Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Purchase Historic Wrexham Pub
Hollywood co-owners of Wrexham AFC acquire The Turf pub, aiming to preserve its historical significance and enhance fan experience.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Hollywood co-owners of Wrexham AFC, have purchased The Turf, the historic pub adjacent to the club's Racecourse Ground home stadium. The acquisition is intended to "protect the future of the club" by bringing the pub, the stadium, and the club under a unified ownership.
Wrexham AFC was founded at the pub, then known as The Turf Hotel, in October 1864, making it the oldest football club in Wales. The club statement highlighted that the purchase will help "preserve the history and traditions" of the public house, which has been "inextricably linked" to the Racecourse Ground and the club since its inception.
The Turf and its landlord, Wayne Jones, have gained prominence through the award-winning Disney documentary series "Welcome to Wrexham." Jones described the purchase as "great news for all Wrexham fans."
Numerous celebrities have visited The Turf since Reynolds and McElhenney took over the club in 2021, including Paul Rudd, Channing Tatum, and Will Ferrell. In March 2024, Prince William even joined McElhenney behind the bar to pull pints in celebration of St. David's Day.
The club plans to leverage the acquisition to "enhance the current fan zone and other fan-related activities" in the area. This move is part of a broader strategy to "ring-fence key areas related to the life of the club" and ensure its long-term stability.
Landlord Wayne Jones, who has managed The Turf for two decades, will continue to operate the establishment. He emphasized the pub's integral role in the club's history, noting that players historically changed there before matches. Jones expressed enthusiasm for bringing the pub's "unique mix of history, atmosphere and sometimes Hollywood stardust" to future generations.
The Racecourse Ground itself holds historical significance, having hosted its first Wales international fixture in March 1877, making it the oldest stadium still hosting international matches globally. The Allyn family, minority investors in Wrexham AFC through Red Dragon Ventures, stated that by bringing The Turf into the ownership group, they are securing the pub's future and preserving its historical connection to the club.