Birmingham City face a high-profile Championship fixture away at Wrexham this Friday, a match already branded the 'Hollywood Derby' due to its celebrity ownership links. The Blues, backed by NFL legend Tom Brady, travel to the Racecourse Ground to take on a Wrexham side co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, as reported by Wales Online. Both teams have made identical starts to the 2026/27 campaign, each securing two draws from their opening fixtures.
Birmingham City finished 10th in the Championship last season, amassing 64 points from 46 games with a record of 17 wins, 13 draws, and 16 losses. Their recent form was strong, ending with a sequence of DWWDW, and they scored 57 goals while conceding 56 across the entire campaign. The club now prepares for a busy period, with a home game against 4th-placed Southampton scheduled for Tuesday, September 1st.
Who are the celebrity owners involved?
Tom Brady became a minority owner of Birmingham City in 2023. The 49-year-old former New England Patriots quarterback has an estimated net worth of £256 million, largely built from a 20-year NFL career that earned him around £175 million in salary. He also signed a lucrative 10-year, £285 million deal with FOX Sports in 2022 to work as an NFL analyst. On the other side, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased Wrexham in 2021. Reynolds, also 49, has a matching estimated net worth of £256 million, boosted by business ventures like the sale of Aviation Gin and a stake in Mint Mobile.
What is the recent history between the clubs?
The two sides last met in April 2026 at Birmingham City's home ground, where the Blues secured a 2-0 victory. Tom Brady celebrated that win on his Instagram Stories, posting, "Big W. It's always more fun to beat your friends." That result came during a challenging period for Birmingham, who were relegated to League One in Brady's first season as an owner before winning promotion back to the Championship.
How have both teams started this season?
The new season has begun with identical records for both clubs. Wrexham drew 1-1 against both Cardiff City and Watford. Birmingham City played out a 0-0 draw with Sheffield United and a 2-2 draw against Bristol City. Demarai Gray scored a 95th-minute penalty to salvage a point in that Bristol City match. This leaves both teams seeking their first win of the campaign when they meet on Friday.
What does this match mean for Birmingham's season?
This fixture represents a unique challenge and opportunity early in the season. Facing a newly-promoted but globally famous opponent adds a different kind of pressure. The focus for Birmingham City will be converting draws into wins to climb from mid-table. You can track the team's progress and upcoming challenges on our standings and fixtures pages. With Southampton visiting St Andrew's next, securing a positive result in Wales could provide vital momentum.
Birmingham City's squad, which you can view in detail on our squad page, will need to be at its best to handle the intense atmosphere expected at the Racecourse Ground. The club ended last season 31 points behind champions Coventry, highlighting the gap they aim to close this year. A strong performance in this spotlight fixture would be a significant step forward.
