Wrexham AFC: History, Rise and Championship Football

Wrexham AFC is one of the most historically significant football clubs in Wales. Founded in 1864, the club is the oldest professional football club in Wales and is recognised by the club as the third-oldest professional football club in the world. Its home is the Racecourse Ground, known as STōK Cae Ras, in Wrexham, North Wales.

For a Cardiff audience, Wrexham AFC has particular relevance because the club competes in the English Football League system alongside Cardiff City. The relationship between the two clubs gained renewed attention in August 2026 when Wrexham and Cardiff met in the EFL Championship in a Welsh derby.

Wrexham’s modern identity combines historic Welsh football traditions with rapid sporting and commercial growth. The club returned to the EFL in 2023, reached the Championship in 2025, and entered the 2026/27 season as a Championship club.

What is Wrexham AFC?

Wrexham AFC is a professional football club from Wrexham, North Wales, founded in 1864. The club competes in the English Football League, represents a major Welsh football tradition, and plays home matches at the historic STōK Cae Ras stadium.

Wrexham Association Football Club, commonly called Wrexham AFC or simply Wrexham, was established in 1864 by members of Wrexham Cricket Club. The original purpose was to provide a winter sporting activity and maintain physical activity among young people in the town.

The club is known by the nickname the Red Dragons, reflecting its Welsh identity and the dragon imagery associated with Wales. Its traditional home colours are predominantly red.

Wrexham is based in North Wales but competes within the English football pyramid. This is an important structural feature of the club. Welsh clubs such as Wrexham and Cardiff City operate within the English professional league system, while the Football Association of Wales governs football in Wales.

The club’s competitive identity therefore crosses both Welsh and English football structures. Wrexham’s league fixtures, EFL regulations and English domestic competitions form an important part of its modern sporting framework.

For supporters in Cardiff, Wrexham is especially relevant because Cardiff City is also an established Welsh club competing in the English professional system. Their meetings provide a direct connection between two major football cities in Wales.

When was Wrexham AFC founded?

Wrexham AFC was founded in 1864 by members of Wrexham Cricket Club. The club began as a winter sporting organisation and developed into Wales’s oldest professional football club, establishing a continuous football identity across more than 160 years.

The foundation of Wrexham AFC predates the creation of many structures associated with modern football. The Football Association was founded in England in 1863, one year before Wrexham AFC was established.

The club therefore emerged during the formative period of organised football in Britain.

Its early development was connected to Wrexham Cricket Club and the broader Victorian interest in organised sport. Football provided an activity during the winter months when cricket was not being played.

The club’s foundation date is central to its identity. Wrexham AFC officially describes itself as the oldest professional football club in Wales and the third-oldest professional football club in the world.

The number 1864 remains an important part of the club’s branding. It appears across official merchandise, commemorative designs and supporter products.

The longevity of the club also gives Wrexham a substantial historical record. Its history covers football played before the establishment of the modern league pyramid, the development of professional football, periods outside the Football League, and its eventual return to the EFL.

Why is Wrexham AFC historically important?

Wrexham AFC is historically important because its 1864 foundation makes it Wales’s oldest professional football club. Its history includes major FA Cup performances, FA Trophy success, long service in English football and a dramatic return to the EFL.

Wrexham’s historical importance extends beyond its foundation date.

The club has repeatedly participated in the major stages of English domestic football. Although Wrexham is Welsh, its competitive history is closely connected to English football competitions.

One of the club’s most notable achievements came in the FA Cup. Wrexham reached the quarter-finals in 1974, 1978 and 1997, demonstrating its ability to compete successfully against clubs from higher divisions.

The 1978 FA Cup campaign produced one of the most recognised victories in the club’s history. Wrexham defeated Arsenal 2–1 at the Racecourse Ground in the third round. Arsenal entered the match as reigning league champions, making the result one of the competition’s notable giant-killings.

The FA Trophy also forms an important part of Wrexham’s history. Wrexham won the competition in 2013, defeating Grimsby Town after a 1–1 draw following extra time and a 4–1 penalty shootout.

Wrexham reached the FA Trophy final again in 2015 but lost to North Ferriby United on penalties after a 3–3 draw following extra time.

These competitions established Wrexham as a club with a significant record in English cup football.

How did Wrexham AFC return to the Football League?

Wrexham AFC returned to the English Football League in 2023 after winning promotion from the National League. The promotion ended a 15-year absence from the EFL and began a rapid sequence of successive promotions.

Wrexham spent 15 seasons outside the EFL after relegation from League Two in 2008.

The club eventually secured promotion from the National League during the 2022/23 season. Wrexham’s return to the EFL was confirmed in April 2023 after a successful campaign in the fifth tier of English football.

The promotion was significant because it restored Wrexham to the professional Football League structure.

The following season produced another major achievement. Wrexham secured promotion from League Two to League One in 2024.

The club then continued its progress in League One. Wrexham secured promotion to the Championship on 26 April 2025, completing three consecutive promotions across three seasons. The EFL confirmed the promotion after Wrexham’s League One campaign.

This sequence transformed Wrexham’s competitive position.

The club moved from the National League to the Championship in three seasons. That progression placed Wrexham alongside established Championship clubs and increased the level of competition faced each week.

Who owns Wrexham AFC?

Wrexham AFC is owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who completed their takeover of the club on 9 February 2021 after receiving approval through a supporters’ vote. Their ownership began the club’s modern global expansion.

Ryan Reynolds is a Canadian-American actor and producer, while Rob McElhenney is an American actor, writer and producer. Their involvement brought international attention to Wrexham.

The takeover was confirmed on 9 February 2021 following a supporters’ vote.

The ownership structure became closely associated with the documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, which followed the club, its supporters, ownership and sporting development.

The documentary introduced Wrexham’s history and community to international audiences. It also placed greater attention on the economic and cultural significance of football within the town.

The ownership period coincided with major sporting investment and infrastructure development.

Wrexham’s promotion in 2023 was followed by another promotion in 2024 and a third in 2025. The club’s commercial profile also expanded during the same period.

The ownership model is therefore an important component of understanding modern Wrexham AFC. However, the club’s identity continues to rest on its 1864 foundation, local supporter culture and long-standing connection with Wrexham.

What is the Racecourse Ground?

The Racecourse Ground, officially known as STōK Cae Ras, is Wrexham AFC’s historic home stadium. It has hosted Wrexham matches for generations and is recognised as the world’s oldest international football ground still hosting football.

The stadium is located on Mold Road in Wrexham.

The Racecourse Ground is one of the defining physical features of Wrexham AFC. The club has played there since its earliest history, creating an unusually long connection between a professional football club and its home venue.

The ground also has international football significance. It hosted Wales international fixtures and is recognised as the world’s oldest international football stadium still hosting international football.

The stadium has undergone significant redevelopment during Wrexham’s modern growth.

One important project involved the Kop Stand. In November 2022, Wrexham County Borough Council approved plans for a new 5,500-capacity stand at the Racecourse Ground. The project replaced the existing derelict Kop structure.

Stadium development has become an important part of Wrexham’s transition into higher levels of professional football.

Higher league status requires stronger facilities, increased capacity, improved spectator infrastructure and appropriate operational standards.

The Racecourse therefore functions as both a historic landmark and a modern football facility.

What happened to Wrexham AFC between 2008 and 2023?

Wrexham spent 15 seasons outside the EFL after relegation in 2008. During that period, the club competed in the National League system before winning promotion in 2023 and returning to professional league football.

Wrexham’s period outside the EFL represents one of the most important chapters in its modern history.

The club was relegated from the Football League in 2008. It subsequently competed in the National League and remained outside the EFL for 15 seasons.

This period created major sporting and financial challenges.

The National League is the fifth level of the English football pyramid. Promotion from the National League is therefore the gateway back into the EFL.

Wrexham eventually achieved that objective in 2023.

The 2022/23 campaign became a landmark season. The club secured the National League title and returned to the EFL after a prolonged absence. The promotion also established the platform for the subsequent rise through League Two and League One.

The period demonstrates why Wrexham’s recent success cannot be understood only through its current Championship status. The club had spent more than a decade outside professional league football before beginning its rapid climb.

What competitions does Wrexham AFC play in?

Wrexham AFC competes in the EFL Championship and participates in domestic cup competitions governed by English football authorities. Its competitive calendar includes league fixtures, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup during the professional season.

The EFL Championship is the second tier of the English football league system and sits directly below the Premier League.

Wrexham entered the Championship after securing promotion from League One in April 2025.

The club also participates in the FA Cup. The competition is organised by the Football Association and includes clubs from across the English football pyramid.

Wrexham’s FA Cup history includes quarter-final appearances in 1974, 1978 and 1997.

The Carabao Cup, formally the EFL Cup, provides another competitive route for EFL clubs.

Cup competitions operate differently from league football. League campaigns are based on accumulated points across a season, while knockout competitions require teams to progress through individual rounds.

This creates different sporting pressures for Wrexham.

League performance determines promotion and relegation positions. Cup competitions provide opportunities to face clubs from different divisions.

Who are Wrexham AFC’s key players?

Wrexham AFC’s 2026/27 squad includes established professionals and younger players competing in the Championship. Current club information lists players including Max Cleworth, James McClean, Callum Burton, Ben Sheaf, Lewis O’Brien, Ollie Rathbone and Jack Marriott.

Wrexham’s current squad structure reflects the demands of Championship football.

The official 2026/27 club squad information lists players including Max Cleworth, Dan Scarr, Ben Sheaf, Oliver Rathbone, Lewis O’Brien, Ryan Barnett and Arthur Okonkwo among the men’s football setup.

Max Cleworth is particularly relevant to Wrexham’s recent development because he progressed through the club structure and became part of the senior team.

Dan Scarr also brought EFL experience to the squad. Wrexham signed the defender from Plymouth Argyle in 2024 after he had helped Plymouth achieve promotion and subsequently compete in the Championship.

The squad also contains players with experience at different levels of professional football.

Championship competition requires depth across defensive, midfield and attacking positions because the league contains a long programme of fixtures.

Player recruitment and development are therefore central components of Wrexham’s continued progress.

How important is Wrexham AFC to Welsh football?

Wrexham AFC is important to Welsh football because it is Wales’s oldest professional club and one of the country’s established representatives in the English football pyramid. Its history connects local Welsh identity with English league competition.

Wrexham occupies a distinctive position within Welsh football.

The club is based in North Wales but competes in the English league system. Cardiff City has a similar position, creating a direct football connection between North and South Wales.

The 2026/27 Championship season strengthened this relationship because Wrexham and Cardiff City competed in the same division.

Their August 2026 meeting was officially described by the EFL as a Welsh derby. Cardiff earned a point through a late Rubin Colwill free-kick in a match that finished level.

For Cardiff supporters, Wrexham therefore represents a nearby domestic football rival within the wider Welsh sporting landscape.

The clubs also have different geographical identities. Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and the largest urban centre in the country. Wrexham is the principal urban centre of North Wales.

Their meetings connect two distinct regions of Wales through professional football.

How has Welcome to Wrexham affected the club?

Welcome to Wrexham increased international awareness of Wrexham AFC by documenting the club, supporters, ownership and sporting journey. The series introduced the historic Welsh club to audiences far beyond North Wales.

The documentary series began after Reynolds and McElhenney became owners.

Its importance lies in the additional global exposure it created for Wrexham. Viewers gained access to the club’s stadium, supporters, players, staff and community.

The documentary also provided historical context surrounding Wrexham’s long period outside the EFL.

International attention increased alongside sporting success.

Wrexham’s return to the EFL in 2023 provided a major narrative point. The subsequent promotions to League One and the Championship extended the club’s exposure.

The effect was not limited to television audiences.

The club’s merchandise, international following and commercial opportunities expanded during the same period. Official club material now describes Wrexham as having a fanbase that extends across continents.

The documentary therefore became an important part of Wrexham’s modern commercial and cultural identity.

How has Wrexham AFC developed commercially?

Wrexham AFC’s commercial development has expanded alongside its sporting success. The club operates official merchandise, sponsorship programmes, commercial partnerships and community activities while continuing investment in football infrastructure and stadium development.

Commercial growth is an important component of Wrexham’s modern structure.

The club operates an official merchandise business covering home kits, away kits, training wear, accessories and memorabilia. Current 2026/27 products identify Wrexham as an EFL Championship club.

Wrexham also operates player shirt sponsorship programmes.

The club’s sponsorship programme has included opportunities for supporters and businesses to sponsor men’s and women’s first-team players, with proceeds divided between Wrexham AFC Foundation and Wrexham AFC Women.

Commercial activity supports the wider professional structure.

Higher league status brings increased operating requirements. These include player recruitment, coaching, travel, stadium operations, administration and regulatory compliance.

Wrexham’s commercial expansion therefore operates alongside sporting development rather than independently from it.

The club’s growth also creates opportunities for local businesses, hospitality providers and tourism-related organisations in Wrexham.

What does Wrexham AFC’s Championship status mean for the club?

Championship status places Wrexham in the second tier of English football and represents the highest league position reached during its modern rise. The division includes established professional clubs and provides a direct route toward Premier League football.

Wrexham entered the Championship after promotion from League One in April 2025.

The 2026/27 Championship season began in August 2026. The EFL confirmed that the opening Championship weekend took place between 14 and 16 August 2026.

Wrexham’s presence in the Championship has also created direct fixtures against Cardiff City.

The August 2026 Welsh derby demonstrated the geographical significance of the club’s new league position.

Championship football also increases competitive demands.

The division includes clubs with extensive Premier League and Championship histories. Wrexham therefore faces a substantially different competitive environment from the National League level it occupied only a few seasons earlier.

The club’s challenge involves maintaining Championship status while continuing to develop infrastructure, squad depth and sporting operations.

What makes Wrexham AFC relevant to Cardiff audiences?

Wrexham AFC is relevant to Cardiff audiences because both clubs represent major Welsh football communities competing in the English league system. Their Championship meetings create a direct North Wales–South Wales football connection for supporters across the country.

Cardiff residents have several reasons to follow Wrexham AFC.

The most direct connection is Cardiff City’s participation in the same EFL Championship division.

The clubs met in August 2026 at Cardiff City Stadium. The EFL described the fixture as a Welsh derby, confirming its significance within the Championship calendar.

The two clubs also provide different examples of Welsh football development.

Cardiff City represents the capital of Wales and has a long history of English league football. Wrexham represents North Wales and carries a foundation date of 1864.

For football audiences in Cardiff, following Wrexham provides insight into North Wales football, the National League-to-Championship pathway and the changing structure of Welsh representation within English football.

The geographical distance between Cardiff and Wrexham also makes their Championship meetings nationally significant rather than simply local fixtures.

What is the future significance of Wrexham AFC?

Wrexham AFC’s future significance rests on its established Championship position, historic stadium, expanding infrastructure, professional squad and international profile. Continued development will determine how effectively the club converts rapid recent growth into long-term football stability.

Wrexham’s modern rise has already changed its competitive position.

The club moved from the National League to the Championship across three consecutive promotion seasons. The EFL confirmed its Championship promotion in April 2025.

Infrastructure is another major factor.

The planned 5,500-capacity Kop development demonstrates the club’s investment in the Racecourse Ground and its matchday infrastructure.

The club’s 1864 foundation provides an unusually deep historical identity. Its modern commercial expansion provides a different source of growth.

The combination of history, stadium development, professional football and international visibility gives Wrexham AFC a distinctive position in contemporary Welsh football.

For Cardiff audiences, the club is particularly relevant because its Championship presence creates regular competitive connections between North and South Wales.

Wrexham AFC is therefore no longer defined only by its long history or recent Hollywood ownership. Its current identity is built around more than 160 years of football, a historic home ground, professional EFL competition, Welsh sporting identity and sustained institutional development.