Ryan Reynolds’ stunning Wrexham stadium plans are revealed with new 5,500-capacity Kop stand as League One club bids to host Wales fixtures.

• Wrexham first hosted Wales in 1877 but rarely sees international football now
•  They hope capacity increase will attract the national team to North Wales
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Wrexham have presented plans for a new Kop Stand at its SToK Racecourse stadium, which they think would allow them to host regular Wales matches again.

Hollywood celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney control the club, which has filed a fresh planning application to Wrexham Council for a 5,500-capacity extension.

The Racecourse is the world’s oldest international football venue that still holds matches, having held its first Wales home game in 1877. However, the men’s national team has only played two low-profile friendlies there since 2009.

Wrexham’s ancient pitch can only accommodate roughly 12,600 supporters at the moment, with a temporary stand on the dilapidated Kop end behind one goal.

The Welsh government has approved almost £17 million in public money for the new Kop, designed by Populous, who previously worked on Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur stadiums.

The plans include secure standing areas, hospitality suites, and accessible seats. The architects said that the roof design attempts to improve the atmosphere on matchdays by amplifying sound from supporters towards the pitch.

Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson told the club website: ‘The new Kop Stand marks a special moment in the history of the SToK Cae Ras, allowing us to restore the stadium’s traditional four-sided enclosure while also providing new and improved facilities and experiences for our fans and visitors.

‘It will serve as an iconic landmark at the city’s entryway, giving it a feeling of place.

‘Upgrading facilities to meet UEFA Category 4 requirements is essential to our larger aim of bringing international sport back to Wrexham and the benefits to the local community of hosting major events in North Wales.’

Reynolds and McElhenney, who purchased the North Wales club in February 2021 and have overseen back-to-back promotions, said nine months ago that the stadium’s capacity may be extended to between 45,000 and 55,000.

The project has seen multiple delays, but Williamson is sure that the new stand will be finished by the summer of 2026.

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