Apollo Global Management has acquired a minority stake in Wrexham AFC, adding one of Europe’s fastest-growing football projects to its expanding sports portfolio, while Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac remain in full control, the FT reported on Monday.

The investment, understood to be less than 10%, will also fund redevelopment of the Racecourse Ground. The financing supports Wrexham’s long-term plan to reach the Premier League, continuing the club’s rapid transformation under its celebrity owners. Reynolds and Mac said: “The dream has always been to take this club to the Premier League while staying true to the town. Growth like that takes world-class partners who share our vision and ambition, and Apollo absolutely does.”

Wrexham’s global profile has soared since its £2m acquisition in 2021 and the release of the Disney documentary Welcome to Wrexham. Shirt sales reached about 100,000 last year, half to fans overseas, and revenue this season is expected to reach £50m, nearly double the prior year. The club has climbed from non-league football to the EFL Championship after three consecutive promotions.

Apollo partner Lee Solomon described the transaction as a “multi-faceted investment” providing “long-term, patient capital to help Wrexham reach its goals and to contribute to the ongoing revitalisation of the facilities and local economy.”

The deal strengthens Apollo’s presence in European football amid record private capital inflows into the sector. Apollo recently agreed to acquire a majority stake in Atlético Madrid in a deal valuing the club at more than €2bn. It has also lent to Nottingham Forest and to a horseracing company linked to super-agent Kia Joorabchian.

Major private equity firms are moving aggressively into global sport, with CVC, Sixth Street, and Ares among those buying stakes in clubs and leagues. KKR is currently in talks to acquire sports-focused firm Arctos Partners.

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