The Racecourse Ground. Credit: Roberts & Daughter
Wrexham AFC chief executive Michael Williamson has offered one of the clearest indications yet of how big the Racecourse Ground could eventually become, revealing that he believes a capacity between 26,000 and 29,000 would be ideal for the club’s historic home.
There is plenty of work to be done before Wrexham reach anything approaching those numbers, but Williamson’s comments provide a fascinating glimpse of the bigger picture. The redevelopment of the Racecourse is about far more than the new Kop currently taking shape.
Crucially, there appears to be a balance to strike. Wrexham need considerably more seats to accommodate their growing support, but not at the expense of the character that makes the Racecourse what it is.
Michael Williamson reveals ideal Wrexham Racecourse capacity
Speaking about the eventual plans for the stadium, Williamson has now put a figure on what he considers the right size for Wrexham’s home.
“I think an ideal capacity would be between 26,000 and 29,000.
“That is probably the right level for the footprint that we have. To still stay traditional to what the Racecourse is.”
Those comments, shared by RobRyanRed, give supporters a clearer idea of the destination Wrexham are working towards.
The word “ideal” is particularly interesting. Williamson is not simply talking about fitting as many supporters as physically possible into the site, with the club seemingly conscious of preserving the feel of a ground where Wrexham have played since the 19th century.
That approach can already be seen in the new Kop. Wrexham AFC originally secured planning approval for a 5,500-capacity stand in November 2022, replacing the old terrace which had been out of regular use for years.
The new Kop is only the beginning for Wrexham
The stadium project has developed significantly since those original plans, but the Kop remains the first major piece of the Racecourse transformation supporters can see happening in front of them.
Even the appearance of the new stand has been shaped by its surroundings. Wrexham have confirmed its façade will use Ruabon-red brick in a pattern inspired by local brickwork, another nod towards ensuring a modern Racecourse retains its connection to the town.
Williamson’s latest figures also underline the scale of Wrexham’s longer-term ambition. Getting anywhere close to 26,000 or 29,000 supporters inside the ground would require substantial further expansion beyond the Kop.
Exactly what those later stages will look like is for another day. For now, supporters finally have a clearer idea of the size of stadium Wrexham’s hierarchy believe is right for the club.
A Racecourse holding close to 30,000 would have seemed a distant prospect not too long ago. The challenge now is making that growth possible without losing the identity of the ground along the way.
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