Wrexham AFC are flying to the United States of America for a high-profile pre-season tour in 2023. So, here is everything to know on Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ summer plans.
The Racecourse Ground team are jetting across the pond for the first time in Wrexham AFC’s club history this summer. It marks the latest step by Wrexham AFC’s owners, Hollywood duo McElhenney and Reynolds, to promote the Red Dragons’ image in the US since buying them.
A trip to America will also give Phil Parkinson a chance to see how Wrexham AFC’s first-team squad fare against Premier League opposition. It will also form the foundation for the club’s return to League Two as the 22/23 National League champions after 15 years out of the EFL.
When does Wrexham AFC’s pre-season start?
The first group of Wrexham AFC players reported back to Colliers Park on Thursday, June 29 to start pre-season training. Parkinson will welcome the remainder of his squad back to the club’s training facilities in due course. He opted to split his players return dates this summer.
Aaron Hayden, Elliot Lee and Ollie Palmer were amongst the Red Dragons players to report for pre-season on June 29. Parkinson put his players, including Wrexham AFC academy gem Owen Cushion, through fitness tests in the gym at the Racecourse Ground to kick things off.
Attentions then turned to the short trip to Colliers Park in the afternoon for sprinting, agility and bleep test drills. James Jones led the way during Wrexham AFC’s bleep test on June 29. Wrexham AFC will start their full first-team pre-season fixture list with a friendly on July 19.
The Soccer Tournament in Cary, North Carolina also served as an early pre-season start for some Wrexham AFC players. The Red Dragons contested the seven-a-side event, held from June 1 to June 4. Wrexham AFC unleashed a representative line-up in the event in America.
Wrexham AFC’s fixture list for their 2023 pre-season
As of June 13, Wrexham AFC have confirmed four pre-season friendlies for their tour of the United States in 2023. The Red Dragons have signed up to play two Premier League teams during their time across the pond. While Parkinson’s squad will also play against LA Galaxy II.
Chelsea and Manchester United await the Racecourse Ground club in the USA. But the Red Devils will not name a full-strength line-up. Instead, boss Erik ten Hag is set to pick a youth-focused XI from the Old Trafford natives’ travelling team and include several academy gems.
Wrexham AFC’s friendly with Manchester United will take place during the Red Devil’s week-long pre-season training camp in San Diego. While the Red Dragons will meet Chelsea in the FC Series in North Carolina. Their friendly is the two team’s first-ever meeting on neutral soil.
A further friendly in America at MLS Next Pro side Philadelphia Union II rounds out Wrexham AFC’s tour of the USA, as well. The Red Dragons will also visit Subaru Park to face the MLS outfit’s team of young prospects in McElhenney’s home city, Philadelphia, for the first time.
- July 19, KO 00:00 BST: Wrexham vs Chelsea, Kenan Stadium, North Carolina
- July 22, KO 03:30 BST: Wrexham vs LA Galaxy II, Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson
- July 25, KO 00:30 BST: Wrexham vs Man Utd, Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
- July 28, KO 00:30 BST: Philadelphia Union II vs Wrexham, Subaru Park, Chester
How to watch Wrexham AFC’s 2023 pre-season fixtures
Wrexham AFC are still to confirm which networks will broadcast all of their 2023 pre-season friendlies, including the tour of the US, in the UK. But fans can watch Wrexham AFC take on Chelsea live on TV via S4C Clic. The match is also live on YouTube and Facebook via Sgorio.
Additionally, Chelsea will broadcast their pre-season friendly against Wrexham AFC through the Premier League side’s website and The 5th Stand app. While fans can watch Manchester United against Wrexham AFC through the Old Trafford natives’ in-house channel, MUFC TV.
Tickets for Wrexham AFC’s summer schedule
Tickets for Wrexham AFC’s pre-season friendlies against Chelsea, LA Galaxy II, Manchester United and Philadelphia Union II are on sale. A part of the price of all tickets for their tie with Chelsea will also go to the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Clinic at UNC Children’s Hospital.
But fans can no longer buy tickets to see Wrexham AFC’s pre-season friendly with Chelsea in the FC Series. Their match sold out on May 2, shortly after tickets went on general sale.
On-sale dates for tickets to the Red Dragon’s pre-season matches:
Tickets for Wrexham AFC’s pre-season meeting against Chelsea went on sale on these dates, here:
- April 25, 17:00 BST until April 27, 12:00 BST: Registered fans’ pre-sale window
- April 27, 15:00 BST: General sale
Tickets for Wrexham AFC’s pre-season clash with Manchester United go on sale on these dates, here:
- March 27, 20:00 BST: Registered fans pre-sale window plus Manchester United season ticket holders, club members and executive club members
- March 29, 16:00 BST: General sale
Tickets for Wrexham AFC’s pre-season friendly against LA Galaxy II go on sale on these dates, here:
- May 3, 18:00 BST to May 4, 17:59 BST: American Express card members’ pre-sale window
- May 4, 18:00 BST: General sale
Tickets for Wrexham AFC’s pre-season friendly against Philadelphia Union II go on sale on these dates, here:
- June 21, 15:00 BST: General sale