Wrexham set for 'special' US return - Parkinson

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says the club are "privileged" to have been invited back to the United States for another high-profile pre-season tour.

Parkinson's side fly to the US this week where they will face Premier League opposition in Leeds United, Liverpool and Sunderland.

The Championship club's previous tours of America have attracted huge crowds, due to their global profile under owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac as well as the success of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series

"It's a real privilege for us to be invited back there and attract the games and to be invited to play three Premier League clubs.

"When I speak to people around the country a lot of the Premiership clubs would like to be in America

"But getting the games and the tour has been difficult because of the World Cup.

"It's quite amazing for us and we never, ever take it for granted at all.

"It's very special to be part of a Wrexham squad travelling across the Atlantic and I want the lads to appreciate that."

Wrexham, preparing for a second successive season in the Championship, meet Leeds in Tampa on Sunday, 26 July before facing Liverpool in New York four days later.

Their final pre-season game is against Parkinson's former club Sunderland on Sunday, 2 August in Philadelphia, where Wrexham co-owner Rob Mac is from.

Wrexham toured the US in 2023 and 2024 with opponents including Manchester United and Chelsea and they return this year after spending the 2025 pre-season in Australia and New Zealand.

"The three tours we've had have been absolutely incredible," Parkinson added.

"The memories which have been created on those trips and the games and the places we've visited and the reception the club has had in the US has been absolutely amazing.

"We're looking forward to getting out there again

"There's been an air of anticipation for this trip because of the stadiums we're playing at and obviously the opposition we're playing against.

"Obviously we haven't been there for two years, but the last time we went there, the attendances were right up there.

"The atmospheres and the kind of support we had was brilliant and it's good to be taking another group of players out there with us.

"I know a lot of the players' families coming out to America, which is brilliant for them because their kids and parents and families coming out and having this experience with them is what it's all about.

"But obviously the lads know when we're out there, there's a real focus on what we've got to do on the training pitch and the games."

Forward Ryan Hardie will miss the trip due to a thigh strain, but Ryan Longman is set to resume full training during the trip to the States.

Elliot Lee, who missed last week's 1-0 win over Manchester United in Helsinki, will also travel to the United States.

"He's going to come on the trip because we feel that he should be in contention for the second game," Parkinson said.

"But equally we want to keep Elliot with us because, physically, he's in good shape.

"Even if he doesn't get many minutes out there, it'll be important for him to continue his training to maintain his fitness."