The Racecourse Ground, officially known as STōK Cae Ras for sponsorship reasons, serves as the home stadium of Wrexham AFC. Located on Mold Road in Wrexham, Wales, the ground holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest international football stadium still in continuous use.
The stadium has hosted Wales international matches since 1877, making it a cornerstone of Welsh football history. Wrexham AFC purchased the freehold from Wrexham Glyndŵr University in June 2022, marking the first time the club has owned the ground outright.
Stadium capacity and current configuration
The Racecourse Ground currently operates with a capacity of 12,600 for football matches. The stadium features three permanent stands plus a temporary structure at the Kop end.
For music concerts, the venue can accommodate up to 21,000 spectators. The ground underwent significant upgrades in August 2025, including undersoil heating, improved drainage, and goal-line technology installation.
The four stands
The Wrexham Lager Stand forms the main structure with a two-tier configuration holding 4,200 spectators. Built in 1972, the stand houses the Board Room, Executive Lounge, Bamford’s Suite and Centenary Club, along with press facilities and the Director’s Box.
The Macron Stand opened in 1999 as the newest permanent structure with capacity for 3,500 fans. This all-seater stand features executive boxes, hospitality facilities including The Changing Rooms restaurant, a television gantry, and an autism-friendly quiet zone in Block PG1 with a nearby sensory room.
The STōK Cold Brew Coffee Stand sits behind one goal with seating for 3,000 supporters. Previously known as the Tech End or University End, the stand provides excellent sightlines and acoustics. The concourse facilities include Jonesy’s Bar and house the Wrexham AFC Community Trust office.
The Fourth Wall Temporary Kop Stand currently provides 2,289 seats behind the opposite goal. This uncovered structure opened in December 2023 as an interim solution while the permanent Kop redevelopment progresses.
Stadium history and significance
The Racecourse Ground dates back to 1807, initially serving as a venue for cricket and horse racing. Wrexham AFC has played at the site since the club’s formation in 1864, with only a brief two-year absence between 1881 and 1883 when they relocated to the Recreation Ground in Rhosddu.
Wales played their first home international match at the ground on 5 March 1877, against Scotland Guinness World Records, with the home side losing 2-0. This historic fixture established the Racecourse as the world’s oldest international football venue still hosting matches, a status officially recognised by Guinness World Records.
The stadium witnessed its record attendance on 26 January 1957, when 34,445 spectators gathered for an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Manchester United. The ground also served as a site for aviation displays before World War I, with Gustav Hamel performing public exhibitions in August 1912 and June 1913. The ‘History of Football’ did a in-depth video of the full history.
Where The Racecourse Ranks Among the World’s Oldest Stadiums
The Racecourse Ground holds a unique position in football history. Sandygate Stadium in Sheffield claims the title of oldest football ground in the world, recognised by Guinness World Records, having opened in 1804. Bramall Lane in Sheffield, which opened in 1855, is considered the oldest football stadium in the world where the game was played continuously as a major sport.
However, the Racecourse Ground’s 1807 construction predates Bramall Lane, and it has been used for football since Wrexham were founded in 1864. While Sandygate and Bramall Lane are older structures, the Racecourse Ground’s distinction lies in its unmatched international football heritage, having hosted more Wales international matches than any other venue.
Wales played their first home international match at the ground on March 5, 1877, against Scotland. This historic fixture established the Racecourse as the world’s oldest international football venue still hosting matches.
The stadium witnessed its record attendance on January 26, 1957, when 34,445 spectators gathered for an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Manchester United. The ground also served as a site for aviation displays before World War I, with Gustav Hamel performing public exhibitions in 1912 and 1913.
Ownership history
The stadium’s ownership changed hands multiple times throughout its history. In 2002, chairman Alex Hamilton controversially transferred the freehold from Wrexham AFC to his company Damens Ltd for a nominal fee, triggering legal battles that lasted until 2006.
Former owners Geoff Moss and Ian Roberts sold the ground to Wrexham Glyndŵr University in August 2011 following financial difficulties. The university granted the club a 99-year lease in 2016, handing operational control back to Wrexham AFC.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed the purchase of the stadium freehold on June 29, 2022, shortly after their takeover of the club. This transaction marked a significant milestone in the Hollywood duo’s commitment to Wrexham AFC’s future.
Stadium naming rights and sponsorship
STōK Cold Brew Coffee became the stadium’s first naming rights sponsor in a deal announced in May 2023. The sponsorship agreement officially took effect on July 1, 2023, rebranding the venue as STōK Cae Ras or STōK Racecourse.
The partnership extends beyond naming rights, with STōK also sponsoring one of the stands. Gatorade joined as the official sports drink partner in April 2024, adding another commercial element to the stadium’s operations.
Recent Stadium Developments
In August 2025, Wrexham completed a £1.7 million pitch revamp featuring undersoil heating and upgraded drainage systems. The changes were made to create a state-of-the-art, UEFA-compliant facility for first-team home matches, with the pitch also extended in length to accommodate future rugby matches.
The 2025 upgrades included moving both dugouts to the opposite side of the pitch, installing a new TV gantry, reconfiguring stands to add extra seats, and erecting two new giant screens. Goal-line technology was installed as part of the modernisation and the pitch was repositioned two metres toward the Kop end.
In July 2025, the club submitted a planning application for an additional 2,250 seats in the new Kop Stand, which would increase the stand’s capacity to approximately 7,750 seats. The stadium is scheduled to host UEFA European Under-19 Championship matches in 2026, making these UEFA-compliant upgrades essential for hosting international youth tournaments.
Kop stand redevelopment plans
The original Kop stand closed in 2008 on safety grounds after serving as the largest all-standing terrace in the English Football League with 5,000 capacity. The structure was demolished in January 2023 to make way for a complete rebuild.
Wrexham County Borough councillors approved plans for a new 5,500-seat Kop stand on March 3, 2025. The new stand will feature safe standing provision, hospitality facilities, accessible seating, office space, and retail areas.
Wrexham aims to complete construction in time for the 2026/27 season, allowing the stadium to host UEFA European Under-19 Championship matches in 2026. Populous, the architectural firm behind Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leads the design work.
The external facade will incorporate Ruabon red brick to honor Wrexham’s nickname “Terracottapolis” and reflect local heritage. The stand is designed with potential for future expansion if needed.
Long-term expansion vision
Reynolds and McElhenney have outlined ambitious plans to expand the Racecourse Ground capacity significantly beyond the initial Kop redevelopment. The co-owners believe they could achieve a capacity between 45,000 and 55,000 through stand-by-stand development of all four sides.
The Wrexham Lager Stand has been identified as the next phase of redevelopment after the Kop completion. A 55,000-capacity stadium would place the Racecourse Ground among the ten largest venues in England.
Disabled access and facilities
The Racecourse Ground provides 38 disabled seating spaces at the front of the Macron Stand. An elevated viewing platform opened in August 2015 at the rear of the same stand, adding six additional spaces for wheelchair users and carers with weather protection.
The stadium offers 22 disabled parking spaces in the adjacent Wrexham University car park. Two accessible toilets and low-counter refreshment kiosks serve disabled supporters, with steward assistance available upon request.
Wrexham became the first club in Wales to receive an autism-friendly award from the National Autistic Society in 2018. The stadium provides allocated seating in a quieter section, ear defenders, a dedicated quiet hub, and specialized steward support for every home match.
Eight spaces accommodate visually impaired supporters, with audio descriptive commentary available through ten handsets distributed on a first-come basis. The commentary also broadcasts to the local hospital for patients unable to attend.
Getting to the stadium
Wrexham General railway station sits adjacent to the Racecourse Ground, providing convenient access for supporters traveling by train. The station connects to the national rail network with regular services.
Wrexham bus station in the town center sits approximately 15 minutes’ walk from the stadium. From the station, visitors head toward the multi-story car park, turn right onto Mold Road, and follow the road across the railway bridge.
Drivers should take the A483 from Chester or Oswestry toward Wrexham. Exit at the Mold junction and follow signs for the town center. The stadium comes into view shortly after following these directions. The postcode for navigation systems is LL11 2AH.
Stadium tours
Wrexham AFC launched official stadium tours in July 2023, offering supporters and visitors behind-the-scenes access to the world’s oldest international football ground. Tours provide insight into the stadium’s rich history and unique features.
Adult tickets cost £10, while children under 11 pay £5. Tours can be booked through the club’s official channels and include access to areas normally restricted on matchdays.
Other sporting uses
The Racecourse Ground has hosted rugby league matches since 2000, including ten Wales international fixtures. North Wales Crusaders called the stadium home between 2012 and 2016 after the Super League franchise Crusaders RL relocated from South Wales.
Rugby union internationals have taken place at the venue on four occasions. Wales defeated Romania three times at the ground in 1997, 1999, and 2003. The stadium also hosted a 1999 Rugby World Cup Pool match between Japan and Samoa, which Samoa won 43-9.
Concerts and entertainment
The Racecourse Ground has hosted major music events throughout its history. The first concert took place in summer 1976, featuring KC and the Sunshine Band, Junior Walker, and Mac and Katie Kissoon.
Motörhead headlined in July 1982 with Twisted Sister making their UK debut as support. Recent performers include Stereophonics, UB40, Olly Murs, and Kings of Leon, who played two shows in May 2023.
Media appearances
The stadium served as a filming location for the 2014 BAFTA-winning television film “Marvellous,” which told the story of Neil Baldwin. The venue has gained international recognition through the “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary series on Disney+.
Stadium specifications
The pitch measures 102 meters by 68 meters (335 feet by 223 feet) with a natural grass surface. Recent improvements include undersoil heating, enhanced drainage systems, and goal-line technology.
The field dimensions were extended in 2025 to accommodate rugby matches. Both dugouts relocated to the opposite side of the pitch as part of the summer upgrades, with a new two-level TV gantry installed to maintain proper camera positioning.
Two giant screens were added at one end of the stadium, while the old scoreboard at the Kop end was removed. Additional seating was incorporated into all three permanent stands to maximize capacity during the redevelopment period.
📷 Feature Image Credit: Wrexham AFC Fanzone
