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An historic Welsh club turned Hollywood curiosity is now in the second tier of English football, one step away from the Premier League, as Wrexham AFC have concluded their first Championship season just shy of the playoffs for promotion to the top flight.
The 2020 story that actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were bidding to invest in Wrexham, a now-161-year-old club that had been out of the Football League since 2008, was not some sort of prank — and the Red Dragons have catapulted up the pyramid.
Wrexham won promotion to the League Two in 2023, backing it up with promotions to League One in 2024 and the Championship last season. This season saw them in contention for a playoff spot right up until the season’s final moments. Unfortunately for the Reds, they’ve finished two points behind Hull City thanks to a draw versus Boro.
So how did this all happen? And what do you need to know about Wrexham AFC?
Wrexham AFC history — How old are they? Where do they play?
Wrexham were formed in 1864 and are the oldest club in Wales and one of the oldest football clubs in the world. Notts County and Sheffield FC claim earlier starts among activ e clubs.
The club is one step away from the Premier League after winning promotion from League One last season, the most recent of three successive promotions.
The Red Dragons had never played higher than the Football League Third Division from their founding until 1978-79, and this season in the Championship is as high as the club have ever made it in the Football League.
Wrexham play their matches at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham, Wales.
Can Wrexham AFC win promotion to the Premier League?
The Championship slate is grueling, and Wrexham first had to assert its safety in the second tier before concerning itself with a historic move to the Premier League.
The Red Dragons were not quiet in the transfer mill. Conor Coady and Danny Ward aren't the only Premier League-experienced players on the roster, while a number of Championship-hardened players also joined the team in Lewis O'Brien, Josh Windass, and Kieffer Moore.
Wrexham also bought Liberato Cacace from Empoli, and already had Lewis Brunt, Matty James, James McClean, and Jack Marriott in the fold.
The oddsmakers named Wrexham a preseason outsider to reach the playoffs — not bad given their history. And they finished as the first outsider, seventh on the table and two points off the final playoff spot.
Wrexham AFC 2025-26 season schedule
Championship fixtures and results
August 9 — at Southampton — Lost 2-1
August 16 — vs West Brom — Lost 3-2
August 23 — vs Sheffield Wednesday — Drew 2-2
August 30 — at Millwall — Won 2-0
September 13 — vs QPR — Lost 3-1
September 20 — at Norwich City — Won 3-2
September 27 — vs Derby County — Drew 1-1
September 30 — at Leicester City — Drew 1-1
October 3 — vs Birmingham City — Drew 1-1
October 18 — at Stoke City — Lost 1-0
October 22 — vs Oxford United — Won 1-0
October 25 — at Middlesbrough — Drew 1-1
October 31 — vs Coventry City — Won 3-2
November 5 — at Portsmouth — Drew 0-0
November 8 — vs Charlton Athletic — Won 1-0
November 22 — at Ipswich Town — Drew 0-0
November 26 — vs Bristol City — Won 2-0
November 29 — vs Blackburn Rovers — Drew 1-1
December 6 — at Preston North End — Drew 1-1
December 10 — at Hull City — Lost 2-0
December 13 — vs Watford — Drew 2-2
December 19 — at Swansea City — Won 2-1
December 26 — vs Sheffield United — Won 5-3
December 29 — vs Preston North End — Won 2-1
January 1 — at Blackburn Rovers — Won 2-0
January 4 — at Derby County — Won 2-1
January 17 — vs Norwich City — Lost 2-1
January 20 — vs Leicester City — Drew 1-1
January 24 — at QPR — Won 3-2
January 31 — at Sheffield Wednesday — Won 1-0
February 7 — vs Millwall — Lost 2-0
February 17 — at Bristol City — Drew 2-2
February 21 — vs Ipswich Town — Won 5-3
February 24 — vs Portsmouth — Won 2-1
February 28 — at Charlton Athletic — Won 1-0
March 10 — vs Hull City — Lost 2-1
March 14 — vs Swansea City — Won 2-0
March 17 — at Watford — Lost 3-1
March 21 — at Sheffield United — Won 2-1
April 3 — at West Brom — Drew 2-2
April 6 — vs Southampton — Lost 5-1
April 11 — at Birmingham City — Lost 2-0
April 18 — vs Stoke City — Won 2-0
April 21 — at Oxford United — Won 1-0
April 25 — at Coventry City — Lost 3-1
May 2 — vs Middlesbrough — Drew 2-2
FA Cup
January 9 —vs Nottingham Forest — Won 3-3 (4-3 PKs)
Feb. 13 — vs Ipswich Town — Won 1-0
March 7 — vs Chelsea — Lost 2-4 aet — Recap, highlights
League Cup
August 12 — first round vs Hull City — Won in penalties 3-3 (5-3)
August 26 — second round at Preston North End — Won 3-2
September 23 — third round vs Reading — Won 2-0
October 28 or 29 — fourth round vs Cardiff City — Lost 2-1
