Wrexham's Hollywood Revolution by the Numbers

A breakdown of the incredible statistics behind the Welsh club's remarkable rise under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's ownership

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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In the five years since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham, the Welsh club has undergone a remarkable transformation, with three promotions, record-breaking attendances, and a hit documentary series chronicling their journey. This story examines the incredible numbers behind Wrexham's Hollywood-fueled resurgence.

Why it matters

Wrexham's transformation under Reynolds and McElhenney's ownership has captivated soccer fans around the world, showcasing the power of celebrity ownership and the ability of a determined team and community to achieve remarkable success against the odds. The club's rise has implications for the future of smaller, community-driven teams and the growing influence of Hollywood in the sport.

The details

Since Reynolds and McElhenney's takeover in 2021, Wrexham has broken numerous club records, including the transfer fee paid for a player (£7.5 million for Ipswich Town forward Nathan Broadhead), the cost of a new pitch (£1.7 million), and the capacity crowd for a pre-season friendly (50,596 at Chapel Hill's Kenan Stadium in North Carolina). The club has also seen its average league attendance reach a record high of 12,781 last season, and plans are in place to expand the Racecourse Ground's capacity to 28,000. Wrexham has won 161 of the 279 games played under the new ownership, scoring 541 goals and amassing a goal difference of +248.

  • In February 2021, Reynolds and McElhenney paid £1 to buy Wrexham from the Supporters Trust, plus a promise to invest £2 million.
  • In January 2022, Wrexham broke their transfer record by paying £300,000 for striker Ollie Palmer.
  • In July 2023, Wrexham played their first pre-season friendly on U.S. soil, drawing a capacity crowd of 50,596 at Chapel Hill's Kenan Stadium in North Carolina.
  • In the 2022-23 season, Wrexham earned a record 111 points to win the National League title.
  • In January 2022, a 30-second clip of manager Phil Parkinson's half-time dressing-down of the players at Yeovil Town, featuring 11 uses of the word 'f***ing', went viral.

The players

Ryan Reynolds

Canadian actor and co-owner of Wrexham AFC.

Rob McElhenney

American actor and co-owner of Wrexham AFC.

Paul Mullin

Wrexham striker who has scored a club-record 110 goals over the past five years.

Ollie Palmer

Wrexham striker who has scored 46 goals for the club since joining in 2022.

Ben Foster

Wrexham goalkeeper who made a crucial penalty save against Notts County in a match that lasted 97 minutes.

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What they’re saying

“Is the grass human hair?”

— Ryan Reynolds (Welcome to Wrexham)

“Most people don't know this because of his football, but Paul trained for eight years with the Royal Shakespeare Company. They still talk about his Prospero…”

— Ryan Reynolds (The Athletic)

What’s next

Wrexham will look to book a return trip to Wembley Stadium for the Championship play-offs in May, hoping to secure promotion to the second tier of English football.

The takeaway

Wrexham's remarkable transformation under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has captivated soccer fans around the world, showcasing the power of celebrity ownership and the ability of a determined team and community to achieve success against the odds. The club's rise has implications for the future of smaller, community-driven teams and the growing influence of Hollywood in the sport.