Wrexham’s Meteoric Rise: From Fifth to Second Division

In a remarkable turn of events, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have propelled Wrexham AFC from England’s fifth division to the second division in just three years. The Hollywood duo purchased the Welsh club in February 2021 and have since made significant investments both on and off the field. This strategic approach has resulted in three consecutive promotions for Wrexham, moving them from the National League to the Championship.

The club’s commercial success has been bolstered by partnerships with major brands such as United Airlines, TikTok, and Reynolds’ Aviation Gin, largely due to the popularity of the documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham.’ These deals have helped increase Wrexham’s revenue from £2.5 million ($3.3 million) in 2019 to £10.5 million (nearly $14 million) in 2023.

Despite these gains, financial expert Kieran Maguire estimates that Reynolds and McElhenney have incurred losses of up to £20 million ($26.6 million) since acquiring the club. Speaking on the Price of Football podcast, Maguire noted that between November 2020 and 2023, they lost approximately £8 million ($10.6m), even with international sponsorships boosting the club’s profile.

Maguire highlighted that some players were earning double the average National League wages, attracting talent willing to drop divisions for lucrative contracts at Wrexham.