Wrexham's FA Cup replay to air in United States

Wrexham’s FA Cup replay on Tuesday is airing live to viewers in the United States of America.

After Saturday’s exciting draw at Blyth Spartans, Wrexham’s FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round replay streams live Tuesday on ESPN+ at a 2:45PM ET kickoff. Hence, viewers across the United States can see Wrexham AFC play in front of their fans at the Racecourse Ground. Accordingly, it’s a stadium that viewers of the hit series Welcome to Wrexham already know all too well.

Wrexham’s FA Cup replay another plus for ESPN

Saturday’s draw between Blyth Spartans and Wrexham on ESPN2 was a historic event for viewers in the United States. It was the first FA Cup qualifying round game ever to air on US television.

Impressively, ESPN hired their own crew of talent to call the game and provide pre-match, half time and post-match analysis. With commentators Guy Mowbray and Alan Smith calling the game exclusively for the audience in the United States, they were aided by pitchside talent featuring host Angus Scott. He was joined by analysts Steve Watson and Hal Robson-Kanu.

Blyth Spartans’ late equalizer meant that a replay is necessary to determine a winner. However, Monday’s FA Cup draw for the First Round will reveal who the winner of Wrexham-Blyth plays in the next round. A win for Wrexham against Blyth certainly improves their chances of being featured by ESPN once again.

Wrexham’s connection to ESPN

ESPN’s connection to Wrexham AFC is a marketing dream, helping both companies promote each other.

First, there’s the Welcome to Wrexham series on Hulu (season 2 has been greenlit), which is available as part of the Disney Bundle. Second, Welcome to Wrexham airs in Europe on Disney+. Third, viewers are drawn to Wrexham games on ESPN+ because of the popularity of Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Fourth and finally, ESPN+ promotes many of its other soccer programming during Wrexham games. For instance, Saturday’s Blyth-Wrexham match promoted El Clásico, as well as the DFB-Pokal Cup.

Most importantly, though, is the storytelling aspect. Welcome to Wrexham has done an incredible job at telling us the stories of the players, staff, volunteers and fans involved with the club. And they’ve done it in such an endearing way. We feel for the Wrexham community. At the same time, the series has helped us feel part of the community itself, too.

Long may that continue.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images