Wrexham's Premier League promotion bid falls short

Wrexham fell agonizingly short of a fourth consecutive promotion Saturday, putting their Premier League dreams on hold for another season.

The Welsh club, owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, finished in seventh place in the English League Championship following a disappointing 2-2 home draw against Middlesbrough.

Hull City (21-15-10, 73 points) leapfrogged Wrexham (19-13-14, 71 points) to finish sixth and claim the fourth and final spot in the promotion playoffs along with Millwall, Southampton and Middlesbrough. Table-topper Coventry and runner-up Ipswich Town earned automatic promotions.

All four goals Saturday came before halftime. Wrexham led 2-1 after Sam Smith's goal in the 41st minute, but David Strelec netted the game-winner for Middlesbrough just two minutes later.

Wrexham's remarkable rise saw them climb from the fifth-tier National League in 2022-23 to League Two in 2023-24, League One in 2024-25 and the Championship in 2025-26.

--Field Level Media