'Incredibly exciting' - Wrexham reveal unique designs for new Kop stand as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side bid to make at STōK Cae Ras stadium an 'iconic destination'

The Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-owned club have revealed designs for their new stand for home fans at SToK Racecourse. The 5500-capacity new Kop stand has been designed by leading sports and entertainment architects Populous - who have previously worked on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wembley and The Sphere in Las Vegas. The club say the aim is "to create an atmospheric home for the club’s passionate fans and become an iconic destination for fans, international visitors and the local community."

Under the new redevelopment plan, provisions will be kept for safe standing, hospitality and accessible seating. The seating bowl will further enhance the experience at the stadium while the roof has been optimised to amplify the sound from the fans towards the pitch. The design of the new Kop stand will support an increase in capacity in the future. Behind the stand, a brick facade will be created as a tribute to the city's 'Terracottapolis' nickname.

Speaking on the new design, 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.

Professor Joe Yates, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University, added: “We are delighted to hear of the latest progress from our neighbours at the football club, who have today unveiled the plans for their new Kop Stand, which is extremely impressive. Not only is this an incredibly exciting development for our community, it is also momentous for North Wales which is now one step closer to bringing international sport back to Wrexham. We have a long-standing, special relationship with the club and are proud that we, as a university, were able to play a role in helping to keep the football club alive during some difficult times. The club is so important for Wrexham, and we will continue to be supportive neighbours and do all we can to enable the delivery of the ambitious new stadium adjacent to our halls of residence. Our support for the club remains unwavering and we will continue to collaborate and work together for the benefit of our community.”

The new stand will be fully compliant with UEFA Category 4 stadium requirements. This will also enable the venue to host UEFA European Under-19 Championship matches in 2026.

The Red Dragons will be back in action in League One on Tuesday as they take on Port Vale in an away fixture.