Roof truss installed as Wrexham’s new Kop Stand nears completion 2026

Key Points

• Images taken in aerial photos on 3rd September 2026 document the lifting of the first part of the roof trusses of the new Kop Stand at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground.
• This represents a significant development milestone in the £70m stadium redevelopment project, with most of the concrete terraces already done and concourse development work halfway through.
• Wrexham AFC’s CEO, Michael Williamson, revealed to the Leader that the stand is scheduled to be opened in full operation at the start of the 2027-2028 season.
• Last year’s revised planning permission approved a 5,500-seater stand while an additional permission application plans to up the capacity to 7,500-seaters, increasing the total capacity of the stadium to over 18,000.
• Footage shot by drones on Britain From Above and other platforms towards the end of August and the beginning of September shows rapid development of the steel structures in preparation for roof lifting.
• The completion of the stand will give back the four-sided nature of the Racecourse stadium after decades of having an open end at the Kop.

Wrexham (Wales Times) September 04, 2026 – Aerial images show dramatic progress on the new Kop Stand as the first roof truss section is lifted into place, signalling a decisive phase in the stadium’s multi‑year redevelopment.

Photographs taken by Stu Roberts of the Leader Camera Club and published by the Leader show cranes hoisting the initial roof truss segment above the steel framework, with further lifts expected to connect end sections to the central piece. Football Ground Guide reported that aerial footage filmed on 2 September captured the first roof base section in position, describing the moment as a “major milestone” that makes the scale of the project easier to appreciate.

As reported by the Leader’s uk/sports/">sports desk, CEO Michael Williamson recently confirmed the aim is to have the stand fully opened for the start of the 2027–28 season, aligning with earlier statements that completion would occur during the 2026–27 campaign before being refined to the 2027–28 target. The Border Counties Advertizer carried the same imagery and headline, underscoring the regional significance of the development for north Wales.

What is the latest progress on Wrexham’s Kop Stand roof installation?

The latest visual evidence indicates that the Kop Stand’s roof structure has moved from ground assembly to vertical installation. According to Football Ground Guide, much of the new terracing is already complete and concrete work around the concourse is roughly halfway finished on that level, while the construction setup suggests a major lift could follow shortly to connect end sections with the newly installed central roof piece.

Drone updates from the Britain From Above channel, filmed on 29 August, showed two further roof‑truss sections lifted into position after previously sitting on the ground, providing another indication of how quickly the upper part of the stand is developing. Subsequent videos dated 1–3 September documented cranes in position, repositioning of roof beams, and preparation for additional lifts, with one upload noting that a rectangular roof support piece had been installed the day before.

How will the new Kop Stand change the Racecourse Ground?

The completed Kop Stand will make the Racecourse a four‑sided stadium once again, ending a long period in which the north end remained open. A revised planning application approved last year provided for a redesigned 5,500‑seat stand; a further application has since been submitted to increase the stand to 7,500 seats, which would take overall stadium capacity to just over 18,000.

Football Ground Guide noted that the project, undertaken by Mcclaren Construction group, is part of a £70m redevelopment that will increase capacity to just over 18,000 and “change the look of Wrexham forever”. The expansion also includes additional seating across the other three stands and the installation of two new giant screens at one end of the stadium, as previously outlined in club updates.

Who is overseeing the Kop Stand redevelopment and what is the timeline?

Wrexham AFC chief executive Michael Williamson has provided the most recent public timeline, telling the Leader that the aim is to have the stand fully opened for the start of the 2027–28 season. Earlier reporting by Football Ground Guide indicated the aim had been to complete the Kop work at some point during the 2026–27 season, with the completion date pushed back slightly from an initial summer 2026 opening target.

Concrete pouring for foundations began in February 2026, with the first pieces of structural steelwork installed in May and ongoing through June and July, according to Wrexham AFC News and Football Ground Guide. Drone footage shared by the club and independent creators has tracked progress monthly, with August and early September updates highlighting rapid steelwork installation and the transition to roof lifts.

What do aerial images and drone footage reveal about construction pace?

Aerial images published by the Leader on 4 September show the first roof truss section suspended by cranes, with the stand’s steel skeleton clearly visible and terracing largely in place. Football Ground Guide’s 2 September footage similarly shows the first roof base section in place, describing the update as a point where “the scale of the project suddenly becomes much easier to appreciate”.

Britain From Above’s 29 August video noted that roof‑truss sections previously on the ground had been added to the structure, while later videos on 1–3 September showed cranes positioned for further lifts and a rectangular roof support piece already installed. One 3 September upload stated that information from people working on site indicated lifts were scheduled for that day and the next, though exact timing remained dependent on site conditions.

What planning approvals and capacity changes are involved?

A revised planning application for the Kop redevelopment was approved last year, providing for a redesigned 5,500‑seat stand, the Leader reported. A further planning application has since been submitted to increase the stand to 7,500 seats, which would raise overall stadium capacity to just over 18,000.

Football Ground Guide previously outlined that the expansion includes more seats across all three existing stands and two new giant screens, contributing to the broader modernisation of the Racecourse Ground. The £70m project, delivered by Mcclaren Construction group, is positioned as a transformative upgrade for the club’s home venue.

Background of the Kop Stand development

The Kop Stand redevelopment at the Racecourse Ground has been a long‑awaited component of Wrexham AFC’s stadium modernisation, with visible progress accelerating in 2026 after years of planning and preparatory works. Foundations and concrete pouring began in early 2026, followed by the installation of structural steelwork from May onwards, as tracked through club videos and independent drone footage. The project’s timeline shifted from an initial target of completion before the 2026–27 season to completion during that season, and most recently to a full opening target at the start of 2027–28, according to statements by CEO Michael Williamson.

Prediction: How this development can affect Wrexham AFC supporters and the local community

The completion of the new Kop Stand is likely to affect Wrexham AFC supporters by increasing matchday capacity, improving sightlines and amenities, and reinforcing the Racecourse’s status as a modern four‑sided stadium. For the local community, the £70m redevelopment may sustain construction and hospitality employment in the short term and boost footfall around matchdays in the longer term, while the expanded capacity could enhance the club’s ability to host larger fixtures and events. If the 7,500‑seat configuration is approved, the overall capacity of just over 18,000 would position the Racecourse among the larger grounds in the EFL, potentially influencing ticket availability, pricing and the matchday experience for season‑ticket holders and casual attendees alike.