Populous X Wrexham: the future Kop Stand | OneFootball

Wrexham AFC and Populous have unveiled the design for new Kop Stand.

(italian version here)

Wrexham AFC have unveiled the plans for the new Kop Stand at the Club’s STōK Cae Ras stadium (Racecourse Ground), based on a design by Populous. The new stand will feature a unique design that will create an atmospheric home for the welsh club’s passionate fans and will become an iconic destination for visitors, representing a unique piece of architecture that will embrace and celebrate the local identity and structural past of the town.

The 5,500-capacity new Kop Stand (future proofed with the current design capable of supporting an increase in capacity, subject to a separate planning application), designed by leading sports and entertainment architects Populous, includes the provision for safe standing, hospitality and accessible seating and will be a prominent focal point of the area visible from the city centre.

(img: courtesy of Populous)

The seating bowl has been designed to create a home end for the Club’s fans that will reinforce the atmosphere within the STōK Cae Ras, with design of the roof optimised to amplify sound from the spectators towards the pitch. The inclusion of player and officials’ facilities within the new Kop Stand allows fans to welcome the team onto the pitch through a player tunnel in the stand, providing another unique experience at the stadium.

The new Kop Stand will be fully compliant with UEFA Category 4 stadium requirements and along with adjustment to the pitch, and other technical requirements, this will enable the STōK Cae Ras Stadium to host the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final tournament matches in 2026, and other international matches in the future.

(img: courtesy of Populous)

At the rear of the stand an external brick facade pays homage to the City’s “Terracottapolis” nickname, and the brick colour and textures are reminiscent of the historic Ruabon red brick from the local area.

Built against a glass wall along key areas at the rear of the stand, the brick façade uses a contemporary interpretation of the ‘Flemish bond’ brickwork found throughout Wrexham, creating a signature brickwork pattern for the club that is rooted in the area. Two dragons from the club’s crest are prominently embossed into the brick façade at one corner of the stand.

The Flemish bond explained: it’s a traditional pattern where stretchers and headers are laid alternately in a single course. Originated in the Middle Age, was seen through many buildings in Netherlands and was peculiar of the Georgian architecture in England (around 1720-1840).

(img via 1stassociates)

The pattern allows the texture to transition across the façade and includes a lattice effect that allows transparency through the brickwork into and out of the stand itself, reflecting the transparency that the Club aims to have with its community. The overall effect creates an authentic aesthetic grounded in the history and heritage of the city, while providing a modern, forward-looking identity to create a unique destination and landmark.

The rear of the stand looks onto 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.

(img: courtesy of Populous)

The STōK Cae Ras (originally named Racecourse Ground) is the world’s oldest international football stadium still in continuous use, having hosted Wales’s first ever international home game against Scotland on March 5, 1877. The stadium’s history can be traced back much further, however – with horse racing recorded at the Racecourse possibly even 400 years ago. Used for multiple sports throughout its history, Wrexham played their first ever match at the ground in October 1864, and the Club has played there almost ever since – only moving for a brief two-year period between 1881-1883.

all the images courtesy of Populous