Stok Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground) Wrexham AFC Stadium Expansion
The STōK Cae Ras (formerly the Racecourse Ground), home to Wrexham AFC (Wales Oldest Football Club Learn More Here) is currently undergoing significant redevelopment, driven by the club’s incredible rise and the ambitions of its Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The plans are comprehensive, aiming to transform the historic stadium into a modern, fit-for-purpose venue for a club with soaring aspirations.
Here’s a breakdown of the key Wrexham stadium expansion plans:
1. The New Kop Stand: The Centrepiece of the Redevelopment
The most prominent aspect of the stadium expansion is the rebuilding of the Kop Stand. This stand, historically a beloved terraced area and the spiritual home for many Wrexham fans, has been unused since 2007 due to safety concerns and was demolished in January 2023. A temporary stand has been in place since.
Capacity: The new Kop Stand is planned to have a capacity of 5,500 seats, with potential for future expansion beyond this if needed (subject to new planning applications). There are reports the club might be aiming for an initial 7,000 capacity.
Approval & Design: Plans for the new 5,500-seater Kop stand were unanimously approved by Wrexham County Borough councillors in March 2025, following a public unveiling of the designs in February 2025. The new stand is being designed by Populous, renowned architects behind stadiums like Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Features: The new Kop will feature:
Safe standing areas.
Hospitality sections.
Improved disabled access and facilities.
A player and officials’ tunnel, allowing fans to welcome the team onto the pitch directly from the stand.
A striking red brick façade, paying homage to Wrexham’s “Terracottapolis” nickname and featuring a large Welsh dragon.
A new public plaza behind the stand, designed as a fan space on matchdays.
A roof designed to amplify crowd noise, channeling chants directly onto the pitch.
Timeline: While initial hopes were for completion earlier, the club aims for the new Kop Stand to be fully completed by the end of the 2025/26 season, potentially ready for use by the 2026/27 season. It’s also expected to be ready in time for the 2026 UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals, which Wrexham’s stadium will host.
Funding: The Welsh government has provided over £17 million in public funding to support the new Kop.
2. Overall Stadium Vision & Future Expansion
The Kop Stand is part of a broader masterplan for the STōK Cae Ras. While the immediate focus is on the Kop, there are long-term ambitions for the entire stadium:
Current Capacity: The Racecourse Ground currently has a capacity of around 13,341 (with the temporary Kop stand). With the new Kop, this is expected to rise to approximately 16,000.
Long-Term Ambition: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have expressed a desire for the stadium to eventually accommodate between 45,000 to 55,000 people, making it one of the largest club stadiums in the UK. This would likely involve redeveloping other stands (like the Wrexham Lager Stand) in future phases.
Year-Round Destination: The club is looking to re-evaluate the stadium plans to enhance the fan experience and community value, aiming to make the STōK Cae Ras a year-round destination, not just a matchday venue.
Pitch Upgrade: Significant work has already been undertaken on the pitch, with the installation of a new hybrid SISGrass pitch system. This state-of-the-art playing surface provides a more durable and high-performance environment, capable of hosting other major international sporting events like rugby.
Infrastructure Improvements: Ongoing work includes installing new LED advertising boards, upgrading dugout areas, enhancing press facilities, and general infrastructure improvements to bring the stadium up to modern standards, ready for life in the Championship and beyond.
The expansion of the STōK Cae Ras is a critical component of Wrexham AFC’s ambitious journey under its new ownership. It’s about not only accommodating a rapidly growing global fanbase but also creating a world-class facility that reflects the club’s aspirations to climb further up the football pyramid.