
Wrexham vs Ipswich Town: FA Cup Result, H2H & TV Guide
Few English football clubs have moved from the National League to the FA Cup fourth round quite like Wrexham—and doing so against a Championship side like Ipswich Town turns a fairy tale into a real test. Behind the Hollywood headlines and the Netflix cameras, this fixture carries genuine stakes for both clubs.
Most recent match result: Wrexham 1–0 Ipswich Town (FA Cup Fourth Round) ·
Head-to-head overall: Wrexham 1 win, Ipswich Town 0 wins, 1 draw ·
Current league positions: Wrexham 7th (Championship), Ipswich Town 2nd (Championship) ·
Ownership: Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney (co-chairmen, minority stake sold in 2025)
Quick snapshot
- Wrexham 1–0 Ipswich Town in the FA Cup Fourth Round (Wrexham AFC official highlights)
- Josh Windass scored the only goal; Ryan Longman provided the assist (Wrexham AFC second video)
- Reynolds and McElhenney remain co-chairmen after selling a minority stake in 2025 (ESPN)
- February 2021: Reynolds and McElhenney complete takeover of Wrexham
- November 22, 2025: Wrexham and Ipswich draw 0–0 in Championship
- February 21, 2026: Wrexham beat Ipswich 1–0 in FA Cup Fourth Round
- Wrexham face another Championship side in the FA Cup fifth round (Wrexham AFC)
- Ipswich Town continue their promotion push in the Championship (Wrexham AFC)
Five key facts about the fixture, one pattern: Wrexham have dominated the recent head-to-head despite being the lower-division side historically.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Match Date | February 21, 2026 |
| Competition | FA Cup Fourth Round |
| Venue | Stok Cae Ras, Wrexham |
| Final Score | Wrexham 1–0 Ipswich Town |
| Goal Scorer | Josh Windass (assist: Ryan Longman) |
| TV Channel (UK) | BBC One, Sky Sports Main Event |
| Streaming (US) | ESPN+ |
| Attendance | 12,824 |
Is the Wrexham vs Ipswich on TV?
The FA Cup fourth-round tie was broadcast live on BBC One (UK public service broadcaster) and Sky Sports Main Event (UK pay-TV). For viewers in the United States, ESPN+ (streaming service) carried the match live.
Where to watch Wrexham vs Ipswich Town live
- UK: BBC iPlayer (free) and Sky Sports (subscription) – both had live coverage.
- US: ESPN+ required a subscription; the match was also available on demand after the final whistle.
- International: Local broadcasters in some territories picked up the feed; check your region’s FA Cup rights holder.
TV channels and streaming options
- BBC One: free-to-air in the UK, also available via BBC iPlayer.
- Sky Sports Main Event: pay-TV, accessible through Sky, Virgin, or Now TV.
- ESPN+: US streaming only, no linear TV option.
Wrexham’s FA Cup run has made them a regular on national TV. For casual fans, the BBC coverage meant the match was accessible without a paywall – a rare treat for a League One-turned-Championship club.
What is the head-to-head record between Wrexham and Ipswich Town?
Wrexham hold a clear edge in the all-time competitive meetings. According to FotMob (live football statistics platform), the head-to-head stands at one win for Wrexham, zero for Ipswich, and one draw. WorldFootball.net (match database) records four Championship meetings since 2025, with Wrexham winning three, Ipswich none, and one draw – an aggregate score of 8–4 in Wrexham’s favour.
The two clubs first met competitively on 7 January 1995 in an FA Cup match, according to 11v11 (historical football records) – a fixture Ipswich lost.
Recent meetings
- November 22, 2025: Wrexham 0–0 Ipswich Town (Championship) – BBC Sport
- February 21, 2026: Wrexham 1–0 Ipswich Town (FA Cup Fourth Round) – Wrexham AFC official highlights
Overall record
Based on data from AiScore (sports statistics aggregator), the two sides have played two competitive games since 2025, with Wrexham winning one and Ipswich failing to win either. The draw from November 2025 remains Ipswich’s only point in the fixture.
Some sources, such as SoccerPunter (betting stats site), claim Ipswich have not lost to Wrexham in their past three meetings, but that conflicts with multiple other databases. The discrepancy likely arises from including non-competitive friendlies. The competitive record is clear: Wrexham lead.
The implication: Wrexham have built a genuine upper hand, even as they have climbed the divisions.
Who is Wrexham’s biggest rival?
Wrexham’s traditional rival is Chester City (now Chester FC), a cross-border derby with roots dating back to the 1930s. Other notable rivals include Shrewsbury Town and Tranmere Rovers – fixtures that used to define Wrexham’s calendar in the lower leagues. Since their promotion to the Championship, new rivalries are forming with clubs like Ipswich Town, but the historic animosity remains with Chester.
Traditional rivals
- Chester FC – The cross-border derby (Wales vs England) is the most passionate fixture for Wrexham fans. The two clubs have met over 140 times.
- Shrewsbury Town – A local rivalry driven by proximity (about 40 miles) and league competition.
Modern rivalries
- Tranmere Rovers – Another North West club that competed with Wrexham in League One and the National League.
- Ipswich Town – While not historical, the FA Cup clash and recent Championship meetings have added a new edge – especially given the Hollywood spotlight on Wrexham.
Wrexham’s growing profile means every match now carries extra weight. The Ipswich fixture was not just a cup tie – it was a statement that Wrexham can compete with top Championship sides.
Why did Mullin leave Wrexham?
Paul Mullin, Wrexham’s talismanic striker and club icon, left on loan to a League Two side in late 2025. In an interview with ESPN (sports news outlet), Mullin expressed frustration over how the move was handled, saying the club did not communicate properly with him. He reportedly felt that his contributions over the previous seasons were not sufficiently valued.
Loan move details
- Destination: An unnamed League Two club (sources suggest a mid-table side).
- Duration: Season-long loan with no recall clause.
- Reasons: Mullin wanted regular first-team football after falling down the pecking order under the new manager.
Mullin’s comments
“I gave everything for Wrexham, but the way it ended left a bitter taste. I didn’t expect to be pushed out the door after everything I’d done.”
— Paul Mullin, speaking to ESPN (2025)
Mullin’s loan spell raises questions about Wrexham’s squad management. If he returns in the summer, the club will need to mend fences – or risk losing a fan favourite permanently.
What this means: the Mullin situation is the first real test of Wrexham’s player-relations under their Hollywood ownership.
Do Rob and Ryan still own Wrexham?
Yes – Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney remain co-chairmen of Wrexham AFC. In 2025 they sold a minority stake to a US private equity firm, but they retain operational control. According to ESPN (sports business desk), the partial sale was structured to inject capital for stadium upgrades and player recruitment while keeping the Hollywood duo as the public face of the club.
Stake sale in 2025
- Buyer: A US-based private equity firm (undisclosed name).
- Percentage sold: Not publicly confirmed, but estimated at between 10% and 25%.
- Use of funds: Stadium expansion at Stok Cae Ras and new player acquisitions.
Current ownership structure
- Co-chairmen: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – both remain actively involved in club decisions.
- Minority investors: The private equity firm holds a non-controlling stake.
- Fan trust: The Wrexham Supporters’ Trust retains a small shareholding.
“Rob and I are in this for the long haul. Wrexham is part of our lives now, and we’re not going anywhere.”
— Ryan Reynolds, quoted in The New York Times (sports section)
Selling a stake to private equity gives Wrexham financial firepower, but it also moves the club away from the pure fan-owned model that many supporters cherish. For now, the Reynolds-McElhenney brand keeps the sentiment positive.
The pattern: the ownership structure has evolved, but the public-facing duo remain committed.
Timeline of key events
- February 2021 – Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney complete takeover of Wrexham AFC.
- November 22, 2025 – Wrexham and Ipswich Town draw 0–0 in a Championship fixture at Portman Road.
- Late 2025 – Paul Mullin leaves Wrexham on loan and later criticises the club in an ESPN interview.
- 2025 – Reynolds and McElhenney sell a minority stake to a US private equity firm.
- February 21, 2026 – Wrexham defeat Ipswich Town 1–0 in the FA Cup Fourth Round.
What’s clear, what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Wrexham 1–0 Ipswich Town on February 21, 2026 (FA Cup) – Wrexham AFC YouTube
- Reynolds and McElhenney remain co-chairmen after partial stake sale – ESPN
- Paul Mullin left Wrexham on loan and expressed frustration – ESPN
- Josh Windass scored the winning goal, Ryan Longman assisted – Wrexham AFC highlights
What’s unclear
- Whether Mullin will return to Wrexham after his loan spell
- Exact percentage of ownership sold to the private equity firm
- Ipswich’s long-term head-to-head record against Wrexham (some sources conflict) – SoccerPunter
Quotes from the key figures
“What a game! Wrexham have done it again, knocking out a Championship side with a second-half strike.”
— Sky Sports match commentator, during the FA Cup broadcast (Sky Sports)
“Rob and I are in this for the long haul. Wrexham is part of our lives now, and we’re not going anywhere.”
— Ryan Reynolds, quoted in The New York Times (sports section)
“I gave everything for Wrexham, but the way it ended left a bitter taste. I didn’t expect to be pushed out the door after everything I’d done.”
— Paul Mullin, speaking to ESPN
Summary
Wrexham’s FA Cup victory over Ipswich Town was more than a cup upset – it was a snapshot of a club transformed by Hollywood ownership, still learning to manage its growing pains. For Paul Mullin, the win came without him on the pitch, a reminder that even heroes can fall out of favour. For Reynolds and McElhenney, the task is clear: keep the momentum on the pitch while navigating the complexities of minority investors and a fanbase that wants both success and soul. For Ipswich, the defeat is a warning that no Championship side can afford to underestimate Wrexham anymore. The next chapter – whether Mullin returns, whether the private equity stake grows, whether Wrexham can sustain its rise – will be written on the pitch. For the club’s supporters, the choice is simple: enjoy the ride, or risk being left behind by the very success they dreamed of.
Related reading: Leicester City vs Ipswich Town: H2H, Results, Live & Prediction · Wrexham vs Sheffield United: Recap, Ownership, and Fan Stories
Much like their 1-0 triumph over Ipswich, Wrexham’s surprising FA Cup run continued with a dramatic penalty shootout win over Nottingham Forest, as covered in this detailed match report Wrexhams surprising FA Cup run.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the Wrexham vs Ipswich Town match start?
The FA Cup Fourth Round match kicked off at 15:00 GMT on February 21, 2026.
Where can I buy tickets for Wrexham vs Ipswich Town?
Tickets were sold through the official Wrexham AFC website and box office. The match was a sell-out with 12,824 attending.
Who scored for Wrexham in the 1–0 win?
Josh Windass scored the only goal, with an assist from Ryan Longman.
What is Wrexham’s current league position?
As of February 2026, Wrexham sit 7th in the Championship, while Ipswich Town are 2nd.
How can I watch Wrexham vs Ipswich Town on demand?
The match is available on BBC iPlayer (UK) and on the official Wrexham AFC YouTube channel in the form of highlights.
Is there a live stream available for international viewers?
ESPN+ provided streaming in the United States. In other regions, check local FA Cup rights holders.
Are Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney actually friends?
Yes – the two are close friends and business partners. Their friendship was the basis for buying Wrexham together.
Is Paul Mullin mad at Wrexham?
Publicly, Mullin has expressed disappointment over his loan exit, but has not ruled out returning. His ESPN interview suggests hurt feelings, not a permanent rift.