The Hollywood effect as Wrexham merchandise sales soar

Actors Rob McElhenney (Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) knew they were in over their heads when they purchased the Welsh soccer club Wrexham in 2021, especially since they hadn’t even met in person before becoming co-owners of the fifth tier Red Dragons. Their approach to the Wrexham trust and subsequent purchase is being documented in a Disney+ documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ with the fifth tier Welsh club growing in global popularity thanks to the Hollywood owners.

The knock-on effect of the weekly documentary has seen a 600% uplift in official club merchandise as orders flood in from all corners of the world with the classic red shirt being the most popular purchase with the shirt sold out in all sizes.

‘Optimistic projections’

“There was never any doubt that the interest in club merchandise would increase because of the documentary, but even the most optimistic projections did not reach the above levels,” read a club statement.

The McElhenney and Reynolds ‘bounce’ can also be gauged in the club’s social media platforms with the National League outfit expected to surpass a million followers across all accounts before the series is over.

New interest in the club’s story has seen 147,000 followers added in the period since the show started, representing a 20% increase.