Wrexham will bring their American pre‑season tour to a close when they face Sunderland at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Sunday. The fixture represents a high‑profile end to a summer schedule that has attracted worldwide attention to the Welsh club and its Hollywood owners.
Match and broadcast details
The game kicks off at 12pm ET and is available to UK viewers via ESPN/ESPN+ coverage. The match forms part of both clubs' preparations ahead of their respective domestic campaigns.
- When: Sunday, 2 August 2026
- Where: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia area)
- Kick‑off: 12pm ET (approx. 5pm BST)
- Broadcast: ESPN / ESPN+
Form and recent results
Sunderland arrive having consolidated a return to the top flight; they finished seventh in the Premier League last season, collecting 54 points and earning a place in the Europa League. That high finish marks the club's best campaign since their last top‑flight spell in 2016–17 and will bring European competition back to the Stadium of Light for the first time since the early 1970s.
Wrexham's tour has been notable for results against much larger names. The side claimed victories over Manchester United (1–0) and Leeds United (3–2), and were narrowly beaten 1–0 by Liverpool at Yankee Stadium. Those matches follow a season in which Wrexham, back in the second tier, missed out on the Championship play‑offs by two points.
Local context and what follows
For Wrexham supporters the tour has offered a global showcase for the club's recent progress under its ownership. Co‑owner Rob McElhenney is a Philadelphia native; he and Ryan Reynolds purchased the club in 2020 and have overseen promotion through three divisions since then. The friendly will act as a final fitness test before Wrexham begin competitive action in the EFL Cup against Middlesbrough on 7 August.
| Club | Recent notable pre‑season results | Next competitive match |
|---|---|---|
| Wrexham | Beat Manchester United 1–0; beat Leeds 3–2; lost to Liverpool 1–0 | EFL Cup at Middlesbrough, 7 Aug |
| Sunderland | Completed US tour; returning Premier League squad | Europa League/PL season preparations |
Prediction and significance
The encounter has attracted interest not only for the contrast in recent domestic levels — Sunderland fresh from a top‑flight top‑ten finish and Wrexham rebuilding in the Championship — but also for what it says about the growing international profile of the Welsh club. One prediction published ahead of the match suggested a narrow Sunderland win, with a 2–1 scoreline tipped, but the competitive nature of Wrexham's tour results suggests the outcome could be close.
For local supporters, the fixture is another milestone in a period of rapid change for Wrexham AFC: important for fitness and momentum, and a public relations opportunity as the club continues to cement its place on a wider stage.
