Heidi Morton: WellingtonNZ Chief Operating Officer on Wrexham FC facing off against the Wellington Phoenix

A Hollywood-backed football club is coming to play in Wellington.

Welsh side Wrexham AFC's taking on Wellington Phoenix FC at Sky Stadium in July - one of three Australasian matches set to take place.

It's owned by movie stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.

WellingtonNZ's Heidi Morton says she expects the game will sell out.

"Not only because this is going to be a fantastic, friendly football match, but also the entertainment draw with the Welcome to Wrexham show."

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now the worst kept secret in New Zealand football is
finally out. Ryan Reynolds football team are coming to Wellington
to play the Phoenix. How cool is that? Rixham MAYFC famous,
of course because of the award winning TV documentary series
Welcome to Wrexham. Now. Our Heidi Morton is from Wellington,
New Zealand. The guys who actually managed to pull this off.

Speaker 2 (00:17):
Hey Heidi, Hey Heather, how are you well?

Speaker 1 (00:20):
Thank you? How much are you paying them?

Speaker 2 (00:23):
I knew that was going to be your first question.
Unfortunately I'm not going to answer that. That's commercially sensitive,
but what I can say is has been a great
buye and considering are the outcomes that we think we're
going to get from this on par with what we
obviously partner with other things for other major events in
the city.

Speaker 1 (00:43):
Auckland's mayor was on our show yesterday saying that that
you know, if Auckland wants to get a big concert
or something, it's about three or four million dollars to
just get them to turn up. Have you paid round
about that amount?

Speaker 3 (00:54):
Absolutely not less or more? Absolutely less, well less, very
much less.

Speaker 1 (01:03):
Yeah, for the money that you've paid, are we going
to get Ryan Reynolds as well.

Speaker 3 (01:09):
Well.

Speaker 2 (01:09):
I can't comment on that, but we've all with our
fingers crossed in the office and around the city that
will not only get Ryan but will also get Rob
as well, but of course that's in the hands of
Ryan and Rob's schedules.

Speaker 1 (01:22):
Do you think it will sell out?

Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yes? Absolutely.

Speaker 2 (01:26):
When we hosted Newcastle United in twenty fourteen we had
around thirty one thousand, and the same for the LA
Galaxy and David Beckham back when they came in two
thousand and seven. So I think it will sell out,
and not only because this is going to be a
fantastic friendly football match, but also the entertainment drawer with

(01:48):
the Welcome to Wrexham show that's on Disney Plus, and
you know the rise that Wrexham have had going into
the English Football League Championship.

Speaker 1 (02:01):
Do you what do you reckon? Is it going to
do well because we're becoming a football country or is
it simply because it's been all over itally and it's
got this wonderful story behind it.

Speaker 3 (02:11):
I think it's both.

Speaker 2 (02:12):
So we really look forward to welcoming all those Auckland
f C Fans down to down to Wellington to come
and see it. You know, there's people from all over
the country that you know loves love the Phoenix, loves
love Auckland f C. So football is on the rise
in this country and be still luck to Auckland f
C in their run to the finals. But also you know,

(02:34):
the entertainment factor is immense here. I mean it has
one of the biggest followings this show around the world
and included in Wellington and New Zealand.

Speaker 3 (02:43):
Welcome to Wrexham. So there will be people that are
coming and hopefully you know it's a good weekend for them.

Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yeah, he is hoping. Hey, thanks very much, Heidi really
appreciate it. Heidi Morton Wellington, New Zealand Events and experience
as general manager.

Speaker 2 (02:58):
For more from Heather too Plausy Allen Drive, listen live
to News Talk Set B from four pm weekdays, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio