Who Owns Wrexham Football Club?
Wrexham A.F.C. is owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The pair purchased the historic Welsh club in 2020, aiming to revive its success and global popularity. Their ownership has brought major investment, worldwide media attention, and a new era of growth for Wrexham.
Who Owns Wrexham AFC in 2026?
As of 2026, Wrexham A.F.C. is primarily owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The duo bought the club in 2021 through their company and remain the majority owners, although a few minority investors have joined the ownership group in recent years.
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds is a Canadian actor, producer, and entrepreneur best known for starring in the Deadpool films. In 2021, he partnered with Rob McElhenney to purchase Wrexham AFC and help transform the club’s global image. Reynolds has played a major role in marketing, investment, and attracting international attention to the team through media projects like the Welcome to Wrexham documentary.
Rob McElhenney
Rob McElhenney is an American actor, writer, and producer best known for creating and starring in the TV show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He co-founded the ownership group that bought Wrexham AFC and works closely with Reynolds to manage the club’s long-term strategy, including investments in players, facilities, and community programs.
Minority investors—including business partners and investment groups—also hold small stakes in the club, but Reynolds and McElhenney remain the main controlling owners of Wrexham.
Wrexham Ownership Structure Explained
The ownership of Wrexham A.F.C. is organized through a structured business setup that allows investors to manage the club efficiently. While the main ownership is controlled by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, several key entities oversee operations.
Wrexham Holdings LLC
Wrexham Holdings LLC is the primary company that officially owns Wrexham AFC. Created by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to complete the purchase in 2021, this entity manages the club’s finances, capital investments, and long-term growth strategy.
RR McReynolds Company
The RR McReynolds Company represents the direct partnership between Reynolds and McElhenney. It oversees the management and commercial operations of the club, including global branding, strategic partnerships, and media projects like the "Welcome to Wrexham" series.
Minority Investors
Several minority investors have joined the group over time, providing additional financial support and business expertise. These partners help expand the club’s global presence, improve stadium facilities, and strengthen the team’s competitive position in the English Football League.
How Much Did Reynolds Pay for Wrexham?
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased Wrexham A.F.C. in 2021 for approximately £2 million (about $2.5–$2.6 million).
The club was bought from the Wrexham Supporters Trust, which had owned and operated the team before the Hollywood investors took over. Since the initial purchase, the owners have invested millions more into the squad, stadium infrastructure, and the local community.
Who Owned Wrexham Before 2021?
2011 – 2021: Fan Ownership EraBefore the takeover by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham A.F.C. was owned by the Wrexham Supporters Trust. The supporters’ trust took control of the club in 2011 after years of financial instability and ownership problems.
In 2020, the trust members voted overwhelmingly to approve the sale of the club to Reynolds and McElhenney. The deal was finalized in February 2021, ending nearly a decade of fan ownership and starting a new era of investment and global attention for Wrexham.
Why Did Ryan Reynolds Buy Wrexham?
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased Wrexham A.F.C. with the goal of transforming the historic club and sharing its story with a global audience. Their vision combined a passion for football, community development, and innovative entertainment marketing.
- Reviving a Historic Underdog: As one of the oldest professional football clubs in the world (founded in 1864), Wrexham offered a rich history. The owners saw an opportunity to rebuild a struggling institution and return it to its former glory within the English football league system.
- The Power of Storytelling: Through the Emmy-winning documentary Welcome to Wrexham, they aimed to showcase the emotional highs and lows of the club and its community. This "story-first" approach turned local fans and residents into global stars.
- Global Brand Growth: By leveraging their celebrity status, they attracted massive international sponsors like United Airlines, TikTok, and HP—partnerships usually reserved for top-tier Premier League giants.
- Community & Legacy: The purchase was built on four guiding principles: protecting the club's heritage, reinforcing community values, growing global exposure, and fostering a winning culture on the pitch.
A Sustainable Long-Term Investment
While it began as a passion project, it has become a savvy business move. By 2026, the club's valuation has skyrocketed from the initial £2 million purchase price to several hundred million pounds, driven by three consecutive promotions and a massive surge in global merchandise sales.
Wrexham’s Growth After the Takeover
Since the takeover by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham A.F.C. has experienced a transformation that is literally unprecedented in English football history. By 2026, the club has evolved from a fifth-tier underdog into a global sports brand competing in the EFL Championship.
| Metric | 2021 (Purchase) | 2026 (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| League Tier | National League (5th) | EFL Championship (2nd) |
| Estimated Valuation | £2 Million | £350M+ |
| Stadium Capacity | ~10,000 | 18,000+ (Post-Kop) |
| Annual Revenue | ~£2.5 Million | £26M+ |
Global Media Powerhouse
The Emmy-winning documentary Welcome to Wrexham has been the engine of this growth. For the first time in English football history, a club below the Premier League has generated over 50% of its commercial revenue from outside Europe, largely driven by North American merchandise sales and high-profile sponsorships with brands like United Airlines and HP.
Infrastructure & Infrastructure
As of 2026, the club is completing the massive redevelopment of the Kop Stand at the STōK Cae Ras. This project not only restores the stadium to a four-sided configuration but also upgrades the venue to UEFA Category 4 compliance, enabling Wrexham to host international matches for the first time in decades.
On the pitch, the investment has paid off spectacularly. Wrexham became the first team in English football history to achieve three consecutive promotions, moving from the National League to the Championship in record time. The valuation of the club is now estimated between £350 million and £475 million, representing a nearly 20,000% return on the original investment.
Wrexham Ownership Timeline
The ownership history of Wrexham A.F.C. has evolved significantly over more than 160 years. Here is the definitive timeline of the major ownership periods that shaped the club.
Early Private Ownership
From its founding at the Turf Hotel in 1864, Wrexham was managed by various private owners and local business figures. For over a century, the club operated as a traditional football organization with leadership passing through several local families and entrepreneurs.
Financial Struggles & Administration
This was the most turbulent decade in the club's history. Under the ownership of Alex Hamilton and Mark Guterman, the club faced eviction from the Racecourse Ground and entered administration in 2004—becoming the first Football League club to suffer a 10-point deduction for financial insolvency.
The Fan Ownership Era
The Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) took control in 2011 after fans raised over £100,000 in a single day to save the club. For nearly a decade, the club was run as a 100% community-owned model, stabilizing the finances and laying the groundwork for the Hollywood interest.
The Hollywood Ownership Era
In February 2021, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney officially completed the purchase through RR McReynolds Company LLC. Since the takeover, Wrexham has achieved historic back-to-back-to-back promotions and reached an estimated valuation exceeding £350 million as of early 2026.
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