Wrexham AFC games will soon be available to stream internationally. The National League, which covers the fifth and sixth tiers of English soccer, has reached an agreement with BT Sport so that the matches can be broadcast. BT Sport currently owns the broadcast rights to the league until 2023/24.
Initially a soft launch starting December 10, National League games will be fully available around Christmas. SportsPro Media reports that the sixth-tier North and South divisions will also be slowly introduced in the coming months.
League says all 72 teams benefit from deal
The National League confirmed the news in a recent official statement. “A significant amount of work has been going on behind the scenes with the League now in a position to announce a soft launch of the streaming platform on Saturday December 10 with a full launch two weeks later,” the statement read.
“In the first phase of the launch, streaming will be introduced only for National Division clubs, while the League works with clubs in the North and South who run pilot events in the second half of the season to logistically ensure that can deliver for the Northern and Southern Divisions by the 2023./24 season.”
“The National League would like to reiterate its commitment to provide a quality broadcast platform that benefits all 72 member clubs.”
Ryan Reynolds has been asking for a deal for months
News of the deal comes months after Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds criticized the league over the issue. Reynolds took to Twitter to express his frustration that the National League blocked games from being available to stream.
“After months of best effort, the decision (due to inaction by the Vanarama National League) to not allow the national/international broadcast of Wrexham and the other clubs in the league is truly shocking,” Reynolds tweeted.
“Depriving every team in our league the opportunity to expand the fan base while increasing league revenue benefits everyone,” the actor continued. “This is a spotlight and an opportunity and we ask the National League to take advantage of it. And we urge Vanarama and BT Sport to help them find the wisdom to do so.”
A National League spokesperson previously told World Soccer Talk that “the project has not been accelerated. The National League was exploring broadcast options for almost a year.”
There are some concerns about how the new direct-to-consumer service will affect stadium attendance. However, the league is exploring options for how to split the revenue between the teams in the new deal. Regardless, American fans of Welcome to Wrexham are sure to be happy with the news.
Stream Wrexham games around the world, even from the US.
Wrexham’s first possible game on the new streaming service may come on December 10 when the Red Dragons play Eastleigh. At press time, no details have been announced as to whether it will be Wrexham’s first game in the National League broadcast to viewers around the world.
Photo Credit: IMAGO/PA Images
