The ongoing Wrexham Stadium expansion represents far more than bricks, steel and seats; it reflects the club's transformation under its new Hollywood ownership and the ambition to cement Wrexham's place in the higher tiers of English football. With Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney steering the project, the STok Cae Ras is envisioned not only as a modern football ground but also as a symbol of how global investment and local heritage can merge to create something enduring.
At the heart of the vision, the Wrexham stadium expansion is designed to keep pace with the club's rapid growth and global spotlight. By reimagining the matchday experience and positioning the ground to meet top-tier standards, the project speaks directly to the ambitions of turning Wrexham into a sustainable football powerhouse. With the Premier League now in sight, plans are being fast-tracked to ensure the Racecourse Ground is ready for potentially hosting top-flight matches in the near future.
In this article, we will provide updates on the significant changes occurring at the Welsh club.
Wrexham stadium expansion latest
October 2025: Premier League opening remains on the cards
After a slow start to life in the Championship, Wrexham are now beginnign to find their feet in the second tier of English football, and although there is still plenty of football to be played, there is still an outside chance that they could open up the new Kop next summer as a Premier League club.
As things stand, they are just five points adrift of the top six in the Championship, and if they find themselves in a similar position come January, then they could go big in the winter transfer window to push themselves over the line.
September 2025: Interim changes made to the Racecourse Ground
Despite the ongoing construction work on the Kop, Wrexham aren't just letting the rest of the stadium decay. Ahead of the new season, the club have upgraded several other parts of the stadium to help the players on the pitch and the fans off it. Improvements include:
- Undersoil heating and better drainage on the pitch.
- The dugouts are being moved to the opposite side of the stadium.
- A new TV gantry
- More seats are being added to all three stands.
- Two new giant screens are at one end of the stadium.
August 2025: Wrexham amend expansion plans
In August 2025, Wrexham submitted new plans to Wrexham City Borough Council to change their original expansion plans for the new Kop Stand at the Racecourse Ground.
The new plans, which the club believe will be approved by the local council, are centred around an extra 2,250 seats being added to the second tier of the new Kop. The reason for this change is that the club want to future-proof the stadium and increase their chances of being able to host international matches.
If the club do get these plans approved, then the new Kop will have a capacity of 7,750 and the stadium will have an expanded capacity of around 18,000.
Wrexham AFC CEO, Michael Williamson, said:
“When we submitted the revised designs for the new Kop Stand earlier this year, the intention was always to future-proof the Racecourse Ground so that it could hold international matches for many years to come, thus remaining true to its legacy as the oldest international ground still in use.
“With the additional seats that were planned into the revised designs, we intend to maximise the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop a new and iconic Kop Stand that can accommodate a maximum number of fans for years to come.”
May 2025: Wrexham secure promotion to the Championship
The Kop expansion project is set to begin in the coming months, and there is now a possibility that it could be completed in time for the summer of 2026, with Wrexham competing in the Championship League.
The team secured promotion from League One in May 2025 and will play in the second tier of English football for the first time since 1982 in the upcoming season. Remarkably, this marks the third consecutive promotion for the club, bringing their aspirations of reaching the Premier League closer than ever.
Since finally escaping the National League in 2023, Wrexham has made significant progress, but further investment during the summer will be essential if they hope to compete for promotion from the Championship at their first attempt.
The redeveloped Kop could directly influence those funds, and there is a concern that the club may struggle against relegation for the first time since Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds became involved with the team.
History only tells a story.
Be a part of our Championship campaign and become an Official Club Member for the 2025/26 season.
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) May 30, 2025
March 2025: Planning committee approves the Kop Stand
The council's planning committee has unanimously approved the plans for a new 5,500-seater Kop stand at Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse Ground. On 3 March, Wrexham County Borough councillors approved the proposal, just a month after club CEO Michael Williamson publicly shared the plans. While Wrexham University raised concerns that the development might impede its initial proposal for a student village on Crispin Lane, there were no formal objections to the project.
Wrexham emphasises that the proposed external brick facade of the stand pays tribute to the city's nickname, ‘Terracottapolis.' The colours and textures of the brick reflect the historic Ruabon red brick typical of the local area, facing a public plaza.
Work on the stand is set to begin soon. The club aims to have it ready in time for the 2026/27 season, which, if everything proceeds smoothly, could potentially see it used during Premier League matches.
The stand also has the potential for future expansion if necessary. CEO Michael Williamson noted, “The new Kop stand can accommodate a greater capacity beyond the 5,500 we are seeking at present, and the future-proofing makes obvious sense even though it increases our initial costs. Any additional capacity will require a new planning application.”
February 2025: Kop Stand design shown off
The new Kop Stand, which accommodates 5,000 supporters, marks a significant milestone in the Wrexham project. The club has swiftly moved up to League One, with aspirations for the Championship and Premier League. By adding 5,500 seats, the stadium's revenue and atmosphere will improve, creating a more intimidating environment. The design encourages a strong home-field advantage, featuring a roof that channels fan chants directly onto the pitch.
Additionally, the Kop Stand is structured for future expansion, subject to planning approval, and includes amenities for players, allowing fans to welcome the team through a specific tunnel for a unique matchday experience.
Plans for the stand were submitted in 2022; however, progress stalled after the UK government rejected the Levelling Up Fund application, which delayed funding and construction. In the meantime, a temporary stand was erected to increase capacity until the new Kop Stand received approval. It is crucial to finish the project by 2026, as the stadium is scheduled to host UEFA European Under-19 Championship matches.
Late January 2025 – Populous quotes
Declan Sharkey, global director and senior principal at Populous, commended the club, saying, “I truly believe this design is unique to Wrexham. It wouldn’t work anywhere else globally. This design deeply reflects Wrexham's spirit.”
Currently, Wrexham is in League One, but that could change soon. On that note, Sharkey commented, “As it stands, the atmosphere in this League One stadium is fantastic. Yet, the new stand will enhance that experience significantly.”
Populous is rapidly establishing itself as a key player in the football industry. After building the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and developing a new training facility for Newcastle United, they are now partnering with Wrexham.
This US-based firm has become the preferred choice for major stadium projects for leading European clubs, and its impressive results illustrate why.
With Newcastle United and Manchester United poised to embark on new stadium ventures, alongside Wrexham and Everton, Populous may have a bustling few years ahead.
Wrexham AFC have appointed Populous as their architect to create a masterplan for the club’s STōK Cae Ras stadium, with initial focus on the redesign of the new 5,500 capacity Kop stand 🏟️
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) October 24, 2024
January 2025 – Updates at last as new plans proposed
The Wrexham club advisory board meeting indicated that two additional phases are planned for the upcoming years, with the 4,200-capacity Wrexham Lager Stand set to be one of the next areas to be worked on.
New architects were appointed in October 2024 to oversee the new, more ambitious plans. Populous will now lead the project, which is best known for its work at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Long-term, the plan is to expand the stadium to 55,000 seats, placing it well inside the top 10 currently in England. Wrexham owner Rob McElhenney had this to say, ‘We have a plan in place right now that would eventually work from stand to stand. So eventually, you get all four sides, and it's hard to say for sure, but we think we could get between 45,000 and 55,000 people in there.‘ Said co-owner Rob McElhenney.
The Welsh government has provided over £17 million in public funding to support the new Kop, but an updated planning application will be needed for the new capacity. Despite facing several setbacks, club chief executive Michael Williamson is optimistic that the new stand will be completed by summer 2026. This would allow Wrexham to host part of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship next year.
Both Reynolds and McElhenney have expressed their frustrations with planning bureaucracy, with McElhenney noting, ‘It's definitely a comedic point of consternation in the show (Welcome to Wrexham), how often we're running up against bureaucracy. Of course, safety concerns and regulations are in place for a reason. But then there are some things that seem to be hurdles for hurdles' sake, and it's just a lot harder to build in the U.K. than I've found almost anywhere else in the world.'
The new Kop will be designed to accommodate all fans, featuring provisions for seating, standing, and disabled access. It will also enhance the hospitality experience and transform the space into a “multi-use” facility. Honouring Wrexham's rich history is a key objective, and features such as a hall of fame and a miner's wheel will celebrate the town's industrial past. Full design details are expected to be released soon.
December 2024 – Stand will be ready for the 2026 U19 Euros
News has all gone a little quiet out of Wales. The original plans to open the new stand for the 2024/25 season never came to be, and for now, the 2025/26 season also looks unlikely.
For now, the club has gone back to the planning phase, but Wrexham council Leader Mark Pritchard was positive when speaking to Wrexham.com – ‘If it takes a little bit longer, but you build the right thing and it meets all the demands and the pressures and is ‘future proofed’, it is the right thing. They brought a new team in around them to look at it. “I think when the planning application comes in and everybody sees it, everybody will be really pleased.'
Populous, the company behind the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, will oversee the new stand plans. The stand, which has not been publicly shown, will be completed in time for the 2026 UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals.
June 2024 – update on the new stand
The plans for the new Kop stand at the stadium will not be completed in time for the start of the 2024/25 season due to red tape issues with the local council. The club has decided to extend the temporary stand, which will now accommodate approximately 3,000 fans, until the redevelopment begins.
They are reevaluating the stadium plans to enhance the fan experience and community value, aiming to make the stadium a year-round destination. The club has agreements to purchase the necessary land for the Kop development and is working with Wrexham Council to align the Grant Funding Agreement with future needs.
Wrexham AFC will submit revised designs for the new 5,500 capacity Kop Stand to Wrexham County Borough Council at the beginning of February 2025.
Find out more 👇
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) January 14, 2025
What's the Wrexham stadium like now?
The Racecourse Ground is a historic stadium that hosted Wales' first home international match in 1877. Although it is no longer the national side's regular home, it has hosted more Wales international games than any other ground.
It's the largest stadium in north Wales – Cardiff and Swansea are both in the south – and the fifth largest in the country overall. For its entire history, it has been the home of Wrexham AFC and has hosted rugby league, rugby union, youth football, and many music concerts.
Plans for an expanded Kop Stand have been delayed. As a result, there is currently a temporary stand at one end of the stadium, which can accommodate around 3,000 supporters. Wrexham announced in June 2024 that this will be in place until the Kop Development begins.
Why does the Racecourse Ground need expanding?
It's less about expansion and more about restoring the ground to its full capacity. The stadium's ‘Kop', which was the stand behind the goal, was once the largest all-standing terrace in the English Football League. But in 2008, it was deemed unsafe and has remained unused ever since, making Wrexham's Racecourse Ground a three-stand-only stadium.
Given the club's aspirations, three stands aren't enough. And so, rebuilding the Kop became a key priority for the new owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny, who officially took over the club in February 2021 after several months of talks.
Timeline of Wrexham stadium expansion
On 15 June 2022, Wrexham released the first images of the designs for a proposed Kop development.
Accompanied with these was a statement from co-chairmen Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, which said: “Back in February 2021, when we first became custodians of the Cclub, it was identified that reverting the Racecourse Ground to a four-sided stadium was a priority for us.
“The desire to achieve this objective has only been multiplied by the fact that the sold-out signs were a regular feature at the Racecourse Ground, and we want the Club to be accessible to everyone, so the increased capacity is key to achieving this.
“We would encourage everyone to support the planning application when it is submitted and would like to thank Wrexham Council, Welsh Government & Wrexham Glyndwr University (together with the Gateway Partnership), who are fully committed to making the new Kop a reality.
“Finally, a big thank you to our design team, AFL Architects, Gardiner & Theobald, Ramboll, Savills and Royal Pilgrim.”
A one-month statutory consultation period followed in July 2022, during which the club met with local organisations, politicians, and residents.
A planning application was then submitted to the Wrexham County Borough Council.
In November 2022, Wrexham Council approved the club's plans to construct a 5,500-capacity all-seating stand, including official and retail space, facilities for the Wrexham Community Trust and a hospitality lounge for matches.
In January 2023, the current unused Kop stand was demolished in preparation for a complete rebuild. Things looked positive for the club, and a target opening date for the new stand was released for the 2024/25 season. However, things have changed, and there is now clarity on when the Kop redevelopment will be complete.
The Racecourse Ground has hosted international matches since 1877, and continues to do so. Redevelopment should ensure it does so for many years to come | Photo by Spi/Icon Sport
How will the Wrexham stadium expansion be funded?
Well, this has been a cause of concern for Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
During Episode One, Season Two of the “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary, footage was shown of Reynolds and McElhenney learning about a funding setback.
Wrexham and their owners had hoped to receive a portion of a £25m Welsh government grant given to the local council. In January 2023, they learnt that they wouldn't receive anything from the UK government's Levelling-Up Fund.
On Welcome to Wrexham, Reynolds joked, “I'll sell one of my children” when discussing alternative funding solutions.
As things stand, the funding isn't fully agreed upon, but it will involve significant investment from Wrexham AFC itself as well as contributions from the Welsh FA, Transport for Wales, and the council.
What will the new Wrexham Kop stand look like?
Details about the new Kop have emerged in the club's June 2022 press release. For starters, the new stand will have a 5,500 capacity and will include a hospitality lounge, office space for the club, and facilities for the Wrexham AFC Community Trust. In essence, it will be more than just your average football stand, particularly for a club in League Two.
Despite that, the vast majority of the 5,500 capacity will be for general admission, meaning loyal supporters who have followed the club in the National League will benefit from the expansion. The 5,000 “seats” available for general admission will be UEFA-approved safe-standing sections, meaning fans can stand in the new Kop with a rail installed in front of each seat.
On non-matchdays, the concourse area in and around the Kop will be converted to an exhibition space for the local community. This should generate more economic activity for local businesses in Wrexham, which will benefit the town.
Should Wrexham enjoy another successful year on the pitch next season, then the brand-new Kop could make its debut in League One in December 2024, but there is a huge amount of work to make that possible, on several fronts.
Why was a new Wrexham Kop Stand needed?
First and foremost, Wrexham are no longer a National League side, and back-to-back promotions have seen the Red Dragons rise through the divisions extremely quickly. So, as a club, the Racecourse Ground, as it was two years ago, lacks some key facilities needed for Wrexham to continue their growth, the main one being a lack of seats in their Kop Stand.
This issue will only be exacerbated now that the club are in League One, with their growing reputation leading to an ever-increasing fanbase, and as a result, the Red Dragons need a stadium capable of accommodating all of them.
Rather than relocating, which is often a controversial choice among fans, club officials instead opted to expand their current ground, stand-by stand. A phase-by-phase approach will allow the Red Dragons to keep as much of the stadium open as possible while renovations take place.
Latest video updates on the new Wrexham Kop stand
‘Mister Drone' on YouTube is creating a documentary on the Kop redevelopment, featuring brilliant drone footage that showcases the progress on the Wrexham stadium expansion.
Here are his two most recent episodes from August and September 2023:
Reynolds and McElhenney’s grand plan for the Racecourse Ground
Wrexham’s Hollywood owners have ambitious plans for the Racecourse over the coming years. They are optimistic that they can expand the capacity to over 50,000 following the successful promotion to League One during the 2023/24 campaign. Speaking to the website Collider, McElhenney said: “We have a plan in place right now that would work from stand to stand so eventually you get all four sides.”
Reynolds added, “It’s hard to say for sure, but we think we could get between 45,000 and 55,000 people in there. The whole town could come to a game.”
A 55,000 capacity stadium in Wrexham? ?
That’s what Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are aiming for… #WxmAFC https://t.co/QU075IAl5f
— The72 – We Love the #EFL (@_The72) May 1, 2024
However, the American owners have expressed their frustration at the number of obstacles in the way of stadium expansion due to the UK’s building regulations. McElhenney said: “Of course, safety concerns and all those regulations are in place for a reason, but then some things just seem hurdles for hurdles’ sake. It’s a lot harder to build in the UK than I have found almost anywhere else in the world.”
Away from talking about the future of the oldest international football stadium, McElhenney also reaffirmed his commitment to moving the Welsh club up the English pyramid after this season’s promotion.
He said: “Getting to the Premier League is the ultimate goal – and staying in the Premier League so it’s sustainable. But only doing it in a fashion that the community supports, because there are all sorts of ways to succeed. We feel that there are only a few paths to be ethically viable to do so.”
Wrexham to freeze season ticket renewal prices for 2024/25 season
Despite going for promotion to League One, Wrexham's owners announced in March 2024 that current season ticket holders would pay the same price as they did for their current ticket, regardless of the league the Welshmen find themselves in next season.
The club's only stipulation was that these renewals must be completed by Monday, 13 May 2024.
Such news came as a welcome bonus for the club's supporters, especially with stadium renovations still on the cards. An adult season ticket at Wrexham costs a maximum of £374 before the renewal deadline, rising to £397 from 14 May to 3 June.
FGG says: The rise of the mighty Wrexham
Wrexham have enjoyed a virtually unprecedented rise through the divisions in recent years, and after finishing second in League One during the 2024/25 campaign, will be playing Championship football in 2025/26.
While that is very impressive, such a dramatic rise can lead to weak finances, particularly when compared to rivals in their new division. In truth, that is yet to become a problem for the Welsh club, who boast wealthy owners, but a stadium expansion will only help stabilise the Red Dragon's future further.
After all, more seats will generate more matchday revenue.