Wrexham unveil designs of their newly planned 5,500-capacity Kop Stand at the Racecourse Ground, submitted for approval.
The League One club seeks to restore the stadium’s traditional four-sided enclosure while incorporating bricks that echo the club’s rich history.
The ‘Ruabon red’ styled Kop aims to create a ‘real cauldron’ of atmosphere, as described by Populous, known for iconic venues like Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley.
Fan reactions are mixed; some celebrate the bold, characterful design, while others critique its unconventional exterior.
Despite this, there’s a palpable excitement about the potential enhancement to matchday experiences, with construction set to commence post-season.
We are incredibly proud to unveil the designs for the new Kop Stand at the STōK Cae Ras.
Designed by renowned sports architects Populous, the new Kop Stand marks a special moment in the history of our stadium, restoring its traditional four-sided enclosure.
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) February 3, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Wrexham AFC have unveiled the plans for the new Kop Stand at the Club’s STōK Cae Ras stadium, featuring a unique design that will create an atmospheric home for the Club’s passionate fans and become an iconic destination for fans, international visitors and the local community on both matchdays and non-matchdays.
The 5,500-capacity new Kop Stand, designed by leading sports and entertainment architects Populous, includes the provision for safe standing, hospitality and accessible seating and will be a prominent focal point of the area visible from the city centre.
The seating bowl has been designed to create a home end for the Club’s fans that will reinforce the atmosphere within the STōK Cae Ras, with design of the roof optimised to amplify sound from the spectators towards the pitch.
The new Kop Stand has been future proofed with the current design capable of supporting an increase in capacity, subject to a separate planning application.
The inclusion of player and officials’ facilities within the new Kop Stand allows fans to welcome the team onto the pitch through a player tunnel in the stand, providing another unique experience at the stadium.
At the rear of the stand an external brick facade pays homage to the City’s “Terracottapolis” nickname, and the brick colour and textures are reminiscent of the historic Ruabon red brick from the local area.
Built against a glass wall along key areas at the rear of the stand, the brick façade uses a contemporary interpretation of the ‘Flemish bond’ brickwork found throughout Wrexham, creating a signature brickwork pattern for the club that is rooted in the area. Two dragons from the club’s crest are prominently embossed into the brick façade at one corner of the stand.
The pattern allows the texture to transition across the façade and includes a lattice effect that allows transparency through the brickwork into and out of the stand itself, reflecting the transparency that the Club aims to have with its community.
The overall effect creates an authentic aesthetic grounded in the history and heritage of the city, while providing a modern, forward-looking identity to create a unique destination and landmark.
The rear of the stand looks onto a public plaza that will act as a fan space on match day and a community space and public area throughout the year. Plans for the plaza include the positioning of the sister wheel of the Gresford Colliery wheel in remembrance of the miners who perished in the 1934 mining disaster.
The new Kop Stand will be fully compliant with UEFA Category 4 stadium requirements and along with adjustment to the pitch, and other technical requirements, this will enable the STōK Cae Ras Stadium to host the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final tournament matches in 2026, and other international matches in the future.
Old design vs new design.
Thanks to @waynecram for the montage. pic.twitter.com/3TXJmaYAdK
— Fearless In Devotion | WREXHAM AFC podcast (@fearlessidzine) February 3, 2025
Michael Williamson, Wrexham AFC Chief Executive Officer, said: “The new Kop Stand marks a special moment in the history of the STōK Cae Ras, allowing us to restore the traditional four-sided enclosure of the stadium, providing new and improved facilities and experiences for our fans and visitors to the stadium alike.
“The distinctive design of the new Kop Stand embodies the history and heritage of Wrexham – rooted in the local community creating a timeless, authentic piece of civic architecture that complements other landmarks. It will provide an iconic landmark standing at the gateway to the city giving it a true sense of place.
“The stand reflects the key role the football club can play in the rejuvenation and redevelopment of the city through its role in the Wrexham Gateway Project.
“The upgrading of facilities to meet UEFA Category 4 specifications are central to our wider vision of bringing international sport back to Wrexham and the benefit this will bring to the local community of hosting these events in North Wales.”
Declan Sharkey, Global Director and Senior Principal at Populous, added: “We have designed the new Kop Stand to be both authentic and unique in its approach to hosting Wrexham’s passionate fans. To do that we involved our team of audio consultants to maximise atmosphere, while the physical design of the façade at the back of the stand takes inspiration from the local brickwork and the city’s ‘Terracottapolis’ nickname, to link it to the generations of fans that have visited the ground in the past.
“The striking form and profile of the stand facade uses Ruabon-style red brick with dynamic textures and modern interpretation. The angled planes and carved form of the brick façade echo the strata of coal and slate seams that represent the industrial heritage of the local area, with the feeling that they have emerged organically from the ground they stand on. A contemporary approach to the brick detailing enables layers of transparency through the brickwork that dissolve the boundary between the stand and the public plaza outside. This allows visibility into and out of the stand, responding to the club’s role as an open and integral part of its local community.”
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: “The development of the new Kop Stand is a key element of the wider Wrexham Gateway project, which will transform one of the main corridors into the city of Wrexham.
“I would like to thank the football club for working in true partnership on this. The incredible things happening at the club are continuing to propel Wrexham onto a global stage, and football is bringing communities together, boosting local pride and helping to attract visitors and investment. So it’s very exciting to see the club developing these proposals for the new Kop, and they will hopefully pave the way for more regular international football in Wrexham.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the Cymru women’s team take on Sweden at the STōK Cae Ras later this month, and hope everyone will get behind them on the night. If the Kop development leads to more international fixtures being hosted in Wrexham in the future, that will be hugely important for the city, and the benefits will be felt far beyond the football pitch.”
Professor Joe Yates, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University, said: “We are delighted to hear of the latest progress from our neighbours at the football club, who have today unveiled the plans for their new Kop Stand, which is extremely impressive.
“Not only is this an incredibly exciting development for our community, it is also momentous for North Wales which is now one step closer to bringing international sport back to Wrexham.
“We have a long-standing, special relationship with the club and are proud that we, as a university, were able to play a role in helping to keep the football club alive during some difficult times.
“The club is so important for Wrexham, and we will continue to be supportive neighbours and do all we can to enable the delivery of the ambitious new stadium adjacent to our halls of residence.
“Our support for the club remains unwavering and we will continue to collaborate and work together for the benefit of our community.”
PREVIOUS DESIGNS:
This is what fans are saying as Wrexham unveil designs of their newly planned Kop Stand at the Racecourse Ground…
@fooballcymru: Fair play
@Dougf43: The unusual design will grow on people. Conventional blends over time but something like this always looks unique and eye-catching. Much better than the previous box.
@dylmorris17: What is the thought process with the external design? I can understand the Ruabon brick but the wonky turrets not quite winning me over
@welshinema: I’m sorry but it’s a no from me, the other design was far better, this just doesn’t agree with my OCD with those wonky roof designs
@sionreuben: Looks awesome! I know we’re a while off but what’s happening with ST holders in the Tech End? Are we going straight over? Can we pick seats? Don’t want to get too split up from my neighbours
@Anthony27662569: The other design was a lot better 👍
@jamiewxmfc: Fucking wowza 😍😍😍
@beardywxm: Well this will decide opinion, not really fussed on how the outside looks, it’s different, that’s good, It the actual viewing experience the AFL one looked better, steeper and higher, more imposing.
@spencer_178: Looks mint with the bricks and the shop/pub, bit confused on the top though? Whys it so crooked? Feel like there should be one less row of boxes there too in the stand
@WrexhamFan3: Like the look from the pitch and the brick materials. Not particularly understanding or liking the shape on the outside (leaning and uneven) unless it’s some kind of historical or other reference.
@GezRogers: Inside looks smart, the outside is an absolute monstrosity!
@wxm_afc: Every staduim looks the same and like a Tesco Extra. At least it’s different.
@DanWrexham: I like it. Unique to us, not a carbon copy stand like most seem to be
@20Sam_Taylor: Looks incredible, better than the original one which was good , can’t wait to have 4 proper sides again 😍
@PureWrecsam: Actually quite like the outside and especially the nod to the history of the town. Not to be ungrateful but really not a fan of the glass boxes at the back. Also where the tunnel is. No mater what though I’m just happy and appreciate it’s getting done. Otherwise Nice and unique!
@spencer_178: Love the use of the bricks, but felt like the shape of the previous design was much nicer. Its different, just a bit confused with what’s happening on the top

You must be logged in to post a comment Login