Wrexham AFC, a club with a storied past and a newfound global spotlight, has found itself at the center of a fierce debate after securing an £18 million non-repayable public grant to overhaul the historic Kop stand at the Stok Cae Ras, also known as the Racecourse Ground. The move, defended by both Wrexham council and the Welsh government, is part of a sweeping regeneration effort designed to revitalize the stadium and, by extension, the local economy. Yet, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from some quarters, raising questions about the use of public funds for a club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, whose ownership has already transformed Wrexham’s fortunes both on and off the pitch.
The grant, announced in December 2025, is earmarked for the redevelopment of the new Kop stand, as well as significant upgrades to the floodlights, pitch, and other stadium infrastructure. The improvements are intended to make the Racecourse Ground fit for hosting high-profile international football matches—something it hasn’t done regularly in decades, despite holding the record for most Wales home games since its first international fixture in 1877.
Wrexham council has been quick to defend the funding, emphasizing that “there are conditions attached to the funding” and that the investment will help preserve the “unique culture and heritage” of Wales’ oldest stadium “for generations to come.” The Welsh government echoed this sentiment, stating, “public sector funding will make the crucial difference” in creating a venue capable of hosting competitive international football. According to the council, without this grant, redevelopment would have met only basic league standards, falling short of the requirements needed to attract international fixtures back to North Wales.
But not everyone is convinced. Stefan Borson, a football finance expert and head of sport at McCarthy Denning, described the grant as “unusual” in the current economic climate, especially since “it’s highly likely that the owners would have paid for it themselves, because it’s fundamental to the football club.” Borson pointed out that most ambitious clubs in the country already have four stands, and questioned the rationale for prioritizing public funding for a club owned by “US entrepreneurs who, between them, have literally billions of pounds of liquid assets.” He went on to challenge the claim that the new stand would lead to regular international fixtures in Wrexham, suggesting, “I would suggest that they will not play more than one game per season at Wrexham for international football—if that—because the capacity of the ground is clearly a fraction of Cardiff.”
Despite the criticism, the club and local authorities remain steadfast. The grant forms a crucial part of the broader Wrexham Gateway Project, a £25 million regeneration scheme that includes not just the stadium improvements but also a new hotel, conference facilities, club office space, and the redevelopment of the area around Wrexham General Station. The vision is to create a multi-use hub capable of hosting international football and high-profile events, thereby generating jobs and boosting the local economy by attracting visitors from far and wide.
Wrexham’s own strategic report from the summer of 2024 underscored the importance of developing the Stok Cae Ras, noting that the stadium’s modernization is central to the club’s ambitions. A spokesperson for Wrexham stated, “The impact of these improvements, and the ability to host international sporting events in north Wales, will create both a catalyst for local job creation and provide an overall economic uplift to the region due to the increased number of visitors attracted to the events and their economic activity while they are in the area.”
Before landing the Welsh government grant, Wrexham had seen an application for funding through the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund rejected in January 2025. This setback prompted the club and council to seek alternative means, ultimately resulting in the current public-private partnership. Council documents supporting the grant’s approval made it clear: “There is no incentive for the private sector to pursue the project. The subsidy is therefore necessary to overcome this market failure to allow the redevelopment and contribute towards the objective of developing the economy of Wrexham.”
The Racecourse Ground’s transformation is happening against the backdrop of Wrexham’s meteoric rise under Reynolds and McElhenney. Since their takeover in 2021, the club has achieved three consecutive promotions, catapulting from the National League to the Championship. This on-field success has been matched by off-field growth: the club’s turnover soared from £10.5 million in 2023 to £26.7 million in the financial year ending June 2024. The Hollywood owners’ profile, combined with the “Welcome to Wrexham” television series, has drawn international attention—especially from the United States—helping the club secure major sponsorship deals and a global fanbase.
The stadium’s redevelopment is ambitious. Initial plans for a new 5,500-seat Kop stand were unveiled earlier in 2025, but by July, updated designs aimed to boost the capacity to 7,750. The ultimate goal is to see the Racecourse Ground’s total capacity exceed 18,000, meeting UEFA Category 4 specifications—a requirement for hosting major European and international matches. Not stopping there, Reynolds and McElhenney have previously expressed their dream of one day expanding the stadium to accommodate between 45,000 and 55,000 fans, though those plans remain a distant aspiration for now.
For the people of Wrexham, the redevelopment represents more than bricks and mortar. The Racecourse Ground is a symbol of the town’s identity and resilience, and the prospect of hosting international football again is a source of immense local pride. Yet, the debate over public funding is unlikely to fade quickly. Critics argue that, with the club’s newfound wealth and high-profile ownership, the money could have been better spent elsewhere. Supporters counter that the investment will deliver lasting benefits, not just for football fans but for the entire community.
As the Kop stand rises and the Racecourse Ground inches closer to its next chapter, all eyes are on Wrexham. Will the gamble pay off, bringing international football and economic revival to North Wales? For now, the town is buzzing with anticipation, its future tied to a project that’s as bold and ambitious as the club’s Hollywood owners.
Only time will tell if the Racecourse Ground’s transformation will usher in a new era for Wrexham and its people. But one thing’s for sure: the world is watching, and the stakes have never been higher.
