FA Cup draw: Wrexham to host Chelsea as Reynolds and Jackman stunned
Wrexham will welcome Chelsea to the Racecourse Ground in the FA Cup fifth round on March 7, 2026 (ET), after the draw produced one of the competition's most eye-catching ties. The result has sparked big reactions at the club and among its celebrity owners, with a viral video capturing a mix of disbelief and delight.
Hollywood owners celebrate live
When the ball with Chelsea's name emerged, Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds reacted with audible surprise before bursting into celebration alongside fellow actor and long-time supporter Hugh Jackman. The pair recorded their reaction live and shared the footage online, where it quickly attracted attention for its candid, expletive-laced joy and instant high-fives.
Reynolds exclaimed in disbelief on camera, then captioned the clip with a simple, triumphant line referencing the home fixture. Jackman chimed in on the post, playfully insisting he was only urging what Reynolds wanted to happen. The exchange underlined the global spotlight the club has enjoyed since the takeover led to a rapid rise through the leagues.
On-field stakes and fixture details
The fifth-round ties are scheduled for the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET), with Wrexham set to host their Premiership visitors on March 7. Progressing clubs from this round will receive a share of the competition prize fund, with the fifth-round winners set to collect a significant payment that will matter to clubs across the divisions.
For Wrexham, the tie represents a high-profile test against top-flight opposition. The club has never lifted the FA Cup but has produced memorable cup runs in the past, reaching the quarter-finals in 1973-74 and 1996-97. Since the change in ownership in 2021, Wrexham have climbed back into the professional tiers and have twice reached the fourth round in recent seasons before advancing to this stage.
Chelsea arrive into the tie on the back of convincing recent form in cup competition and will be looking to add another deep run to their eight FA Cup victories. The two sides have not met in a competitive fixture since February 1982, although they have crossed paths in recent pre-season friendlies during summers overseas.
What it means for supporters and the club
The draw has already generated a surge of excitement among supporters, who have voiced belief that the home advantage and the club’s recent momentum could make for a competitive tie. Ticket demand for a fixture of this profile against a leading Premier League side is expected to be intense, and the club has issued a statement confirming the fixture while promising ticket and matchday information in due course.
Beyond the immediate logistics, the tie offers a chance to showcase Wrexham's growth on a national stage and to test the squad against elite opposition. For the club's celebrity owners, it is another moment of mainstream exposure and a reminder of how rapidly fortunes can change in the FA Cup’s famously unpredictable draw. Whether the Racecourse Ground will witness an upset or a royal attendance from the top tier, the match is certain to be one of the standout stories of the fifth round.
