Wrexham AFC's incredible 'exploding box' design for stadium transformation

The stand's striking facade has glass panels between the angled planes to allow fans to look in and out of the stadium
-Credit:Wrexham AFC/Populous


Dramatic artists impressions have been released of Wrexham AFC’s planned Kop Stand at the club’s STōK Cae Ras stadium. With a crenellated-style exterior designed to echo the region’s coal and slate heritage, the club hopes it will become an iconic city landmark.

Architects have designed the roof of the proposed stand to “amplify” sound from home fans towards the pitch. Two dragons from the club’s crest will be “prominently embossed” into the brick façade at one corner of the stand.

Behind the stand will be a public plaza that will act as a fan space on match day and a community space and public area throughout the year. Plans for the plaza include the positioning of the sister wheel of the Gresford Colliery wheel in remembrance of the miners who perished in the 1934 mining disaster.

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The planned stand has been designed by leading sports and entertainment architects Populous, previously responsible for the Principality, Wembley, Emirates and Yankee stadia. As well as providing safe standing, hospitality and accessible seating, it will include player and officials’ facilities. This will allow fans to “welcome the team onto the pitch through a player tunnel in the stand, providing another unique experience at the stadium”, said the club.

The Kop Stand will have a 5,500-fan capacity. However it has been “future proofed” so that capacity could be increased if needed, subject to a separate planning applications.

Its most striking feature are the angled planes of brickwork at the rear of the stand. This produce a profile reminiscence of a crown or a castle, or even an exploding box or the ridge panels of a stegosaurus. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now

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Declan Sharkey, global director and senior principal at Populous, said the façade echoes the “strata of coal and slate seams that represent the industrial heritage of the local area, with the feeling that they have emerged organically from the ground they stand on”.

The stand's rear wall backs onto a public plaza
The stand's rear wall backs onto a public plaza -Credit:Wrexham AFC/Populous
The stand's roof has been designed to ‘amplify’ sound from home fans
The stand's roof has been designed to ‘amplify’ sound from home fans -Credit:Wrexham AFC/Populous

The design team said the use of brick at the rear of the stand pays homage to the City’s “Terracottapolis” nickname. This moniker is derived from the huge number of high quality bricks, tiles and other terracotta products that were historically manufactured in the Wrexham area and distributed across the world. Populous said the colour and textures of the stand’s bricks are reminiscent of the historic Ruabon red brick.

Michael Williamson, Wrexham AFC’s CEO, said the new Kop Stand will restore the stadium’s traditional four-sided appearance. Upgraded facilities will also leave the stadium meeting UEFA Category 4 specifications so that international sport can resume in Wrexham – the stadium is due to host the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final tournament matches in 2026.

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Mr Williamson added: “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. It will provide an iconic landmark standing at the gateway to the city, giving it a true sense of place. The stand reflects the key role the football club can play in the rejuvenation and redevelopment of the city through its role in the Wrexham Gateway Project.”

An unusual design feature is the glass walls built into unbricked areas at the back of the stand. Set against the brickwork, this is designed to create a lattice effect that allows transparency through the brickwork into and out of the stand itself.

Explaining the concept, Mr Sharkey said: “A contemporary approach to the brick detailing enables layers of transparency through the brickwork that dissolve the boundary between the stand and the public plaza outside. This allows visibility into and out of the stand, responding to the club’s role as an open and integral part of its local community.”

One corner will feature two brick embossed dragons
One corner will feature two brick embossed dragons -Credit:Wrexham AFC/Populous

Wrexham AFC owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have a long cherished ambition to establish Wrexham AFC as a Premier League club in front of increased attendances. For this, they will need an improved stadium while safeguarding its heritage: The STōK Cae Ras is the world’s oldest international stadium that continues to host international games.

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Wrexham Council leader Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said the “exciting” Kop design will hopefully pave the way for more regular international football in the city. It was also a signal of intent for the wider Wrexham Gateway project, which aims to transform one of the main corridors into the city of Wrexham.

He said: “I would like to thank the football club for working in true partnership on this. The incredible things happening at the club are continuing to propel Wrexham onto a global stage. Football is bringing communities together, boosting local pride and helping to attract visitors and investment.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the Cymru women’s team take on Sweden at the STōK Cae Ras later this month. If the Kop development leads to more international fixtures being hosted in Wrexham in the future, that will be hugely important for the city, and the benefits will be felt far beyond the football pitch.”

The proposed stand is being billed as a “unique destination and landmark” for the city. Prof Joe Yates, vice-chancellor of stadium neighbour Wrexham University, said it was an “incredibly exciting development”. He added: “It is also momentous for North Wales which is now one step closer to bringing international sport back to Wrexham.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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