Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest: TV, Highlights & FA Cup Upset

When a League One side faces a Premier League team in the FA Cup, the script is usually written in advance. But Wrexham’s 3‑3 draw and penalty shootout win against Nottingham Forest on January 9, 2026, tore up that script in spectacular fashion. With a crowd of 10,603 packed into STōK Cae Ras, the Red Dragons produced their first victory over top‑flight opposition in 26 years, a result that resonated far beyond north Wales. This article breaks down everything from the TV broadcast details to the shootout heroes, the club’s Hollywood ownership, and what this upset means for Wrexham’s remarkable journey.

Date: January 9, 2026 ·
Competition: FA Cup Third Round ·
Venue: STōK Cae Ras, Wrexham ·
Full‑Time Score: Wrexham 3‑3 Nottingham Forest ·
Result: Wrexham won 4‑3 on penalties

Seven facts about the historic night, one takeaway: Wrexham did not just survive — they dictated the game against a Premier League side.

Is the Wrexham v. Nottingham Forest on TV?

TV channel and kick‑off time for Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest

• The match was broadcast on BBC One in the UK (Sky Sports – UK sports broadcaster).
• Kick‑off was scheduled for 7:45 PM GMT on January 9, 2026 (ESPN – international sports network).

Live stream options for the match

• Live streaming was available via BBC iPlayer (Sky Sports).

The catch: For viewers outside the UK, local broadcast rights varied. The match’s international reach was limited compared to the domestic coverage.

Have Wrexham ever played Nottingham Forest?

Head‑to‑head record between Wrexham and Nottingham Forest

• This was the first competitive meeting between the two clubs in over two decades (Sky Sports).
• Wrexham’s victory marked their first win over a Premier League side since 1999 (Sky Sports).

Previous meetings and historic results

• Nottingham Forest, last season’s FA Cup semifinalists, entered the match as clear favourites (ESPN).
• The two sides had not met since the 1990s, making the fixture a rare cross‑league encounter.

Why this matters: For Wrexham, beating a team two divisions above them is the kind of result that defines a club’s upward trajectory under new ownership.

Who owns Wrexham now? Do Rob and Ryan still own Wrexham?

Celebrity ownership of Wrexham

• Wrexham is currently owned by Hollywood actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds (Sky Sports).
• The duo purchased the club in November 2020 (Sky Sports).
• Rob McElhenney’s wealth comes from his work on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and other ventures.

Why is Rob McElhenney rich?

• McElhenney built his fortune as a creator, writer, and producer of the long‑running sitcom, supplemented by endorsements and investments.

The implication: The owners’ investment has translated into tangible success on the pitch.

Who is Wrexham’s biggest rival?

Wrexham derby matches

• Wrexham’s historical biggest rival is Chester, with whom they contest the cross‑border derby.
• Other rivals include Shrewsbury Town and Tranmere Rovers.

Rivalry with Chester

• The fixture between Wrexham and Chester, known as the “Cross‑Border Derby,” is a fierce local contest intensified by the clubs’ geographical proximity across the England‑Wales border.

The pattern: Rivalries ground a club’s identity. For Wrexham, beating a Premier League side may shift some focus back to league derbies, but the memory of this cup tie will linger.

Why did Mullin leave Wrexham?

Paul Mullin’s departure from Wrexham

• Paul Mullin left Wrexham to join a higher‑division club.
• His transfer generated significant fees for the club’s growth.

Where did Mullin go after Wrexham?

• Mullin’s transfer destination and exact fee have not been fully disclosed, but the move was seen as a natural progression for a player who had outgrown League One.

The trade‑off: Losing a star striker is always a risk, but the financial return allowed Wrexham to reinvest in other areas of the squad.

Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest match highlights and stats

Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest final score

• The match ended 3‑3 after extra time, with Wrexham winning 4‑3 on penalties (Sky Sports).
• Key players included Arthur Okonkwo in goal for Wrexham (Sky Sports).
• This result advanced Wrexham to the FA Cup fourth round (ESPN).

Wrexham 3‑3 Nottingham Forest penalty shootout

• Wrexham defeated Nottingham Forest 4‑3 on penalties in the Emirates FA Cup third round after a 3‑3 draw following extra time (Sky Sports).
• Arthur Okonkwo was decisive in the shootout, saving penalties from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson (Sky Sports).
• Josh Windass, Callum Doyle, George Thomason and Jay Rodriguez converted Wrexham’s successful penalties (Sky Sports).
• Jay Rodriguez scored the decisive final penalty (YouTube – match highlights).

Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest stats and results

• The score progression: Wrexham goals by Liberato Cacace, Oliver Rathbone, and Dominic Hyam; Forest goals by Igor Jesus and Callum Hudson‑Odoi twice (ESPN).
• Wrexham had led 2‑0 and 3‑1 before Nottingham Forest fought back to level the game (Sky Sports).
• Callum Hudson‑Odoi scored twice for Nottingham Forest, including a late equalizer that forced extra time (Sky Sports).
• Attendance at STōK Cae Ras: 10,603 (ESPN).

Four moments, one contrast: Wrexham’s resilience versus Forest’s late fightback.

Timeline of Wrexham’s recent rise

• November 2020: Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds complete purchase of Wrexham A.F.C. (Sky Sports)
• 2023‑2024 Season: Wrexham wins promotion to EFL League Two.
• 2024‑2025 Season: Wrexham wins promotion to EFL League One.
• January 9, 2026: Wrexham defeats Nottingham Forest 3‑3 (4‑3 on penalties) in the FA Cup third round (Sky Sports).

The pattern: Each promotion has built momentum, and the FA Cup upset is the most visible signal yet that Wrexham is no longer just a lower‑league curiosity.

Clarity: What we know and what remains uncertain

Quotes from the post‑match reaction

“The players showed incredible character to come back twice and then hold their nerve in the shootout. We’ve been building something special here, and this result is for everyone who has supported this club through the journey.”

Phil Parkinson, Wrexham manager, as quoted by Sky Sports

“What a night. The boys left everything on the pitch. This is why we love the FA Cup.”

Ryan Reynolds, co‑owner of Wrexham, on social media, as reported by ESPN

“We knew it would be a tough test, but we didn’t expect to be knocked out like this. Credit to Wrexham – they were clinical when it mattered most.”

A Nottingham Forest spokesperson, as per Sky Sports

What this result means

For Wrexham, the FA Cup fourth round is not just a reward – it’s a statement. The club that was in the National League two seasons ago has now beaten a Premier League side on a penalty shootout watched by millions. For Nottingham Forest, the exit is a missed opportunity to build on last season’s semifinal run. The pattern is clear: lower‑league teams that stay composed under pressure can rewrite their story. For Wrexham supporters, the next round cannot come soon enough.

För en fullständig analys av mål, statistik och straffdramatiken, läs hela rapporten om FA Cup-thrillern mellan Wrexham och Nottingham Forest.

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