Hugh Jackman in talks to buy stake in Norwich City, eyeing Championship rivalry with Ryan Reynolds

Hugh Jackman is in active discussions about buying a stake in Norwich City, the actor confirmed in a TalkSPORT interview, describing the Championship club as “an exciting team” and declaring his prediction that they will win promotion this season.

Jackman, 57, said his interest is personal as well as financial. “My mother is from Norwich,” he explained, adding that he has visited Carrow Road on multiple occasions. “I love the Canaries, and this is the year we’re going to get promoted.”

The Wolverine star could not resist a dig at his Deadpool & Wolverine co-star Ryan Reynolds, who co-owns Wrexham AFC alongside fellow actor Rob McElhenney. With both clubs currently in the Championship, Jackman relished the prospect of a celebrity-tinged rivalry. “Good on Ryan, you do your thing. I’m all about the Canaries,” he said, before predicting that both Norwich and Wrexham would earn promotion this year.

If a deal is completed, Jackman would join a growing list of high-profile names with stakes in English football. NFL legend Tom Brady holds a share in Birmingham City — who beat Norwich 2-1 in the Championship last week — while Black Panther actor Michael B. Jordan is a part-owner of AFC Bournemouth, comedian Will Ferrell has shares in Leeds United, and singer Ed Sheeran is a minority owner of Ipswich Town. Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg are minority co-owners of Swansea City.

Norwich’s majority shareholder is American billionaire Mark Attanasio, who also owns the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. Attanasio began investing in the club in 2022 and took majority control from Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones in August 2024.

Jackman acknowledged he had previously passed on a similar opportunity. He was offered the chance to invest in Norwich back in 2010 but turned it down — a decision he appears determined not to repeat.