clinched their second consecutive promotion, moving from League Two to League One after a decisive 6-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers.
Welcome to Wrexham Season 3 Release
The third season of the popular 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary series premiered, covering the club's 2023-2024 League Two season and its push for promotion.
Promotion to EFL Championship
Wrexham secured a historic third successive promotion, finishing second in League One and earning a spot in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football.
Groundbreaking for New Kop Stand
Wrexham AFC officially broke ground on the redevelopment of the Kop Stand at the STōK Cae Ras, marking the start of full construction to increase stadium capacity to over 18,000 and achieve UEFA Category 4 compliance.
Minority Stake Sold to Apollo Sports Capital, Shareholder Loans Repaid
Wrexham sold a minority stake to US-based private equity firm Apollo Sports Capital. This investment facilitated the full repayment of all loans and interest owed to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Record Turnover Announced for 2024-2025 Season
Wrexham AFC filed its Annual Report, revealing a record turnover of £33.33 million for the year ended June 30, 2025, a 24% increase, despite an operating loss of £14.84 million due to investment in promotion.
Finishes 7th in EFL Championship
Wrexham concluded their 2025-2026 season in the EFL Championship in 7th place, their highest-ever league finish, narrowly missing out on the promotion play-offs by two points.
New Director Appointed, Kop Stand Construction Continues
Wrexham officially appointed Lee Solomon, a partner at Apollo Global Management, as a director, providing board representation for the minority investor. Construction on the new Kop Stand continues at a rapid pace, with major steelwork and terracing being installed.
Two Wrexham Players Compete in 2026 World Cup
Wrexham captain Dominic Hyam (Scotland) and wing-back Libby Cacace (New Zealand) are confirmed to be participating in the 2026 World Cup, bringing financial benefits and recognition to the club.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Wrexham AFC, one of the oldest professional football clubs in the world, was thrust into the global spotlight following its acquisition by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in February 2021. The duo purchased the club, then languishing in the fifth tier of English football (the National League), with a stated ambition to make Wrexham a "global force" and return it to the English Football League (EFL).
The ownership brought not only significant investment but also unprecedented media attention, largely fueled by the Emmy-winning documentary series "Welcome to Wrexham." This exposure dramatically increased the club's commercial revenue and fan base worldwide.
Under their stewardship and manager Phil Parkinson, Wrexham achieved its first major milestone by winning the National League title in the 2022-2023 season, securing promotion to EFL League Two. This was followed by a second successive promotion in the 2023-2024 season, finishing second in League Two and moving up to League One. The incredible ascent continued in the 2024-2025 season, where Wrexham finished runner-up in League One, achieving a historic third consecutive promotion to the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football, for the first time since 1982. This made them the first team in the history of England's top five football divisions to achieve three successive promotions.
The 2025-2026 season marked Wrexham's return to the Championship. Despite being their first season back in the highly competitive second tier, the club performed admirably, finishing 7th in the league, their highest-ever final position in the football pyramid, missing the play-offs by a mere two points. Financially, the club reported a record turnover of £33.33 million for the year ending June 30, 2025, a 24% growth, though it also incurred an operating loss of £14.84 million due to significant investment in staff and infrastructure. Post-June 2025, all shareholder loans from Reynolds and McElhenney were repaid following a minority stake sale to Apollo Sports Capital in December 2025.
As of June 2026, Wrexham is actively preparing for the 2026-2027 Championship season, with manager Phil Parkinson scouting for new talent at the 2026 World Cup. Significant progress is also being made on the redevelopment of the Kop Stand at the Racecourse Ground, a project expected to be completed during the 2026-2027 season, which will increase the stadium's capacity to over 18,000 and achieve UEFA Category 4 compliance. The club's global presence is further highlighted by two Wrexham players, Dominic Hyam and Libby Cacace, participating in the 2026 World Cup, bringing financial benefits and pride to the club.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Wrexham AFC made different choices?