New details reveal why Wrexham’s £69m Kop is unlike any stand in British football

Wrexham's £69.1m Kop redevelopment is taking shape at the STōK Cae Ras, with new details revealing how the ambitious project will deliver far more than additional seats when it opens for the 2027-28 season.

The new stand is designed as a self-contained stadium within the historic ground, combining modern player facilities, hospitality, media spaces and supporter amenities inside a five-level structure. 

Led by McLaren Construction and designed by Populous, the development will replace the long-derelict Kop end and help transform Wrexham's home into a venue capable of meeting UEFA Category 4 standards.

The project is expected to accommodate 7,750 supporters, taking the overall capacity of the Racecourse Ground to just over 18,000. Its significance, however, lies in the facilities being built behind the stands and the ambition to make the ground suitable for major domestic and international events.

Wrexham's new Kop to feature Premier League-standard facilities

One of the biggest changes will be behind the scenes. The home dressing room will be substantially larger than the visitors' equivalent, with a dedicated warm-up area, briefing room, physio room and kit room. 

A lift will connect the players' arrival area with the dressing-room level, while the route to the pitch will lead through a new tunnel.

The manager's office and a press-conference auditorium will also sit within the stand, reducing the time players need to spend moving between facilities on matchdays. A planned Tunnel Club will give guests a view of the teams emerging before kick-off.

McLaren regional director Luke Arnold has described the development as “a stadium in a stand”, reflecting the range of facilities packed into the available footprint. 

The project also includes modern concourses, improved accessibility and provision for safe standing and hospitality.

The design is intended to support Wrexham's ambitions to reach the Premier League while giving the club a venue capable of hosting international football. 

UEFA Category 4 compliance would place the Racecourse Ground within the highest classification of the governing body's stadium standards.

Distinctive design and complex construction at the Racecourse Ground

The new Kop will also make a statement from outside the stadium. Its red-brick facade draws inspiration from Wrexham's history as ‘Terracottapolis', reflecting the area's former brick and decorative-tile industry. The design incorporates gaps in the brickwork, allowing views through towards the public plaza below. 

Construction has involved substantial engineering work on a constrained site beside the existing stadium and railway infrastructure. 

A 125-tonne inverted ribbon truss was installed in September, marking a major milestone in the steelwork programme. More than 1,500 tonnes of structural steel are being used in the project.

FGG Says: Wrexham are building beyond the terraces

The Kop redevelopment is about changing how the Racecourse Ground functions as much as increasing its capacity. By combining player, media, hospitality and supporter facilities in one structure, Wrexham are investing in infrastructure designed to serve the club well beyond its current level.

The new stand will not guarantee Premier League football, but it will give Wrexham a significantly more versatile home and create opportunities to host higher-profile matches. Its distinctive architecture also ensures that the redevelopment will remain closely tied to the city's industrial heritage.