nytimes.com
Wrexham's First Down Under Tour: Pre-Season Games in Australia and New Zealand
Wrexham AFC will tour Australia and New Zealand in July 2025, playing friendlies against Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, and Wellington Phoenix; this decision is influenced by the staggered start of the 2025-26 EFL season, the FIFA Club World Cup in the US, and the popularity of "Welcome to Wrexham" Down Under.
- How will Wrexham's Australian and New Zealand tour impact the club's finances and global brand recognition?
- The tour's timing is influenced by the 2025-26 EFL season's staggered start dates and the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA. The inability to secure suitable opposition in the US due to the Club World Cup, combined with the need for sufficient time before the League One season, led to the choice of Australia and New Zealand. This strategic decision prioritizes the team's preparation while capitalizing on the existing market demand.
- What factors determined Wrexham's decision to tour Australia and New Zealand instead of North America in 2025?
- Wrexham AFC, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, will embark on its first-ever Australian and New Zealand tour in July 2025, playing three pre-season matches against Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, and Wellington Phoenix. This decision follows previous tours of North America and is driven by the popularity of "Welcome to Wrexham" in Australia and New Zealand, aiming to cultivate a larger international fanbase and generate revenue.
- What are the potential long-term implications of Wrexham's expansion into the Australian and New Zealand markets?
- Wrexham's Australian and New Zealand tour signifies a proactive approach to global brand expansion, leveraging the success of its docuseries and the club's rising international profile. The tour is expected to generate modest immediate revenue, but its primary value lies in establishing a loyal fan base in a lucrative market, contributing to the club's long-term financial sustainability and growth. This will help increase overseas revenue, which already makes up 52.5% of their total income.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a generally balanced perspective. While it highlights the positive aspects of the tour— increased international exposure, potential financial gains, and favorable weather conditions—it also acknowledges challenges such as the earlier return date and the need to adapt the pre-season schedule. The framing is largely neutral and informative.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. The article avoids loaded terms or emotional language when describing the tour. Terms such as "lucrative market," while positive, are fairly common in business reporting. There are no overt attempts to manipulate reader perception.
Gender Bias
The article focuses primarily on the men's team's tour, mentioning the women's team's previous tour only in passing for comparison. While this isn't inherently biased, it could be improved by including more information on the women's team's current plans or by explaining why only the men's team is touring this year. More balanced coverage of both men's and women's teams would enhance the article.
Sustainable Development Goals
The pre-season tour to Australia and New Zealand is expected to generate revenue for Wrexham AFC, contributing to the club's economic growth. The tour also promotes the club internationally, potentially attracting new sponsors and investors. The article highlights that 52.5% of the club's income in 2023-24 came from overseas, demonstrating the importance of international markets to the club's financial success. Furthermore, the tour is predicted to positively impact local businesses in Australia and New Zealand, mirroring the positive economic effects observed in North America during previous tours.