Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has expressed his delight and gratitude at the club's invitation to return to the United States for another high-profile pre-season tour. The Championship side, preparing for their second successive season in the division, are set to face three Premier League clubs across the Atlantic, a fixture list Parkinson described as a significant coup.
The Welsh club's global appeal, amplified by Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and the 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary series, has led to immense popularity in North America. This upcoming tour marks their third visit to the US in four years, following successful trips in 2023 and 2024, which saw them play against top-tier opponents like Manchester United and Chelsea. The club spent their 2025 pre-season in Australia and New Zealand.
Parkinson highlighted the unique nature of the invitation, stating, "It's a real privilege for us to be invited back there and attract the games and to be invited to play three Premier League clubs." He added that many other Premier League clubs aspire to tour America, but securing fixtures and organising a tour has been challenging, partly due to the ongoing World Cup preparations. The manager emphasised that the club does not take these opportunities for granted, calling it "very special to be part of a Wrexham squad travelling across the Atlantic."
The tour schedule sees Wrexham kick off against Leeds United in Tampa on Sunday, 26 July. Four days later, they will travel to New York to face Liverpool. Their final pre-season match is scheduled for Sunday, 2 August, against Parkinson's former club, Sunderland, in Philadelphia, which is notably the hometown of co-owner Rob McElhenney. These matches are expected to draw considerable crowds, building on the impressive attendances and atmospheres experienced during previous US tours.
In terms of squad news, forward Ryan Hardie will miss the trip due to a thigh strain. However, Ryan Longman is anticipated to resume full training during the tour, offering a boost to the squad. Elliot Lee, who was absent from last week's 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Helsinki, is also travelling with the team and is expected to be in contention for the second game. Parkinson noted the importance of Lee maintaining his fitness throughout the trip, even if his minutes on the pitch are limited.