Wrexham's Historic Stadium Transformation Ahead of Championship Return
Welcome to the club that invested £20 million in players yet has only three stands at their ground.
Welcome to Wrexham.
Specifically, for some former Premier League teams making their first visit to North Wales in decades, welcome to the Stadiwm Cae Ras.
More commonly known as the Racecourse, Wrexham's stadium is not only a cornerstone of Welsh football but also the oldest international ground still in use worldwide.
Having hosted matches for Wales since 1877, it is now preparing for its first game at the Championship level in 43 years.
With a capacity of just 10,500—following the removal of a temporary stand—it will be the smallest stadium in the second tier this season.
However, under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, ambitious plans are underway.
As the team's fortunes have transformed since the Hollywood takeover, the stadium is next in line for significant upgrades.
This summer marked the beginning of major renovations that extend beyond mere cosmetic improvements.
Plans to 'Future-Proof' Wrexham
As West Bromwich Albion visits on Saturday, more eyes than ever will be on the historic ground. One noticeable change for many will be the absence of fans behind one goal.
For decades, The Kop has been the terrace where Wrexham's most passionate supporters gathered to cheer on their team.
However, after relegation from the Football League in 2008, it was left empty, eventually leading to its demolition under new ownership.
A new Kop was always part of the plan, and while delays occurred, a temporary stand was installed to accommodate an additional 3,000 supporters during promotions from Leagues One and Two.
To facilitate the construction of a new all-seater Kop, that end of the Cae Ras will need to remain empty for a period.
The new structure will be designed by the same architects responsible for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Initially planned for 5,500 seats, the club announced in July that they have submitted an application for an additional 2,250 seats as part of a second tier.
Expected to be completed by next summer, this expansion will increase the stadium's capacity to approximately 18,000, surpassing the homes of both Brentford and Bournemouth, while also meeting UEFA standards for international fixtures.
While the club recognized that this could impact attendance and atmosphere during their Championship campaign, the new Kop is a crucial element in plans to 'future-proof' the club, incorporating new hospitality areas and essential facilities.
For those attending or tuning in for the first time, there won't be visible construction just yet.
The temporary stand has been removed, and the area is prepared for work, but there are few noticeable changes at first glance.
However, a new electrical substation has been built near The Turf pub, which is adjacent to the ground and where the club was founded. The discovery of a power cable beneath the Kop Stand had previously delayed progress, but this new installation has cleared the way for construction.
Once all planning and contractual matters are resolved, the club anticipates breaking ground this autumn.
While steel structures are not yet visible, there are other signs of change. The managers' dressing rooms have been relocated, allowing Phil Parkinson and his staff to sit alongside the hospitality areas from which Reynolds and McElhenney observe the matches.
The previous managers' vantage point has now been converted into a new hospitality option known as the 'Dug Out Club' for fans.
'Is it made from human hair?'
Another striking feature is the state-of-the-art playing surface, a pristine pitch prepared for the new season in a higher division.
This may elicit a wry smile from Reynolds and McElhenney, who experienced the challenges of ownership firsthand when they learned that a £100,000 pitch laid in 2021 needed immediate replacement at double the cost.
Four years later, Reynolds humorously questioned whether the new proposed pitch was 'made of human hair' upon hearing the projected cost of £1.7 million.
Nevertheless, Wrexham believes the investment is worthwhile. Alongside the new UEFA-standard hybrid pitch—compared by CEO Michael Williamson to the one at Inter Milan's San Siro—new irrigation, drainage, and undersoil heating systems have also been installed.
The pitch has also been designed to accommodate rugby posts, opening the door for both rugby union and league fixtures to return to a ground that has hosted international matches in both codes in the past.
The urgency to have the pitch ready was aided by the team's automatic promotion; a playoff appearance could have delayed the process by six weeks.
Instead, workers began seeding in June, with round-the-clock stitching through July ensuring that a stunning green surface will greet teams this weekend.
In addition to being slightly elevated, the new pitch has also shifted the goalposts.
Aligned with the broader redevelopment plans, the pitch has moved approximately two meters closer to the new Kop.
This adjustment necessitated a new TV gantry, repositioned to maintain its location on the halfway line while providing additional space for increased coverage and tactical cameras.
On the opposite side, a reverse angle camera gantry has been installed, catering to the enhanced broadcasting requirements not previously needed during their time in non-league.
Furthermore, innovative solutions have been implemented to add hundreds of extra seats, maximizing every available viewing angle. Screens, which will eventually be significant and housed in the new Kop, have been relocated for improved visibility.
New handrails, larger and brighter LED boards (complying with UEFA specifications for international matches), and additional 'fast-flow' beer taps have also been introduced following a successful trial.
Finally, the metalwork will receive a fresh coat of red paint as one of football's oldest grounds prepares for a vibrant new future.