⚽ Group Purchase to Global Football Phenom: The “Dragon’s Den Stadium & Sports District”
On June 20, 2025, Wrexham AFC’s Hollywood-backed owners—Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney—officially unveiled the $3 billion “Dragon’s Den Stadium & Sports District” project. The development will transform the existing Racecourse Ground into a cutting-edge football, entertainment, and community complex—the largest such investment in Welsh sports history .
🎥 Visionary Ambitions
Since acquiring Wrexham in late 2020, Reynolds and McElhenney have already overseen promotions from the National League to League One and ongoing momentum towards the Championship. Now, they’re setting their sights even higher with this bold, Hollywood-scale masterplan .
“We’re building more than a stadium—we’re building a cathedral of sport, community, and pride,” the duo shared. “With this investment, we’re laying roots so deep they’ll be here long after we’re gone” .
🔍 Project Highlights
55,000-seat retractable-roof stadium, adaptable for football, rugby, concerts, and large-scale events—destined to become Wales’s largest venue .
Wrexham United Football Academy, featuring world-class training facilities and residential accommodations for both men’s and women’s teams.
Commercial & entertainment hub with retail, restaurants, cinemas, esports arena, and a Wrexham AFC museum.
On-site luxury hotel: 300 rooms with skyline views, VIP suites, and dedicated player residences.
Sustainability-first design, featuring solar power, rainwater harvesting, and lush vertical gardens.
Transport enhancements: Plans include a new tram line and motorway upgrades, in partnership with local authorities .
💷 Economics & Funding
The venture is financed through a combination of private capital from Reynolds and McElhenney, public–private partnerships, and expected naming rights agreements with sponsors. Preliminary forecasts suggest a £5 billion boost to North Wales over the next decade, creating 8,000 jobs across construction, hospitality, and tourism .
Prime Minister Rachel Reeves described the project as “a monumental milestone for Welsh infrastructure and a golden opportunity for economic regeneration in the north” .
📣 Wrexham & Community Response
Local supporters have been overwhelmingly supportive. Barry Edwards, a 30-year season ticket holder, expressed:
> “It’s unreal. These lads have brought our club—and our town—back to life.”
Westminster and Welsh officials are on board too. Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton called it “the greatest investment in Welsh football infrastructure ever,” while First Minister Vaughan Gething hailed it as “Hollywood meets Hadrian’s Wall” .
The Football Association of Wales is already considering hosting national team matches at the new venue, potentially sharing games with Cardiff.
🏗 Timeline & Legacy
Construction begins: Early 2026 (subject to final approvals)
Partial openings (training zones, retail, academy): As soon as 2027
Full completion, stadium & district: End of 2029
Meanwhile, minor upgrades to the present Racecourse Ground will keep Wrexham playing there through the transition period.
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🚀 Bigger Than Football
This project not only cements Wrexham’s on-field ambitions—it’s a game-changing model for international sporting infrastructure, particularly for clubs outside the Premier League. Analysts suggest it could pave the way for similar developments across the UK .
It also crystallizes what Reynolds and McElhenney have championed from the start: building community-first, globally minded structures with heart and heritage at their core .
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✅ Key Takeaways
Aspect Impact
Economic Estimated £5 billion boost, 8,000+ jobs
Capacity 55,000-seat stadium, Wales’ largest
Legacy Academy, hotel, transport, cultural hub
Timeline Construction starts 2026, completion 2029
This project marks more than a stadium expansion—it signals Wrexham’s arrival on the global stage as a bea
con of modern football, community engagement, and Welsh pride.
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