Wrexham AFC Summer Tour: Dates, schedule for games in United States and Canada

After their latest promotion took them into English football's third tier, the Wrexham AFC roadshow will once more take them to the United States and Canada as part of their 2024/25 preseason summer schedule.

The Welsh club, founded back in October 1864, has become one of world soccer's most interesting tales since Canadian-American actor Ryan Reynolds and American actor Rob McElhenney confirmed their company RR McReynolds Company LLC had bought the club in late 2020.

Wrexham was then a non-league entity, outside of the English Football League looking in from 2008, but their story has become a major news source ever since.

Having finished as runners-up in League 2 in the 2023/24 season, Wrexham gained promotion to the next run up the football pyramid.

They are two steps from reaching the promised land of the Premier League and the immense riches that it entails.

Wrexham 2024 Summer Tour schedule

Wrexham will play three summer games in the United States and Canada ahead of the commencement of their 2024/25 League 1 campaign in August.

Billed as the 'Wrex Coast Tour' they have confirmed games against Premier League sides Bournemouth and Chelsea, as well as a clash with MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps.

• July 20, 2024 - Wrexham v. AFC Bournemouth - Harder Stadium, Santa Barbara, CA
• July 24, 2024 - Wrexham v. Chelsea FC - Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
• July 27, 2024 - Wrexham v. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

Wrexham 2024 Summer Tour opponents

AFC Bournemouth

After returning to the Premier League as runners-up in the Championship in 2021/22, Bournemouth managed to survive in the top flight, finishing five points clear of the drop zone.

Following the surprise appointment of Andoni Iraola as manager in the summer, the Cherries have enjoyed a much more successful season, threatening a top-half finish while boasting one of the best strikers in the 2023/24 Premier League season in Dominic Solanke.

Chelsea

Although Chelsea may have endured a couple of seasons in the doldrums, there is no doubt they are one of the biggest clubs in English football, having won the top-flight title on no less than six occasions - most recently in 2016/17.

Eight FA Cup successes and five League Cups wins emphasise their standing, while they have also been successful on the continent, having been crowned Champions League winners twice, with their success in 2020-21 leading to their FIFA Club World Cup win in 2021.

Vancouver Whitecaps

Vancouver Whitecaps are three-time winners of the Canadian Championship, first lifting the title in 2015 but winning the last two editions of the tournament by beating Toronto FC in 2022 and Montreal CF last year.

Although they have never quite replicated that success in the MLS - their best finish came in 2015 when they finished third - 2024 offers some hope as they won five and lost only two of their opening 10 games - and they are listed at +1600 to land their first title.

Wrexham 2024 Summer Tour locations & stadiums

The first stop will be Harder Stadium, Santa Barbara, CA for a game against Bournemouth.  From there, Wrexham head to Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA for a game against the mighty Chelsea.

The final leg of the tour sees the Welsh outfit bound for the home of the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place, Vancouver, Canada.

How to watch Wrexham Summer Tour, TV channel and streaming

Information on how to watch the Wrexham Summer Tour will be added to this article once it becomes available.

Wrexham AFC Summer Tour reaction

Manager Phil Parkinson acknowledges that last season's exposure in North America was a major success for the club and he's eager to see their wings spread further, this time to Canada – where he hopes they'll give another boost to a growing fan base.

"Last year's US Tour was a fantastic experience, and a memorable trip for all the players and staff," he told the club website.

"After another successful campaign, we're delighted to be heading to the West Coast again this summer, and we're also looking forward to venturing up to Vancouver and spreading the club's footprint into Canada. It will be a great chance to meet new supporters."

Wrexham rise continues

The Red Dragons re-entered the English Football League (EFL) last season in League 2 – the fourth tier.

They finished second to champions Stockport County and thus earned automatic promotion into League 1 for the 2024/25 season.

If they can make it a hat-trick of promotion, they would move into the Championship next, leaving them one step from the potential glamour and glitz of the Premier League.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.