Levi’s Stadium will host a pair of historic football clubs from the United Kingdom for an exhibition match this summer.
Chelsea F.C. and Wrexham AFC will play a friendly at the 49ers’ stadium on July 24, when the two teams will meet for a rematch of last year’s friendly, when Chelsea smoked Wrexham, 5-0.
If the scoreline was to be expected, perhaps the turnout was not.
Played in Chapel Hill last summer, the game sold out with more than 50,000 fans in attendance. Tickets were sold out after just a few days on sale.
Tickets for this year’s rematch won’t go on sale until Wednesday, March 13th, with presale opening on Monday, March 11.
It’s been a tough season for Chelsea, which entered Friday third in the English Premier League table, but the club remains one of the most popular in the world. And it’s just three years removed from capturing the UEFA Champions League title over Manchester City.
“It is great to be playing Wrexham once again, following the success of last year’s encounter in Chapel Hill,” Chelsea CEO Chris Jurasek said in a statement. “We look forward to playing in front of our loyal supporters based in California at the Levi’s Stadium, which is sure to create a wonderful atmosphere.”
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Now featuring 21-year-old budding star Cole Palmer alongside veteran goal-scorer Raheem Sterling, Chelsea is sure to be a heavy favorite over Wrexham, a club that plays in England’s fourth division. Founded in 1864, the club is the third-oldest professional football club in the world.
Wrexham skyrocketed in popularity after being purchased by celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2020. They created a documentary that premiered in 2022 called “Welcome to Wrexham” on FX. The show won five Primetime Emmy Awards.
In 2023, the club won a league title in England’s fifth division, promoting them to the fourth division for the first time in 15 years. As of Friday, Wrexham ranked third in the table, good enough for another promotion if the club holds its position by season’s end.
Wrexham plans to play three matches in the United States this summer.
“It was a great privilege to meet fans in the US last summer, and we’re excited to see more of our passionate supporters in San Francisco in July,” said Wrexham AFC manager Phil Parkinson.