Deadpool Superstar Ryan Reynolds Sparked a Massive 900% Rise in $2.5 Million Wrexham’s Popularity in 2 Years Since Hollywood Takeover

Wrexham was languishing 20th in the 2019-20 season and was struggling under the previous ownership. It was owned by Wrexham Supporters Trust earlier, before Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney decided to buy the fifth division club. 98.6% of members of Wrexham supporters Trust supported their bid, and the Hollywood duo took over the club on February 9, 2021. 

The new owners were passionate about their investment and wanted to build a club from the low tier. They soon started their efforts to strengthen the world’s third-oldest soccer club, and the announcement of the Welcome To Wrexham series was part of their efforts to promote the club. However, over two years, since taking over, the Hollywood duo has succeeded in making the club popular. 

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s efforts bearing fruits for Wrexham AFC

It was an idea of McElhenney to buy a low-tier club and invest in it to build a club that will be a force to reckon with. Reynolds nodded to the idea, and a random Instagram chat resulted in a $2.5 million takeover of Wrexham AFC. The reason for choosing the Welsh club was Wrexham and its community. McElhenney felt they are passionate and resembled the people in Philadelphia, which sparked the decision. 

However, the Hollywood takeover has helped the club to gain popularity, for the club celebrated its second anniversary under new ownership on Thursday. In two years, the club has seen its social media following increase by over 900% thanks to Ryan Reynolds and the Welcome To Wrexham documentary series. 

Club had only 79,589 Twitter followers two years ago, which now has increased to 367,665. The same trend has followed across Instagram and Facebook as the club saw a spike in followers over two years. Instagram followers have expanded from 41,000 to 434,316 in two years. The club signed a new two-year deal with TikTok as a front shirt sponsor in June 2021. So far, they have 669,400 followers on TikTok. 

Attendance and jersey sales for Wrexham are increasing

The celebrity takeover has not only affected the social media following of the club. It also has sparked an increase in the season ticket holders, attendance in home and away games, and jersey sales from the retail website and club shop. Wrexham has capped the season ticket holders but has seen it increase from 5892 last season to 7150 this season. 

READ MORE: Ryan Reynolds’ Mastermind to Create ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ Boosted the Club’s Fanbase According to Reports

The club has the highest average home attendance (9954) in the Vanarama National League this season. It is 2000 more than the next highest. Wrexham has sold over 24,000 shirts this season. 

Wrexham was 20th in the Vanarama National League in the 2019-20 season. It is now in a powerful position to finish at the top of the league. Owners are putting dedicated efforts into the club. The club punched above its weight in the FA Cup, and games are getting more and more interesting. All these have helped the club to gain popularity in the local community as well as in the US.

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What do you make of the masterstroke played by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in buying the low-tier club, Wrexham AFC?