Wrexham AFC have unveiled the plans for the new Kop Stand at the Club’s STōK Cae Ras stadium, featuring a unique design that will create an atmospheric home for the Club’s passionate fans and become an iconic destination for fans, international visitors and the local community on both matchdays and non-matchdays.
The 5,500-capacity new Kop Stand, 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.
ABOVE: the new Kop stand, by leading sports architects Populous, offers a 5,500-capacity
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 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,” said Michael Williamson, Wrexham AFC CEO.
“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. It will provide an iconic landmark standing at the gateway to the city giving it a true sense of place.”
The new Kop Stand has been future proofed with the current design capable of supporting an increase in capacity, subject to a separate planning application.
ABOVE: the roof will be 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.
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 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.
