Celebrity-owned EFL clubs eye surge in U.S. support after World Cup boom

The World Cup has expanded America's soccer audience to roughly 129 million fans, according to CLV Group, with only a fifth committed to a specific club. Wrexham and Birmingham, backed by high-profile owners, are positioned to capture that unaffiliated interest. Fan-data experts say direct revenue opportunities, not just social metrics, will define success in the U.S. market.

The surge in American soccer fandom, from 83 million to roughly 129 million, has created a substantial pool of unaffiliated supporters. CLV Group's data indicates only 20 percent of these fans have committed to a specific club, leaving a vast audience that celebrity-backed EFL teams are actively courting through tours and digital engagement.

Wrexham's financial disclosures show North American revenue now drives over half of their £33.35 million annual income, while Birmingham's £35.6 million total set a record for a League One club without parachute payments. Both clubs have leveraged their famous owners—Reynolds, Mac, and Brady—to build cross-Atlantic visibility through documentaries, social media, and live broadcasts of their rivalry fixtures.