New 5,500-seat Kop stand will include public plaza for Championship club

McLaren has been appointed on a PCSA to build a new stand planned at Wrexham’s home ground.

The Championship club appointed Populous on the redevelopment of the Kop stand last year – replacing AFL Architects – which was originally due to start in 2023 and finish in time for last season.

The club said early works will now start next month with completion pencilled in during the 2026/27 season.

Wrexham Stadium_Kop Stand - Facade © Populous (1)

Source: Populous

The stand will be a red brick colour as a nod to the local product while it was also feature the club’s crest on one corner. A public plaza will also be included

The Kop stand has been vacant since 2007 due to safety concerns and was demolished in 2023, after which it was replaced by a 3,000-seat temporary stand.

The 5,500 seat stand at the club’s STōK Cae Ras stadium, previously known as the Racecourse, includes safe standing areas, hospitality and accessible seating. It will take capacity up to 18,000.

The scheme was given planning earlier this year by Wrexham county borough council.

Player and officials’ facilities will be built into the new stand with the players’ tunnel relocated to that part of the ground.

The stand’s brick façade will pay homage to the historic Ruabon red brick from the local area while two dragons from the club’s crest will be embossed into the façade at one corner of the stand.

Plans for a public plaza below include siting the sister wheel of the Gresford Colliery wheel in remembrance of the miners who perished in the 1934 mining disaster which killed 261 men after an explosion and underground fire.

Wrexham, which is owned by US actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has amassed an international fanbase since it was purchased by the pair in 2020 and made the subject of a docuseries called Welcome to Wrexham.

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