Loved ‘Welcome to Wrexham‘, the Emmy-winning documentary about actor duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney buying a Welsh football club and falling in love with the game and community? Well, a new chapter will unfold Down Under this winter, as Wrexham AFC have just announced plans for a preseason tour of Australia and New Zealand, which includes a stop at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium this July.
The club will take on Sydney FC on July 15, their second date of the tour after a game against Melbourne Victory, and before a jaunt across the Tasman Sea to face Wellington Phoenix. Kicking off at 7:30pm, the evening match will help the Welsh club sharpen their skills ahead of the biggest season in their history, as they aim to reach the riches and glory of England’s Premier League.
Why are Wrexham touring Australia?
The club’s popularity has skyrocketed since the Hollywood-flavoured takeover in 2020, mostly through the exposure from the documentary. Wrexham have established a global fanbase off the back of that, and after a US tour last preseason, they’ll make their first tour to Australia to connect with fans out here.
“From the very beginning, we wanted to help make Wrexham a globally recognised team, town and brand,” Reynolds and McElhenney said in a statement. “We could not be more excited to bring the Red Dragons to Australia and New Zealand, and we are particularly proud that this announcement features neither a Men at Work or Hugh Jackman joke. The latter of which took maturity and tremendous restraint. We’re proud of Ryan.”
How good are Wrexham AFC?
Glad you asked; five years ago, Wrexham were kicking around the National League, in the fifth tier of English football. Galvanised by the arrival of star power on and off the pitch – and admittedly, a hefty cash injection for a lower league team – they’ve risen through the ranks quickly, having recently completed a third consecutive promotion that’s taken them to the second-tier Championship for the first time since 1982. Next year, they’ll face former Premier League clubs like Southampton and Leicester, in a bid to reach England’s first division for the first time in the club’s history. Maybe a bit of Aussie exposure can help them take that final step?
How can I get tickets to the game?
It’ll be fastest fingers first when tickets go on sale at 9am AEST on Friday, May 16. Prices will start from $59 for adults and $39 for children, but given the popularity of the club, they’re expected to disappear very quickly. Find out more on the ticket page here.