McLaren secures Wrexham AFC Kop contract

Fans of the football team, which is owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, could be cheering from an all-new 7,750-capacity stand during the 2026/27 season now that a pre-construction services agreement has been signed.

McLaren Construction Midlands and North has been recruited by Wrexham AFC to develop the final designs for the Kop stand, which was designed by Populous. The contract also includes tendering subcontractor packages and adjusting timelines and delivery strategies for the scheme.

McLaren stated that early works on the stand would begin later this month, with an eye to complete the project at some point during the 2026/27 football season.

The Kop will sit by Crispin Lane at STōK Cae Ras, formerly known as the Racecourse Ground. The scheme has planning permission in place for 5,500 seats, with an additional planning application submitted to grow that number by 2,250. Its completion will see the stadium’s capacity surpass 18,000 and comply with UEFA Category 4 guidelines – enabling the facility to host more international matches than it currently can.

“The appointment of McLaren under PCSA is a pivotal moment for the club, not only in delivering on a long-standing promise to our supporters but in unlocking the potential of the Racecourse Ground as a top-tier venue for domestic and international football,” said Michael Williamson, chief executive of Wrexham AFC.

Joel Casstles, operations director at  McLaren Construction, added: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of a project with such historical, cultural, and sporting significance.

“Wrexham AFC holds a special place in the heart of the community, and we’re committed to delivering a high-quality scheme that supports the Club’s ambitions, creates local employment opportunities, and celebrates the legacy of this unique football ground.”

The Kop project is part of a wider Wrexham Gateway Partnership regeneration plan, a joint project between the club, Wrexham University, Wrexham County Council, and the Welsh Government.

Wrexham Gateway includes the building of a convention centre, hotel, and 400-space multi-storey car park in the city.