Ryan Reynolds ‘pinch me moment’ as Wrexham prepare for Liverpool game at Yankee Stadium

Jul 25, 2026 - 13:30

Wrexham AFC will step out at one of baseball’s most iconic ballparks for a blockbuster preseason friendly against Liverpool, and Ryan Reynolds couldn’t be more excited.

The two soccer teams head to New York, where they will play at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, July 29, to prepare for their upcoming campaigns.

Ryan Reynolds, Hollywood actor and co-owner of Wrexham FC, prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wrexham and Chelsea on March 07, 2026 — Reynolds will watch on as Wrexham host Liverpool in a game at Yankee Stadium

Reynolds, who owns Championship side Wrexham alongside fellow actor Rob Mac, struggled to put into words how he feels about the opportunity to test themselves against top-level Premier League opposition.

Ryan Reynolds delights in ‘amazing’ preseason tour

“It’s so far beyond pinch me. It’s like a punch me moment. I don’t know what to say about this,” Reynolds told SportsCenter of the trip to Yankee Stadium.

Wrexham‘s fixture against Liverpool will be sandwiched between two other games against Premier League opposition.

The first comes against Leeds United at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay on Saturday night, and the third will be played at Subaru Park, home of the MLS side Philadelphia Union, next Sunday.

Speaking of the tour as a whole, Reynolds added: “We’re not only coming to America to play again, in what has always been the most exhilarating and exciting thing to see live, but to do it with three Premier League teams in a row in Tampa, New York and Philly is pretty amazing.

“You know, to have to play to host Liverpool in Yankee Stadium — with that kind of history and pedigree — I just don’t know what to make of it.

“We cannot wait to fill that stadium, and watch the boys out there just do what they do best.

“I mean, it’s always so electric and, you know, the 165-year plus history of Wrexham has seen its fair share of giant killings.

“Liverpool is as big as it gets, certainly on the world stage. So we’re very excited to to see what we can do.”

Rob Mac hoping Wrexham can ‘do something magical’ against Liverpool

While Reynolds wants to see a good old fashioned ‘giant killing,’ Mac knows a tough challenge will await against Andoni Iraola’s new-look side.

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, co-owners of Wrexham are interviewed prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Wrexham AFC and Swansea City at Racecourse Ground on March 13, 2026 — Reynolds is hoping Wrexham can pull off a preseason ‘giant killing’

American Actor and Screenwriter Rob McElhenney and Canadian-American actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds, who are Co-Owners of Wrexham, celebrate after Sam Smith of Wrexham (not pictured) scores his team's first goal look on prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wrexham and Chelsea on March 07, 2026 — Mac insists Wrexham players are ‘chomping at the bit’ for a friendly against Liverpool

“I don’t know if a lot of people know this about football in particular, but it’s not like preseason in a lot of other sports,” the Philadelphia native said.

“Oftentimes in NFL games, for example — or spring training — it’s fun. But it’s not as competitive.

“Trust me, these guys want to win. Everybody is desperate to win. They are ready to go.

“And we’ve been texting with quite a few of them, they’re chomping at the bit to get out there and go put on a show, and see if we can do something magical.”

Why are Wrexham and Liverpool playing in a ballpark?

Wrexham’s home, the STōK Cae Ras, is the world’s oldest stadium that continues to host international games.

On Wednesday, they will step out at a ballpark in New York City that also carries impressive history.

An overall view of Yankee Stadium before the game between the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 2026 — Wrexham will face Liverpool at one of the MLB’s most iconic ballparks

A general aerial exterior view of Racecourse Ground as the construction work on The Kop stand expansion is seen ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between Wrexham AFC and Southampton at Racecourse Ground on April 7, 2026 — The Welsh side play their home games at the historic Racecourse Ground

The original Yankee Stadium hosted dozens of soccer matches, featuring clubs from all around the world.

That tradition has continued at the current ballpark, which also serves as the primary home of MLS club New York City FC.

Since opening for baseball in 2009, Yankee Stadium has hosted multiple European friendlies, including AC Milan vs Manchester City in 2024, Liverpool vs Sporting CP in 2019 and an all-Premier League clash between Liverpool and Man City back in 2014.

The Yankees, meanwhile, have been on the road since July 23, and will return home on August 3, when the soccer field will be swapped back out for the diamond.

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