Wrexham vs Nottm Forest (2026 FA Cup): Result, Highlights

Few FA Cup ties carry the weight of a club’s entire modern story. When Wrexham walked out at the Racecourse Ground on 9 January 2026 against Nottingham Forest, they were chasing more than a fourth-round berth — they were chasing a 26-year-old ghost. By the time the penalty shootout ended, they had exorcised it with a 4-3 win that sent the Hollywood-owned club into the next round and delivered the kind of night fans will talk about for decades.

Match: Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest ·
Date: 9 January 2026 ·
Competition: FA Cup Third Round ·
Venue: Racecourse Ground, Wrexham ·
Result: 3-3 (4-3 pens) ·
Winner: Wrexham

Six facts from the night, one pattern: a League One side outlasted a Premier League opponent through discipline and a goalkeeper who chose the right moments.

A comparison of the two teams’ profiles and performance in the tie:

Is the Wrexham v. Nottingham Forest on TV?

While the match itself has been played, many fans still want to know where they could watch — or catch highlights. According to the Sky Sports match report published at 23:27 UK time on 9 January, the game was covered extensively by the broadcaster. Details on specific international channels are not fully confirmed, but the fixture was listed within the standard FA Cup broadcast slate.

• UK broadcast: Sky Sports (confirmed by coverage of the match)
• US broadcast: ESPN (reported by multiple outlets, but not yet verified by official club sources)
• Live stream: BBC iPlayer (reported but unconfirmed)
• Kick-off time: 19:30 UTC (Sky Sports)

The implication: the broadcast details remain murky for international viewers, but UK fans had Sky Sports coverage. Official club announcements would clear this up for future ties.

Have Wrexham ever played Nottingham Forest?

Before 9 January 2026, the two clubs had not met in the FA Cup in many years. The match marked a rare competitive meeting between a League One side and a Premier League club. According to Sky Sports, Wrexham’s victory was their first over top-flight opposition in the FA Cup in 26 years — a stat that underscores the historic nature of the result.

• Previous meetings: limited to earlier cup rounds decades ago
• Head-to-head record: not thoroughly documented in available sources
• Context: Nottingham Forest had recent Premier League status, while Wrexham rose from non-league under Hollywood ownership

The pattern: these two clubs operate in different tiers of English football, making the FA Cup upset all the more remarkable.

Who are Wrexham’s biggest rivals?

Wrexham’s identity is shaped by border rivalries. The club’s main local adversary is Chester FC, with matches known as the Cross-border Derby. Tranmere Rovers and Shrewsbury Town also feature as historical rivals. These rivalries are rooted in the Welsh-English border geography and the competitive history of the lower leagues. While not directly related to the Nottingham Forest match, the context helps explain the club’s passionate fanbase.

• Chester FC: main rival
• Tranmere Rovers: notable rivalry
• Shrewsbury Town: historical derbies

The trade-off: rivalries fuel local interest, but the global attention from the FA Cup run brings a different kind of pressure — one the club is learning to manage.

Do Rob and Ryan still own Wrexham?

Yes. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased the club in 2020 and remain co-owners as of 2026. Their ownership has transformed Wrexham from a National League club into a globally recognized brand, with a documentary series, sponsorship deals, and now a famous FA Cup run. According to Sky Sports, the club’s rise under their stewardship is a central narrative of the 2025-26 FA Cup.

• Purchased club in 2020
• Co-owners as of 2026
• Increased global attention, including a Disney+ documentary

Why this matters: the ownership is not just a celebrity sideshow — it has delivered tangible results on the pitch and financial stability off it.

What is Wrexham’s stadium capacity?

The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham’s home since 1864, has an approximate capacity of 10,500. It is the oldest international stadium in Wales and has undergone upgrades since the takeover. Plans for further expansion have been discussed to meet growing demand. The ground was full for the Forest match, reflecting the club’s resurgence.

• Stadium name: Racecourse Ground
• Capacity: approximately 10,500
• Oldest international stadium in Wales
• Expansion plans under new ownership

The catch: a 10,500 capacity limits revenue from home games, but expansion could unlock more growth — assuming the club continues to climb.

Why is Rob McElhenney so rich?

Rob McElhenney is best known as the co-creator and star of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which has run for over a decade. He also profits from his production company and previous business ventures. While not a billionaire like some celebrity owners, his wealth — combined with Ryan Reynolds’ — was sufficient to purchase and invest in Wrexham.

• Co-creator and star of hit TV show
• Production company earnings
• Sale of previous business interests

The implication: his wealth is tied to entertainment, not football, which makes the Wrexham project a passion investment rather than a purely financial one.

Match timeline

• 9 Jan 2026 – 19:30 UTC: Kick-off (Sky Sports)
• First half: Goals by Liberato Cacace and Oliver Rathbone gave Wrexham a 2-0 lead (Wrexham AFC YouTube)
• Second half: Igor Jesus scored for Forest; Dominic Hyam restored Wrexham’s two-goal lead; Callum Hudson-Odoi scored twice to make it 3-3 (Wrexham AFC YouTube)
• Extra time – 0-0: No further goals
• Penalty shootout: Wrexham wins 4-3; Arthur Okonkwo saves from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson; Wrexham scorers: Josh Windass, Callum Doyle, George Thomason, Jay Rodriguez (Sky Sports)

Wrexham’s shootout hero was goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who saved penalties from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson.

Sky Sports

Wrexham led 2-0 at half-time through goals from Liberato Cacace and Oliver Rathbone.

Wrexham AFC YouTube

For Nottingham Forest, the defeat means an early exit from a competition they hoped to use to build momentum. For Wrexham, the reward is a fourth-round tie that could bring another giant killing — or the kind of exposure the Hollywood owners have been banking on. For the fans who packed the Racecourse Ground, the penalty shootout was the payoff of a 26-year wait.

Related reading: PSG vs Botafogo: 0-1 Result, Analysis & Highlights

Wrexhams minnesvärda straffseger över Nottingham Forest i FA Cupens tredje omgång analyserades ingående i Wrexhams FA Cup-seger över Nottingham Forest.

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