Wrexham will be breaking new ground this summer as they spend pre-season Down Under.
Ever since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over the club in 2020, its horizons have been broadened every year.
The Red Dragons made it back-to-back-to-back promotions this season, completing a history-making rise from non-league to the Championship.
It has seen them reach the second tier of English football in the modern era for the first time.
But the incredible firsts keep coming for Wrexham, who, pushed on by the investment and commitment of Reynolds and McElhenney, are set for a big summer.
The well-known actors have taken the club to the next level, not only in football, but in world fame, with them now being huge in the United States.
That will have been helped by the fact that Wrexham have spent the last two pre-seasons in the US, first touring across the pond in 2023.
It saw them face Manchester United in the States before the Red Dragons then returned for another tour in 2024, taking on Chelsea.
Following another promotion, it would have been largely expected that the club would be back in the US for a third time, especially after another celebratory Las Vegas trip.
However, that’s not the case, as they are instead touring Australia and New Zealand.
Wrexham have announced the team’s 2025 pre-season plans, and they include three games on the other side of the world against A-League sides.
They will take on Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC in Australia, and Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand throughout July.
The latest Wrexham tour continues Reynolds and McElhenney’s goal of making the club go global, and they explained that in the announcement.
They said: “From the very beginning, we wanted to help make Wrexham a globally recognised team, town and brand.
“We could not be more excited to bring the Red Dragons to Australia and New Zealand.”
The co-Chairmen then added their typical comedic side, mentioning Reynolds’ co-star in Deadpool vs Wolverine, Hugh Jackman, who is Australian.
“And we are particularly proud that this announcement features neither a Men at Work nor a Hugh Jackman joke,” they added.
“The latter of which took maturity and tremendous restraint. We’re proud of Ryan. Of course, we make no promises going forward.”
Wrexham’s Tour of Australia and New Zealand
Friday, July 11
- Melbourne Victory vs Wrexham – 9:30am GMT – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia
Tuesday, July 15
- Sydney vs Wrexham – 9:30am GMT – Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia
Saturday, July 19
- Wellington Phoenix vs Wrexham – 5am GMT – Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
Wrexham’s global rise will take to new heights this summer, and the club is also looking to use that to promote an improving division in the A-League.
Part of their statement on the tour reads: “With the A-League continuing to grow in stature and talent, these matches promise to deliver a compelling showcase of football, blending Wrexham’s global story with the skill and intensity of the elite clubs.
“Fans can expect fast-paced, competitive fixtures that highlight the quality and passion of both leagues.”
Should Reynolds, McElhenney and manager Phil Parkinson continue to lead the club through the English pyramid, they could be a Premier League side next year.
Of course, that’s a longshot, but you could already say that Wrexham have the reputation and global appeal that many top-flight teams do.
So, after they increase their popularity further on the opposite side of the globe, they certainly wouldn’t struggle to hold their own amongst giants in that respect.
