BC Place set to welcome Wrexham AFC for July 27 friendly vs. Whitecaps FC
April 25th, 2024
Vancouver, BC (April 25, 2024) - Wrexham AFC will face Major League Soccer (MLS) side Vancouver Whitecaps FC in an intercontinental matchup at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada on July 27. This match is the final of Wrexham AFC’s three North American matches this summer as part of their 2024 Wrex Coast Tour. This contest follows their matches with AFC Bournemouth on July 20 at Harder Stadium, in Santa Barbara, CA, and with Chelsea FC on July 24th at Levi’s Stadium, in Santa Clara, CA.
Whitecaps FC season members will receive an email with details on their priority pre-sale window. Tickets for the general public will be available at 12pm PT on Ticketmaster here.
This game has a special significance for Wrexham AFC owner Ryan Reynolds, who was himself born and raised in the city, and is a long-time Vancouver Whitecaps FC supporter. Wrexham have shot to prominence globally since Reynolds and fellow Hollywood star Rob McElhenney purchased the club in 2020. The club has been featured in the immensely popular Emmy award-winning Welcome to Wrexham docu-series on FX. Founded in 1864, Wrexham is the oldest professional soccer club in Wales, and the third oldest in the world. With their proud Welsh support at their back, Wrexham have recently risen back up through the divisions and have just confirmed a second-successive promotion, which elevates them back to League One (the third tier of English football) next season. The club has a hugely supportive fanbase and is excited to return to North America for the second successive preseason.
“Last year Rob got to bring Wrexham to Philly. This year it's my turn,” said Wrexham AFC co-chairman Ryan Reynolds. “I am so excited my hometown club the Whitecaps will get to square off against the Red Dragons. My official stance on the match will be a very friendly 'neutral' even if I will be screaming for a Paul Mullin hat trick.”
Vancouver Whitecaps FC is the longest-running professional soccer club in Canada or the United States, celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. Originally established in 1974 in the former North American Soccer League, the ’Caps joined MLS as the seventeenth club in 2009. Since the debut season in 2011, Whitecaps FC have become an integral part of MLS, and gone on to win three Canadian Championships, the domestic cup for all Canadian professional and semi-professional clubs. Whitecaps FC have enjoyed a great start to their 2024 MLS campaign, and currently sits second in the Western Conference standings, with 16 points from eight games.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our club, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary season, to play a team as storied as Wrexham AFC,” said Vancouver Whitecaps FC chief executive officer & sporting director Axel Schuster. “We’re delighted to be able to welcome our visitors from Wales, and welcome Ryan Reynolds back home to Vancouver. We look forward to seeing everyone at BC Place for this first-time-ever matchup.”
BC Place is the home of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and the host of this match with Wrexham AFC. The largest multi-purpose venue in Western Canada, BC Place has been a centerpiece for the Province of British Columbia for more than four decades. The venue serves as a vibrant hub for sporting excellence, having hosted countless iconic events including FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, nine Grey Cup Championships, and HSBC Canada Sevens. BC Place is set to host seven matches during FIFA World Cup 26, and is widely recognized as one of the premier sporting facilities in Canada.
“At BC Place, we believe in the power of sport to build bridges and unite communities," said Chris May, general manager at BC Place. "This matchup with Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Wrexham AFC is an opportunity to transcend borders and bring soccer fans together for an unforgettable experience. We can't wait to welcome Ryan back to his roots and celebrate the beautiful game that connects us all.”
Event promoters TEG Sport (TEG) are very proud to bring Wrexham AFC to Canada, working alongside the city of Vancouver, BC Place and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming home Ryan Reynolds along with his team Wrexham AFC!” said Mayor Ken Sim. “The match at BC Place is a massive win for Vancouver’s local businesses and tourism sector and will inspire the next generation of players and fans. No matter who takes home the win, it's bound to be an exciting game and an amazing chance to showcase Vancouver's top-notch sports venues to the world.”
"Getting to bring the Red Dragons to Canada is a great joy for us, as we know how much this game will mean to Wrexham AFC ownership and fans alike,” said Geoff Jones, CEO of TEG. “Wrexham has a huge, loyal fanbase in Canada, and we’re delighted to have partnered with Vancouver Whitecaps FC to create this exciting Welsh-Canadian clash between two great soccer institutions.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Callum Squires
callum@srkstrategies.com
On behalf of TEG Sport
About Wrexham AFC
Wrexham Association Football Club is based in Wrexham, North Wales, and competes in League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league pyramid. For the 2024/25 season, Wrexham will compete in League One – the third tier – after securing a second consecutive promotion. Formed in 1864, they are the oldest club in Wales and the third oldest professional team in the world. Wrexham has won the Welsh Cup a record 23 times and beaten some of the biggest clubs in the game in the English FA Cup and UEFA European Cup Winners Cup. The STōK Cae Ras, home to Wrexham AFC, is the world's oldest international stadium that still continues to host international games.
Wrexham AFC is owned by Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. The goal of the new owners is to grow the team and establish Wrexham AFC as a Premier League club in front of increased attendances, and in an improved stadium, while making a positive difference to the wider community in Wrexham This goal is being pursued through four guiding principles: i) to protect the heritage of Wrexham AFC; ii) to reinforce the values of the community; iii) to use Rob and Ryan's resources to grow the exposure of the club at home and abroad; and iv) to create a winning culture. For more information, please visit wrexhamafc.co.uk.