The FA Cup has always been a stage for the unexpected, but few could have scripted the electric atmosphere at the Racecourse Ground on January 9, 2026, when Wrexham hosted Premier League side Nottingham Forest in a third-round clash. The Welsh club, now a Championship contender, found themselves in the global spotlight, thanks in no small part to their Hollywood co-owner, Ryan Reynolds, whose presence and passion have become as much a part of the club’s folklore as any on-field heroics.
Reynolds, a Canadian superstar with a net worth estimated between £300 million and £336 million, was reportedly in attendance, adding a dash of celebrity glitz to an already feverish occasion. Before kickoff, he was seen pitchside, signing autographs and rallying the team. In a video broadcast by TNT Sports, Reynolds clapped his hands and shouted, “Come on, let’s go,” a gesture that sent ripples of excitement through the stands and onto the pitch.
This wasn’t just another cameo. For Wrexham’s players, the significance of the moment was clear. Midfielder George Dobson revealed how manager Phil Parkinson had prepared the squad by showing them highlights from the club’s storied FA Cup past. “It gave me goosebumps to see what’s been created before and it makes you feel you’ve got that opportunity to create that history for yourself,” Dobson explained. The sense of occasion was palpable, as the club looked to write a new chapter against top-flight opposition—their first meeting with Nottingham Forest since 1993.
The pre-match build-up wasn’t without its quirks. Reynolds, 49, was spotted on the pitch engaging in a now-ritualistic act: crouching down and taking a handful of turf as a souvenir. Fans have seen him do this before, dating back to October 2021, and his co-owner Rob McElhenney shares the tradition. McElhenney once told The Athletic, “When I get down on the pitch, I have a tendency to take some of the grass and put it in my pocket, so I have a keep-sake of the event.” His wife even turned these mementos into framed displays, preserving them as reminders of the club’s journey.
That journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Since Reynolds and McElhenney took over in 2021, Wrexham have soared from the National League to the Championship, powered by savvy management and significant financial backing. The club’s valuation has skyrocketed, especially after the duo sold a portion to Apollo Sports Capital, now pegging the club’s worth at £350 million. Earlier this year, the pair recouped £15 million in loans, further underscoring their business acumen.
Reynolds’ investments extend far beyond football. His stake in Mint Mobile, acquired by T-Mobile in 2023, is said to be worth more than £200 million. He also profited handsomely from a 20 percent share in Aviation Gin, which Diageo bought out in a deal valued at £450 million. Acting remains his primary income source, with annual earnings estimated at £100 million from new roles and residuals. The FX docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham” has also played a pivotal role in raising the club’s profile and generating additional revenue.
On the pitch, Wrexham entered the FA Cup showdown in red-hot form, riding a wave of four consecutive Championship victories over Sheffield United, Preston, Blackburn, and Derby. Those wins propelled them to within a point of the play-off places, fueling dreams of a fourth straight promotion—a feat that would be unprecedented in the club’s history. Manager Phil Parkinson, who has masterminded their ascent, had his side brimming with confidence, their only recent setback a derby defeat to Swansea on December 19.
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Wrexham and Nottingham Forest battled to a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes of pulsating football, sending the tie to penalties. The hero of the night was goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who pulled off two crucial saves in the shoot-out, sealing what many are already calling a classic FA Cup upset. The Racecourse Ground erupted, and Reynolds, watching from the stands, could hardly contain his delight.
Wrexham’s rise has not just been about results. The club recently announced plans to upgrade their historic stadium, including the addition of rail seating in the SToK Cold Brew Coffee Stand, signaling their intent to match on-field ambition with off-field progress. The sense of momentum is undeniable—fans, players, and owners alike are swept up in a whirlwind that shows no signs of slowing down.
Off the field, Reynolds’ personal life has also drawn attention. Happily married to actress Blake Lively, with whom he shares three daughters and a son, he previously wed Scarlett Johansson before their divorce was finalized in July 2011. Despite persistent rumors of a permanent move to Wales, Reynolds put them to rest in a 2023 interview on the Fearless to Devotion podcast: “I mean I’ve got four kids here in New York. There was an article that said I’d bought a home over there, but that was not accurate at all. Look, we love it, but to move our entire families over there, that would be a real act of superior black belt manipulation on my part. I can pull off a few things, but I don’t think I could pull that off.” He added, “But both my wife and I love coming over. But we both love going to California—and we don’t live there! Maybe one day, who knows.”
Meanwhile, the broader football world is bracing for an even more action-packed season. Sky Sports has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for 2025/26, offering fans access to over 1,400 live matches, including at least 215 Premier League games. With Wrexham’s star on the rise and the FA Cup magic alive and well, there’s never been a more thrilling time to follow the beautiful game.
As the dust settles on a night to remember, Wrexham’s victory over Nottingham Forest stands as a testament to belief, ambition, and the transformative power of sport. With Reynolds and McElhenney at the helm, the Red Dragons are daring to dream bigger than ever before. For now, the club and its fans can savor a moment that will live long in their collective memory, while the rest of the football world watches—wondering just how far this remarkable story will go.
