In a New Zealand exclusive, Te Whanganui a Tara Wellington will host its first exhibition football match in over 10 years this July – and it will feature one of the most talked about football teams worldwide right now – Wrexham AFC.
Taking place at Sky Stadium on Saturday 19 July 2025, the Welsh side will face Wellington Phoenix FC in their third of three Australasian matches.
The tour follows Wrexham AFC’s unprecedented third successive promotion last month, which will see the club compete in the English Football League Championship from next season.
“We are thrilled to be the exclusive New Zealand host city for this event, and we look forward to welcoming fans from across the country to the capital for what’s set to be a true highlight on this year’s national sports calendar,” says Heidi Morton, WellingtonNZ Events & Experiences General Manager.
Warrick Dent, Chief Executive at Sky Stadium, says: “We’re excited to bring Wrexham AFC to Sky Stadium. Their incredible story and continued rise has captured the imagination of both football and entertainment fans, and we look forward to hosting this global sensation. Whether you're a football fan or just love a great story, this event promises an unforgettable experience and fun for everyone.”
Wrexham AFC experienced significant growth in its global fanbase and success on the field after Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney acquired the club and created an Emmy award-winning docuseries: Welcome to Wrexham. It’s said to have had a remarkable impact on drawing non-football fans into the sport, introducing football to audiences who might not have otherwise engaged with it.
Bringing major sporting events to Wellington is part of WellingtonNZ’s overarching major events strategic framework, and recent research revealed that 90 percent of locals agreed that hosting events makes Wellington a great place to live.
Heidi says: “Premier sports events offer the Wellington region a fantastic opportunity for visitation – it was an intentional strategic decision by WellingtonNZ and Wellington Regional Stadium Trust to actively pursue this opportunity, which included a partnership approach in presenting a competitive bid.
“We’ve seen that previous events including Wellington Phoenix FC matches against Newcastle United in 2014, Argentine Boca Juniors in 2010 and LA Galaxy in 2007 drew visitation from the domestic and international markets and created a positive impact on the city’s hospitality and retail sectors, therefore we expect to see the same welcome boost once again.”
Member pre-sales open on Wednesday 14 May, with general public tickets available from 11am on Friday 16 May through Ticketek.