Stunning AI images show how Wrexham’s new £80million stadium could look
Wrexham’s ascent as a Welsh footballing powerhouse is continuing off the pitch as well as on it. The club have today announced plans for a stunning new Kop Stand at the STOK Cae Ras stadium which will become a feature of the city. The exterior pays tribute to the cityGetty And the inside promises to improve the atmosphereGetty The 5,500-capacity stand has been designed by leading architects Populous who are best known for the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The new home end will be ready for the possibility of safe standing and visible from the city centre. Populous and Wrexham claim that the design will also amplify the noise of supporters onto the pitch. It will also include facilities for officials and players allowing them to walk out from under the stand through and tunnel and onto the pitch. Designed to pay homage to the city’s red brick architecture, the striking design includes two Welsh dragons in each top corner. Wrexham claim that: “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.” Since 2020 Wrexham have been co-owned by Hollywood royalty Ryan Reynolds and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney. Their stewardship has been closely followed in the Disney+ series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ charting their rise from the fifth to the third tiers of the English football league system. It has also followed their struggles with the stadium, which currently uses a temporary stand to increase capacity and revenue. The original Kop stand was demolished in January 2023 and replaced by a 2,289-seater temporary stand which was later increased to 3000 seats. The new 5,500-capacity stand will take things to the next level, making the Cae Ras, or Rascourse in English, a UEFA Category 4 stadium able to host more events such as the UEFA European Under-19 Championships in 2026. The new stand will contain dressing rooms and even more executive spaceGetty The brick style exterior will have Welsh dragons and backs onto a new fan zoneGetty A completion date hasn’t been given by either Wrexham or Populous, but in a previous update they did cite that they hope it can be finished for that summer championship in 2026. Discussing the announcement, Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson 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.”
Wrexham’s ascent as a Welsh footballing powerhouse is continuing off the pitch as well as on it.
The club have today announced plans for a stunning new Kop Stand at the STOK Cae Ras stadium which will become a feature of the city.
The 5,500-capacity stand has been designed by leading architects Populous who are best known for the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The new home end will be ready for the possibility of safe standing and visible from the city centre.
Populous and Wrexham claim that the design will also amplify the noise of supporters onto the pitch.
It will also include facilities for officials and players allowing them to walk out from under the stand through and tunnel and onto the pitch.
Designed to pay homage to the city’s red brick architecture, the striking design includes two Welsh dragons in each top corner.
Wrexham claim that: “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.”
Since 2020 Wrexham have been co-owned by Hollywood royalty Ryan Reynolds and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney.
Their stewardship has been closely followed in the Disney+ series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ charting their rise from the fifth to the third tiers of the English football league system.
It has also followed their struggles with the stadium, which currently uses a temporary stand to increase capacity and revenue.
The original Kop stand was demolished in January 2023 and replaced by a 2,289-seater temporary stand which was later increased to 3000 seats.
The new 5,500-capacity stand will take things to the next level, making the Cae Ras, or Rascourse in English, a UEFA Category 4 stadium able to host more events such as the UEFA European Under-19 Championships in 2026.
A completion date hasn’t been given by either Wrexham or Populous, but in a previous update they did cite that they hope it can be finished for that summer championship in 2026.
Discussing the announcement, Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson 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.”
