Stadium

History of the Racecourse Ground

Welcome to the home stadium of Wrexham AFC, the Racecourse Ground – currently known as the SToK Racecourse for sponsorship reasons. Its history dates back as far as 1807 and has also served as the Red Dragons’ home ever since the football club was formed in 1864.

The Racecourse Ground holds a piece of Welsh footballing history, as well. It was the site of Wales’ first-ever home international football match on March 5, 1877. The fixture makes the ground the oldest international football venue still in continuous use anywhere in the world.

Wrexham AFC are the sole permanent resident of the Racecourse Ground now as the owner of the stadium. The Red Dragons bought the venue back from Wrexham Glyndwr University in June 2022. It had earlier bought the ground off the club in August 2011 and leased it back.

Wrexham AFC bought the Racecourse Ground back in 2022

Former Wrexham owners Geoff Moss and Ian Roberts sold the Racecourse Ground following the club hitting financial difficulties. But they secured the right to remain co-residents, while the Wrexham Supporters’ Trust also later took control of the operation of the venue in 2016.

Wrexham Glyndwr University gave the Wrexham Supporters’ Trust operational control after Wrexham AFC signed a 99-year lease agreement. But it felt the Racecourse Ground should belong to Wrexham again after Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds became their owners.

As part of the Hollywood duo’s ambitions for the club, Wrexham now plan to redevelop the Racecourse Ground. The Red Dragons also got £25m in government funding in April 2023 after councillors voted to back a grant for several works, including a 5,500-capacity stand.

The Kop is set for major changes ahead of the 2024/25 season

Plans to redevelop the Racecourse Ground also feature a new hotel, further office space and conference facilities. While the 5,500-capacity stand will replace the current Kop stand and take the stadium’s capacity to 15,000. The club expect to open the stand for the 24/25 term.

The Kop stand is the oldest part of the current Racecourse Ground and is also the only non-seated area. In contrast, the Wrexham Lager Stand is the main all-seated area with a 4,200 capacity. It is a two-tier fully-roofed structure with hospitality facilities in the Centenary Club.

Wrexham can also host corporate sponsors in the Macron Stand, which opened in 1999. The stand also features a television and commentary gantry with modern facilities. Fans can also sit in the 3,000-capacity all-seated and fully-roofed University End situated behind one goal.

The Racecourse Ground has come a long way since it opened in 1807 and it is set for further alternations with Wrexham AFC’s intended changes. It was initially built as a cricket site and, occasionally, for horse racing. The site was also used for flying before the outbreak of WWI.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney change the name of the Racecourse Ground

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny as the owners of Wrexham AFC also announced changes to the Racecourse Ground’s name in May 2023 as SToK Cold Brew Coffee became the club’s first stadium sponsor. The deal saw the Red Dragons’ site be renamed the SToK Racecourse.

Wrexham AFC’s stadium naming rights deal came into effect on July 1, 2023 ahead of their return to League Two. It saw one of the largest and fastest-growing cold brew coffee brands in the US join forces with the Red Dragons with the full backing of the Club Advisory Board.

SToK Cold Brew Coffee also sponsored Wrexham AFC’s debut pre-season tour in the United States in 2023. The tour was the first time that Wrexham AFC’s first-team squad have gone across the pond. SToK does not sell its cold brew coffee products in the UK as of May 2023.

How to get to the Racecourse Ground

Fans can get to the Racecourse Ground via numerous forms of private and public transport when visiting Wrexham AFC’s stadium. It is easily accessible by train with Wrexham General station next to the ground. While Wrexham bus station is a 15-minute walk to the stadium.

Supporters wishing to use private vehicles to get to the Racecourse Ground should take the A483 from Chester or Oswestry to Wrexham. They will then see a signposted route following the Mold junction directing traffic to the town centre and the Racecourse Ground soon after.

Stadium tour information

Wrexham AFC began holding tours of their stadium, the Racecourse Ground, in July 2023. The tours give Red Dragons supporters and visitors a chance to see behind the scenes at the world’s oldest football ground. Tours also offer a chance to learn about the site’s history.

Address

Racecourse Ground: Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 2AH