Renowned Hollywood personalities, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have disclosed their intention to expand the Racecourse Ground in Wales, transforming it into the largest football stadium in the country. Presently accommodating just over 12,500 individuals, the co-owners of Wrexham AFC are fervently devoted to a comprehensive redevelopment project aimed at accommodating between 45,000 and 55,000 spectators.
In an interview on the Collider podcast, McElhenney articulated their phased approach to the stadium expansion, affirming, “We have a plan in place right now that would eventually work from stand to stand. Eventually, you get all four sides, and it’s hard to say for sure, but we think we could get between 45,000 and 55,000 people in there.” This ambitious vision is a testament to the duo’s unwavering dedication to rejuvenating the time-honoured football ground.
Notwithstanding their enthusiasm, Reynolds and McElhenney have recognized the potential challenges they may encounter during the redevelopment process. The club has already confronted difficulties with the redevelopment of the emblematic Kop, encountering delays and bureaucratic impediments, which McElhenney amusingly addressed during an interview. He underscored the complexities of navigating regulations and red tape in the UK, a sentiment echoed by Reynolds, who compared the construction processes in Wales to those in New York and Los Angeles.
Fans of Wrexham have expressed optimism that the club’s renaissance under the ownership of Reynolds and McElhenney will culminate in them playing in one of the premier stadiums in Wales. McElhenney underscored the duo’s aspiration to reach the Premier League while upholding ethical and sustainable practices, a mission that resonates with the support of the community.
The ambitious blueprint to metamorphose the Racecourse Ground into a contemporary football stadium illustrates the unwavering commitment of the Wrexham co-owners to elevate the club’s infrastructure, with the ultimate goal of competing at the highest echelon of English football. As the Hollywood luminaries infuse their ardour and resources into this undertaking, the future of Wrexham AFC seems poised for a substantial transformation. With Reynolds and McElhenney at the helm, the club endeavours to uphold its heritage while aspiring to reach new pinnacles in the realm of football.