Birmingham City asked the English Football League (EFL) for permission to hold their League One match against Wrexham in the United States, a request that was promptly denied. If approved, it would have marked the first competitive English league fixture held outside England or Wales.
Both clubs have majority US ownership. Birmingham City was acquired by a US-based group in July of last year, with NFL legend Tom Brady joining as a minority investor a month later. Wrexham is owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who have played active roles in the club’s revival, achieving back-to-back promotions while documenting their journey in Disney+ documentaries to enhance their reputation in the US.
Despite the EFL’s refusal to allow the game to be played in the US, the league is keen on building a presence across the Atlantic. A new TV deal will increase their revenues by 40% by streaming games in the US. Birmingham’s unsuccessful bid may pave the way for larger ambitions, as earlier this year, there were discussions about the possibility of a Premier League match taking place in America due to the league’s growing popularity. Many English teams already attract large crowds during their pre-season tours in the US.