Ryan Reynolds Reveals Why Wrexham Skipped Auckland FC Clash

Wrexham’s Pre-Season Tour: Reynolds Explains Decision to Skip Auckland FC Clash

Fresh off their promotion to the EFL Championship, Wrexham AFC—the Welsh club co-owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney—will embark on a high-profile pre-season tour in Australia and New Zealand this July. However, Reynolds revealed that a planned match against A-League newcomers Auckland FC was scrapped due to concerns over player fatigue.

The Red Dragons are set to face Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, and the Wellington Phoenix during their Southern Hemisphere trip. But Reynolds admitted he was eager to add Auckland FC—a fairytale story in their own right after finishing top of the table in their debut A-League season—to the schedule.

“I asked Phil (Parkinson), ‘Is there any way we could play Auckland FC? They’ve been a story in themselves,’” Reynolds said on the RobRyanRed – Wrexham AFC podcast. “But it’s team first. Phil needed the players back in the UK to prepare for the Championship.”

The decision stemmed from lessons learned two years ago when an exhausting U.S. pre-season tour left Wrexham struggling early in their campaign.

“We came in a little cold that season,” Reynolds admitted.

McElhenney echoed the sentiment, recalling how the grueling travel impacted performance. “It hurt them,” he said. “The players and Phil acknowledged it was tough.”

While both owners emphasized the importance of global fan engagement, they stressed that on-field success remains the priority.

“We always consult Phil first,” McElhenney said. “If something risks harming our season, we won’t do it.”

Reynolds and McElhenney are expected to join the squad in Australia, though Reynolds remained noncommittal: “We’ll try.”