Hollywood-backed Wrexham reach 2nd tier after 3rd straight promotion

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney celebrated in the stands as Wrexham secured a third successive promotion Saturday.

The Welsh outfit has now climbed from the fifth tier to the Championship, which is one rung below England's Premier League, since the actors became co-owners in 2021 and started to financially outmuscle most of Wrexham's league rivals during the club's rapid ascent. Their experiences navigating the world of soccer feature in the award-winning documentary series "Welcome to Wrexham."

Wrexham's latest promotion was confirmed with a 3-0 home victory over Charlton Athletic courtesy of a Sam Smith brace and Oliver Rathbone's opener from outside the box.

Documentary favorite Paul Mullin, who had a cameo role in Reynolds' 2024 movie "Deadpool & Wolverine," wasn't in the matchday squad and hasn't played a minute since January. Ollie Palmer, another player whose fame skyrocketed after appearing in "Welcome to Wrexham," has also fallen out of favor in Phil Parkinson's side.

Former Premier League regulars Steven Fletcher, James McClean, and Jay Rodriguez are among the stars of Wrexham's latest success.

"It just seemed like an impossible dream," Reynolds reflected on the team reaching the Championship, according to James Robson of The Associated Press. "We said five years ago our goal was to make it to the Premier League. There were understandably a lot of laughs, but it feels like a thing that could make it to fruition right now."

Wrexham won't be promoted as champions of League One. Birmingham City, who are co-owned by NFL legend Tom Brady, romped to the title after spending heavily to ensure an immediate return to England's second tier.

Wrexham are guaranteed to meet some famous names in the Championship next season, including West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield Wednesday, 2008 FA Cup winners Portsmouth, and fellow Welsh side Swansea City. One team from Sheffield United, Sunderland, Bristol City, Coventry City, Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, and Middlesbrough will clamber out of the Championship via the four-team promotion playoffs.

Burnley and Leeds United have already secured promotion to the Premier League.