Wrexham aim to complete new Kop stand by 2026

Wrexham's Racecourse stadium before the Kop stand was demolished

Wrexham say the proposed rebuild of the Kop stand at their Stok Racecourse home will be completed by 2026.

Work on a new 5,500-capacity stand was originally due to begin in 2023 but was delayed because of what the club called “additional complications”.

However, the rebuild is now back on the agenda with Wrexham, who are owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, saying they have appointed architects Populous to "create a masterplan" for their stadium.

Wrexham say the "initial focus" will be on the Kop rebuild, with the new facility to be completed in time for the ground to host the Uefa European Under-19 Championship final tournament in 2026.

Plans for the new stand include provision for safe-standing, hospitality and accessible seating.

Wrexham say it will be a focal point for the stadium and a destination for fans and the local community on matchdays and non-matchdays.

The original standing Kop terrace was abandoned in 2007 and was unused until its demolition in January 2023.

Wrexham, in conjunction with the local council, had planning permission granted in November 2022 for a 5,500-seater replacement.

In January 2023, an application for UK government Levelling Up Fund money was rejected and delays to the Kop redevelopment were announced the following September, when Wrexham said funding for the project had not yet been finalised.

Reynolds and McElhenney gave the green light to the building of a temporary stand last season, which the club said would remain in place until the new development starts.

The capacity of the interim facility was increased to around 3,000 for Wrexham's return to League One in 2024-25.

“We appreciate the efforts of those who have worked on this project to date, allowing us to now focus our attention on the activation of areas within the new stand, while remaining consistent with the capacity and volume that was previously presented," said Wrexham chief executive officer Michael Williamson.

Reynolds and McElhenney previously expressed their frustration at the delays, but said a long-term ambition would be to increase the stadium's capacity to as much as 55,000.

Populous, an architectural firm with global headquarters in Kansas City, have previously worked on projects including Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.