The final day of the EFL Championship season delivered a stark contrast in fortunes for two of English football’s most high-profile celebrity-linked clubs. While Ipswich Town secured a triumphant return to the top flight, the Hollywood-backed ascent of Wrexham AFC hit a heartbreaking snag in Wales.
Ipswich Town sealed their promotion to the Premier League on Saturday, May 2, 2026, with a decisive 3-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers. The result ensures the Tractor Boys
claim the second automatic promotion spot, completing a remarkable bounce-back after being relegated from the Premier League just 12 months prior.
The promotion is a massive victory for manager Kieran McKenna, whose side overcame a sluggish start to the 2025-26 campaign. After failing to win any of their first four matches and managing only three points in that opening stretch, Ipswich surged up the table to reclaim their place among England’s elite.
The success is particularly sweet for lifelong supporter and minority shareholder Ed Sheeran. The global superstar, who owns a 1.4% stake in the club and has been a prominent shirt sponsor since 2021, has long been a fixture at Portman Road. His investment is described by the club as passive and minority
, but his influence as a global ambassador has mirrored the club’s rise from League One back to the Premier League.
Wrexham’s Playoff Heartbreak
While Ipswich celebrated, the atmosphere was far more somber at the STōK Cae Ras. Wrexham AFC, co-owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, saw their hopes of a promotion playoff spot vanish in a dramatic final-day collapse.
Entering the final matchday in sixth place—holding the spot on goal difference—Wrexham needed a positive result against Middlesbrough to secure a place in the playoffs. Instead, they were held to a 2-2 draw. That result left the door open for Hull City, who defeated Norwich City 2-1 to leapfrog Wrexham and snatch the final playoff seed.
The Red Dragons finished the season in seventh place with 71 points, falling just two points short of the top six. It was a cruel end to their first season back in the second tier since the 1981-82 campaign.
“I am completely gutted by today’s result but incredibly proud of our season.” Ryan Reynolds, Wrexham AFC Co-owner
Manager Phil Parkinson echoed this sentiment, stating that while the result was disappointing, the club will return stronger
for the 2026-27 season. For a club that has climbed through the divisions with unprecedented global visibility, the gap between the Championship and the Premier League remains a formidable hurdle.
The Stakes of the Second Tier
The Championship is widely regarded as one of the most grueling leagues in world football due to its 46-game schedule and the immense financial reward of Premier League promotion. For Ipswich, the return to the top flight represents a restoration of status; for Wrexham, it is the final step in a multi-year project to bring a Welsh club back to the pinnacle of the English game.
The contrast in the two stories highlights the volatility of the league. Ipswich’s ability to recover from relegation within a single year is a testament to McKenna’s tactical continuity, while Wrexham’s narrow miss underscores how a single draw on the final day can derail a season’s worth of momentum.
Quick Comparison: Final Day Outcomes
| Club | Final Result | Outcome | Status for 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ipswich Town | 3-0 vs QPR | Automatic Promotion | Premier League |
| Wrexham AFC | 2-2 vs Middlesbrough | Missed Playoffs | EFL Championship |
For Wrexham fans, the focus now shifts to the summer recruitment window to bridge the two-point gap that separated them from the playoffs. For Ipswich, the focus turns to preparing for the financial and athletic demands of the Premier League, where they will appear to avoid the pitfalls that led to their relegation a year ago.
The next major milestone for both clubs will be the announcement of their 2026-27 squad rosters and pre-season tour schedules, typically released in June.
Do you think Wrexham can break through to the Premier League next season, or is the jump to the top flight too steep? Let us know in the comments.
