Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham AFC will return to the Soccer Tournament in Cary this summer
The Welsh soccer team owned by a Marvel movie star and a sitcom actor will return to Cary this summer for the second year of a winner-take-all tournament.
Wrexham A.F.C. of Wales will take the pitch to try to win $1 million in The Soccer Tournament at Cary’s WakeMed Soccer Park from June 5-10.
The team, which formed in 1864, was purchased in 2021 by Ryan Reynolds, known for the superhero “Deadpool” movies, and Rob McElhenney from “Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” The FX Network series “Welcome to Wrexham,” followed the team’s progress and new ownership.
This year, Wrexham A.F.C will have men’s and women’s teams in the tournament. Eight women’s teams were added to the 7-on-7 World Cup-style competition to compete for a separate $1 million prize.
The Wrexham Red Dragons made their U.S. debut last summer in Cary, making it to the 16th round before losing. The team returned to North Carolina in July for a game against English team Chelsea F.C. at UNC Chapel Hill, which they also lost.
The Red Dragons
The club will announce the full list of players for the men’s and women’s Wrexham Red Dragons teams closer to the tournament.
Last year’s team included first-timers, football legends and friends of the club, including Mark Howard, an English goalkeeper; David Jones, a Wrexham coach; and Lee Trundle, a former star striker.
Jones is coming back to the tournament to manage Wrexham, according to the soccer club.
Wrexham A.F.C. Women will make their U.S. debut, joining teams like U.S. Women, the North Carolina Courage, and SoccerHead FC, a team of former Duke University players.
“We’re pleased to have the opportunity to now bring Wrexham A.F.C. Women to The Soccer Tournament too, for their U.S. debut, and we look forward to seeing both teams out on the pitch in June,” said Jon Mugar, the tournament’s founder and CEO.
Tickets available now
Tickets and parking passes for The Soccer Tournament must be purchased online before the event. Choose between all-session tickets and single-session tickets, as well as VIP packages, at thetournament.com/tst.
This story was originally published March 28, 2024 at 1:48 PM with the headline "Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham AFC will return to the Soccer Tournament in Cary this summer."