The Racecourse Ground
Wrexham AFC Complete Travel Guide β 2026-27 Season
β οΈ Season Currency Notice: This guide is accurate as of August 2026 for the 2026-27 Championship season. Details like ticket prices, pub/venue status, and transport can change β always double-check before travelling.
ποΈ ABOUT THE RACECOURSE GROUND
The Racecourse Ground (Welsh: Y Cae Ras) is the world’s oldest international football stadium still hosting matches. Wrexham AFC have played here since 1864, and it staged Wales’ first home international in 1877. The ground reverted to its historic name in summer 2026 after its previous sponsorship deal expired.
A major redevelopment of the Kop end began in October 2025, adding up to 7,750 seats including a safe standing area. It’s due to open in stages through the second half of the 2026-27 season. Under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney since 2021, the club’s rise has been chronicled in “Welcome to Wrexham,” but the atmosphere remains proudly working-class Welsh football at heart.
π STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS
| Capacity | 12,800 β rising to around 16,000β18,000 once the new Kop stand is fully complete |
| Opened | 1864 (160+ years of history!) |
| Away Section | Wrexham Lager Stand (upper tier), Gates 1β4 |
| Away Allocation | Typically around 1,500 seats (can increase for bigger fixtures) |
| Record Attendance | 34,445 vs Manchester United (FA Cup, 1957) |
π GETTING TO THE RACECOURSE GROUND
Wrexham is well connected by rail from across the UK, and the stadium’s town centre location makes it one of the easiest grounds to reach on foot from the station. Driving is straightforward too, though parking near the ground itself is limited on matchdays.
πΊοΈ STADIUM LOCATION MAP
The Racecourse Ground Address: Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 2AH
π BY TRAIN β The Recommended Choice
Why Trains Work: Wrexham General station sits just a 10-minute walk from the stadium, with a straightforward stroll through the town centre past plenty of pubs and shops along the way.
Journey Times to Wrexham General:
π΄ London Euston: 3.5β4 hours (change at Chester or Shrewsbury)
π Birmingham: 1.5β2 hours (change at Shrewsbury or Chester)
π‘ Manchester: 1.5β2 hours (change at Chester)
π’ Liverpool: 1β1.5 hours (change at Chester or Bidston)
π΅ Chester: 20β30 minutes (direct)
Getting from Wrexham General Station to the Racecourse Ground
πΆ Walking (10 minutes) β Recommended!
Exit onto Station Approach, turn right onto Regent Street which becomes Mold Road β the stadium is on your right. Straightforward, and a good chance to explore the town centre pubs first.
π Bus (5β10 minutes, Β£1.50βΒ£2)
Local Arriva Buses Wales services run from the town centre towards the stadium area, though the walk is usually just as quick.
π Taxi (5 minutes, Β£5βΒ£7)
Readily available from the station taxi rank if you’d rather not walk.
π‘ Top Tip: This is one of the easiest grounds in the Championship to reach β station to turnstile in around 15 minutes door to door.
π Train Times & Tickets: nationalrail.co.uk | thetrainline.com
π Wrexham AFC Official Site: wrexhamafc.co.uk
π BY CAR β Limited Parking Near the Ground
Wrexham sits just off the A483, but parking right by the stadium is scarce β most away fans use the university or nearby retail park instead.
If You’re Driving:
- From the M53/A55: Follow the A483 towards Wrexham, exit at Junction 5 (A541) signposted “Wrexham/Football Stadium,” then take the first exit towards the town centre
- Postcode for sat nav: LL11 2AH
Parking Options:
- Wrexham GlyndΕr University Car Park: Around Β£3, short walk to the ground
- Plas Coch Retail Park: Around Β£2, roughly 5 minutes’ walk
- Town Centre Car Parks: Β£2βΒ£5, 10β15 minutes’ walk
π‘ Top Tip: Arrive 90+ minutes before kick-off β the university and retail park options fill quickly on busy matchdays.
πΊ PUBS & DRINKS NEAR THE RACECOURSE GROUND
β οΈ IMPORTANT ADVICE: Wrexham town centre is compact, walkable, and generally welcoming to away fans. The pubs below are all a short walk from the station and ground.
πΊ The Turf (Mold Road, by the Kop end β attached to the stadium)
The pub made famous by “Welcome to Wrexham.” A Marston’s house that admits away fans in small numbers, so arrive early β it fills up fast and gets very busy on matchdays.
Distance to Stadium: Adjacent | Price: ££ (Mid-range)
πΊ Magic Dragon Brewery Tap (13 Charles Street, LL13 8BT)
CAMRA Wales Pub of the Year winner, housed in the former Elephant & Castle. Up to four Magic Dragon ales plus guest beers, with a genuinely friendly welcome for visiting fans.
Distance to Stadium: 10 minutes’ walk | Price: ££ (Mid-range)
πΊ The Centenary Club (Yale Stand, Racecourse Ground)
The club’s own bar at the back of the Yale Stand admits away fans free of charge, shows Sky Sports, and serves Wrexham Lager alongside local cask ale.
Distance to Stadium: Inside the ground | Price: Β£ (Budget)
πΊ Plas Coch (Plas Coch Retail Park, near GlyndΕr University)
A Marston’s pub with cask ale on the retail park, close to the university car park. Shows matches on TV and welcomes away supporters.
Distance to Stadium: 5 minutes’ walk | Price: ££ (Mid-range)
π Local Tip: Try a pint of Wrexham Lager while you’re here β Britain’s oldest lager brewery, brewed in the town since 1882.
π½οΈ FOOD OPTIONS
The Fat Boar
Location: 11 Yorke Street, town centre
Why go: Independent bar and restaurant with a big menu of locally sourced food, live music, and a lively pre-match crowd. Open seven days a week.
The Bank Wine Bar & Bistro
Location: 43 High Street, town centre
Why go: Locally sourced small plates and tapas-style dishes in a stylish setting β consistently one of the highest-rated restaurants in Wrexham.
Ijazz Indian Cuisine
Location: 25 Egerton Street
Why go: Award-winning Indian restaurant in a converted old pub, with a wide range of dishes and halal options available.
Carniboar Steakhouse
Location: 38β41 High Street
Why go: Independent steakhouse with generous portions, a strong vegetarian selection too, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Jones’s Fish & Chip Shop
Location: 43 St George’s Crescent
Why go: A long-standing local institution serving classic fish and chips β a reliable, no-fuss pre-match option. Check current opening hours before travelling.
π¨ WHERE TO STAY IN WREXHAM
Wrexham’s town centre is compact, with most hotels within walking distance of the ground and station. Since the Hollywood takeover the town draws more visitors than ever, so book early for popular fixtures.
π· Budget (Β£45β70/night)
Premier Inn Wrexham City Centre
Directly opposite Wrexham General station and within a 10-minute walk of the ground. Reliable chain quality, all-you-can-eat breakfast available.
Location: Opposite the station | Book: premierinn.com
π·π· Mid-Range (Β£80β130/night)
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Wrexham
Wrexham’s only 4-star hotel, just off the A483 around a mile from the town centre. Leisure club with pool and sauna, restaurant and bar on site.
Location: Off the A483, 1 mile from centre | Book: wyndhamhotels.com
π·π·π· Luxury (Β£130+/night)
Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa, Chester
A 4-star spa hotel just over the Welsh border, five minutes from Chester city centre with an easy train connection into Wrexham via Chester station.
Location: Pulford, near Chester | Book: grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk
β½ Booking Tip: Book well ahead β Wrexham’s global profile means hotels fill quickly, especially for high-profile Championship fixtures.
π― THINGS TO DO IN WREXHAM
Wales’ newest city (granted city status in 2022) mixes historic heritage with a growing cultural scene. If you’re arriving early, there’s plenty to fill the time.
βͺ St Giles’ Church (Must Visit!)
One of the Seven Wonders of Wales, with a magnificent 16th-century tower and the tomb of Yale University founder Elihu Yale. Tower climbs run on the first Saturday of each month at 11am and 12 noon, taking in North Wales’ only peal of ten bells and 360-degree views.
Cost: Church free; tower climb Β£5 (book via Wrexham Visitor Information Centre) | Time: Allow 30β60 minutes
π Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the longest, highest aqueduct in Britain β Thomas Telford’s 1805 masterpiece, standing 126 feet above the River Dee. Walk across or take a canal boat trip for spectacular views.
Cost: Free to view/walk | Info: cadw.gov.wales | Time: Allow 1β2 hours
π° Erddig (National Trust)
A Grade I listed 17th-century country house with 1,200 acres of parkland, a Victorian walled garden and a well-known “upstairs downstairs” history. Tea room on site.
Cost: Β£15 adult / Β£7.50 child (free for National Trust members) | Info: nationaltrust.org.uk | Time: Allow 2β4 hours
π TΕ· Pawb
Wrexham’s award-winning arts, market and community hub in the town centre, with a food court of independent traders, a gallery, and regular live events. A good spot for pre-match lunch.
Cost: Free entry | Info: typawb.wales | Time: Allow 1β2 hours
π¬ Xplore! Science Discovery Centre
A hands-on science centre in the town centre, great for families, with a brand-new fixed planetarium opening in spring 2026.
Cost: Check xplorescience.co.uk for current admission | Time: Allow 1β2 hours
Nearby Attractions
Wrexham Lager Brewery:
Britain’s oldest lager brewery (since 1882), served on the Titanic. Not open to casual walk-ins, but guided tours can be booked in advance β check wrexhamlager.co.uk.
Chester:
The historic Roman city is just 20 minutes away by train, with Roman walls, the Rows shopping galleries, and a wider choice of restaurants and hotels.
π THE WREXHAM EXPERIENCE
π¬ The Hollywood Factor: Wrexham is now a genuine tourist destination, so book hotels, restaurants and parking well ahead of your visit.
πΆ Compact and Walkable: Station, town centre, pubs and stadium all sit within a 10β15 minute walk of each other.
π¦οΈ Welsh Weather: North Wales weather changes quickly β pack a waterproof even in summer.
β½ THE MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE
ποΈ Football History: You’re visiting the world’s oldest international football stadium β take a moment to appreciate it.
ποΈ Building Work: Expect some disruption around the Kop end while the new stand is completed through the season.
ποΈ Away Tickets: Sold match-by-match, first-come first-served β buy early through the away club rather than on the day.
π USEFUL CONTACTS
ποΈ Wrexham AFC: 01978 891864 | wrexhamafc.co.uk
π« Ticket Office: 01978 891864 | wrexhamafc.co.uk/tickets
π National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 | nationalrail.co.uk
π Arriva Buses Wales: arrivabus.co.uk/wales
βΉοΈ Visit Wrexham: visitwrexham.wales
π° Erddig, National Trust: nationaltrust.org.uk
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π Part of the Football Nonsense Championship Away Days Collection
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Β© 2026 Football Nonsense. All rights reserved. All information correct at time of publication. Always check with venues directly before your visit.
John Herman is a Leeds-based, would-be football writer and founder of Football Nonsense. Blending fan passion with sharp opinion, attempting to tackle the game’s biggest debates, from the terraces to the boardroom, with honesty, (attempted) humour, and heart.