Wrexham vs Birmingham: Celebrity-Owned Clubs Clash in High-Stakes League One Showdown

WREXHAM, Wales — Two of English football’s most talked-about clubs, Wrexham and Birmingham City, will face off in a high-stakes League One clash on Thursday evening at the Racecourse Ground. The match, billed as the most expensive in League One history, pits Hollywood-owned Wrexham against Birmingham, backed by NFL legend Tom Brady and American businessman Tom Wagner.

Wrexham, owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are chasing a third consecutive promotion, while Birmingham, relegated from the Championship last season, are aiming for an immediate return. With just five points separating the two sides, the match carries significant implications for the promotion race.

Since Reynolds and McElhenney took over Wrexham in 2021, the club’s squad value has increased nearly sixfold, according to Transfermarkt. Their strategy of recruiting players from higher divisions has paid dividends, with key signings like Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, and Elliot Lee driving their rise. “We’ve brought players in who are used to the expectation of winning,” Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson told Sky Sports. “This is a different club to be at.”

Birmingham, meanwhile, have rebuilt under their new ownership, investing heavily in the squad. Last summer, they signed 13 first-team players for a reported £20 million, including striker Jay Stansfield for a League One record fee of over £15 million. Manager Chris Davies said his team is now more settled than when they first faced Wrexham in September. “We were a team just forming at the time,” Davies told Sky Sports. “We’ve come a long way since then.”

Both clubs have seen significant financial growth off the pitch. Wrexham’s turnover rose from £5.97 million in 2021-22 to £10.47 million last season, driven in part by the global success of the “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary. Birmingham, backed by a £58 million cash injection, have plans to build a new stadium and continue their push for promotion.

The Racecourse Ground, with a capacity of 13,341, is expected to be packed for the match. Wrexham’s average attendance this season is 12,869, the fifth-highest in League One. The club is also redeveloping the Kop stand, with plans to increase capacity to 50,000 in the future.

Thursday’s match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Football, with kickoff at 8 p.m. GMT. Both teams will be looking to make a statement in what promises to be a pivotal moment in the League One season.