Wrexham’s management has partnered with Populous, a firm that will oversee the redesign of The Kop stand, which can accommodate 5,500 spectators and was originally scheduled to open this season.

Delays provide time to reconsider modernization plans

Wrexham officials initially revealed plans in 2022 for the construction of a new Kop stand at STōK Racecourse stadium as part of the broader Wrexham Gateway project. This new stand was meant to replace a terraced stand that had been unused for over a decade. However, planning and funding issues led to a series of delays, prompting the club to install a temporary stand shortly before Christmas last season. This was expanded by about 800 seats over the summer, increasing the total capacity to 13,341.

The delays—resulting from factors such as rerouting drainage beneath the area and resolving legal issues related to the transfer of the lease from the Wrexham Supporters’ Trust to the club—gave owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney time to revisit the original plans. This included exploring ways to make the new structure adaptable to future changes. McElhenney had previously spoken about increasing the capacity to 50,000 seats, and these plans may now be accelerated. The new Kop will meet safety regulations for standing areas, hospitality, and accessible seating and will fully comply with UEFA requirements for Category 4 stadiums.

© Mister Drone UK

Will they meet the 2026 deadline?

Wrexham's executive director, Humphrey Ker, previously told The Athletic that building the new stand would take 11 months, with construction beginning no later than next summer. The club is committed to working with various entities during the Kop’s renovation, including Wrexham County Council, Wrexham University, the Welsh Government, and the Football Association of Wales (FAW). The renovation will be led by Populous, and the new stand is expected to be ready in time for the UEFA U-19 European Championships in 2026.