Welsh Minnows Wrexham Draw Chelsea at Home in FA Cup Giant-Killing Opportunity
Wrexham, 16 February 2026
Championship side Wrexham will host Premier League giants Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round, marking their first appearance in the last 16 for 29 years. The Hollywood-owned Welsh club, backed by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, faces eight-time FA Cup winners Chelsea at their home ground on the weekend of 7-8 March 2026, presenting a classic David versus Goliath matchup with massive upset potential in English football’s premier cup competition.
From Non-League to Premier League Opposition
Wrexham’s journey to this momentous fifth-round tie represents one of football’s most remarkable modern transformation stories. The Welsh club reached the last 16 for the first time in 29 years by beating Ipswich Town on Friday, 14 February 2026 [1][2]. This achievement comes just over five years after Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their takeover in late 2020, when Wrexham was languishing in the fifth-tier National League [5]. The club has since climbed two divisions, securing promotion to the Championship in summer 2025 after finishing second in League One [5].
Chelsea’s Cup Pedigree Meets Welsh Determination
Chelsea arrives at the Racecourse Ground as eight-time FA Cup winners, having secured their place in the fifth round with a commanding 4-0 victory over Hull City on Friday [4][5]. Pedro Neto struck a hat-trick in the win at the MKM Stadium, with Estevao Willian also finding the net as Liam Rosenior’s side advanced [5]. The Blues lost three consecutive FA Cup finals from 2020 to 2022 but remain formidable opponents for any lower-league side [4]. The two clubs have not met competitively since February 1982 in the old Division Two, though they have faced each other in pre-season friendlies in the United States, with Chelsea winning 5-0 in 2023 and drawing 2-2 in summer 2024 [5].
Prize Money and Path to Glory
The financial incentive for Wrexham extends beyond the romantic notion of giant-killing, with winning clubs in the fifth round receiving £238,500 from the competition prize fund for the 2025-26 season [3]. Currently sitting in eighth position in the Championship, just one point below the play-offs, Wrexham has demonstrated they can compete at a high level whilst maintaining their cup ambitions [5]. The draw was conducted by former Chelsea player Joe Cole and Karen Carney ahead of Monday evening’s tie between Macclesfield and Brentford [3][5].
Other Notable Fifth Round Fixtures
The draw has also set up other intriguing matchups for the weekend of 7-8 March 2026. Arsenal, who are pursuing a quadruple this season, will travel to League One side Mansfield Town, who reached the fifth round for the first time since 1975 by winning 2-1 at Burnley on Saturday [1][4]. The Gunners face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final next month, lead the Premier League by four points, and qualified for the Champions League knockout stage by winning all eight of their league-phase matches [4]. Manchester City themselves face Newcastle United at St James’ Park in an all-Premier League tie, as Pep Guardiola’s side aims for a fourth successive FA Cup final appearance after being beaten finalists in the past two seasons [1][4]. Liverpool will travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers, whilst other ties include Fulham versus Southampton and Leeds United hosting Norwich City [1][3][4].