Wrexham target post-World Cup surge with US east coast tour | OneFootball

Wrexham are aiming to extend the summer’s football momentum with a commercial and sporting tour of the United States, leaning on a fast-growing North American fanbase.

According to NY Times, Phil Parkinson’s squad flew out on Wednesday for friendlies against Leeds United, Liverpool and Sunderland in Tampa, New York and Philadelphia, including a rare appearance at Yankee Stadium.

The trip features a NASDAQ kit launch with Times Square visuals and a red carpet event in Brooklyn, while familiar faces from Welcome to Wrexham, including The Turf’s Wayne Jones and former promotion heroes Steven Fletcher, Ben Tozer and Ben Foster, are joining. Owners Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds continue to amplify the club’s reach.

Football interest in the US is surging after a World Cup that drew 6,810,966 spectators across 104 games at an average of 65,490, the second highest behind USA 94. Tapping that market matters to Wrexham, with 57.7 per cent of a £33million 2024-25 turnover generated outside Europe and the UK. The documentary was renewed until 2029.

Parkinson stresses the tour is work first, with intensity and preparation paramount. Head of football operations Adam Greaves-Smith pre-checked facilities and travel, training is scheduled for cooler hours with an extended Florida base before flying to New York on the eve of the Liverpool game.

The calendar is tight. Sunderland closes the tour on August 2, the squad land back on Monday, August 3, then travel to Middlesbrough for a Carabao Cup tie on Friday, August 7, moved for Sky Sports and ITV. Wrexham will treat it like a final friendly, ahead of a Championship opener at Cardiff City on Monday, August 17, with the Premier League starting on August 21.

Recruitment work continues on tour, though wholesale changes are not expected after last summer’s 13 signings. The core is in place, with targeted additions planned.

Club executives say these tours deepen bonds with overseas supporters and help meet demand ahead of a new stand that will add 7,500 seats after the coming season.

Source: NY Times