Digital BIM and GIS visualization of the planned 5,500‑seat Kop stand at the Racecourse Ground showing drainage, access routes and adjacent rail lines.
Wrexham, Wales, August 20, 2025
An engineering and architecture team led by Ramboll has been hired to design a new 5,500‑seat Kop stand at the Racecourse Ground. The project combines geographic information system (GIS) mapping with 3D building information modeling (BIM) to create a shared digital environment that fits the stand into a constrained neighborhood site adjacent to active rail lines. Integrated GIS‑BIM workflows enable clash detection, drainage and traffic planning, and sustainability features like solar panels and stormwater management. The stadium upgrade is tied to wider town regeneration plans, including transport improvements and non‑match‑day amenities to boost local economy and tourism.
What happened: An engineering and architecture team has been hired to design a new 5,500‑seat Kop stand at the Racecourse Ground, the oldest international football stadium still in use. The project uses combined geographic information system (GIS) and building information modeling (BIM) tools to plan a modern stand that fits into a tight neighborhood site and supports wider city renewal driven by the club’s recent success.
Owners who brought major financial backing and global marketing attention to the club bought the team during 2020–2021 and made modernizing the stadium a top priority. The stadium needed repair when the new ownership took over. The owners documented their revival work in a documentary series, and local leaders describe the club’s progress as the heart of a broader push to boost tourism, retail, and jobs across the city.
Ramboll closely reviewed every decision using advanced mapping and 3D modeling. The stadium sits inside an established neighborhood and is adjacent to active rail lines and dense infrastructure. A design misstep could have undermined community support, which is essential for the project’s success. To avoid that, Ramboll fused GIS and BIM software to solve site-specific integration challenges and to create a shared digital environment for all teams.
Project teams combined GIS‑powered maps with 3D BIM models to build dynamic visualizations of the stadium site, the surrounding area, and planned upgrades. These environments served as a single source of truth where data moved freely between mapping and modeling platforms, adding environmental details that brought models to life. By merging these tools, Ramboll broke down traditional silos between design and environmental staff and allowed field data to feed directly into the designers’ BIM workflows.
The integrated view let teams place multiple building models in one place to see how elements such as pipes, pathways, drainage, and access routes would fit together before ground was broken. This helped teams anticipate problems and avoid clashes in construction, shifting the project from reactive problem solving to proactive risk mitigation. The workflow also enabled planning for water drainage, traffic flow, and sustainability features such as solar panels and stormwater management.
The club’s broader planning connects stadium upgrades to transport improvements and downtown regeneration. Plans under consideration include non‑match‑day amenities such as a hotel, retail shops, and office space that aim to increase local footfall and support new jobs. Ramboll’s UK and Ireland digital hub manager led aspects of the digital integration and emphasized that design choices must respect the stadium’s place in the neighborhood and the community’s long history with the club.
Since the change in ownership, the club moved up through the leagues to reach the second tier of English football. In April 2025, the team recorded an unprecedented run of three straight promotions. This sporting success, paired with marketing and financial investment, has attracted new visitors and boosted tourism. Local businesses and pub owners report fuller hotels and busier restaurants on match days. Community fundraising and charitable donations tied to the club have also increased.
After promotion to the Championship, the manager is expected to refresh the squad ahead of the 2025/26 season. One veteran player has already departed, and other moves are possible. The team is targeting midfield reinforcements and is exploring free‑agent options, including players with Championship and Premier League experience. One target discussed is a 26‑year‑old midfielder who has top‑flight and Championship pedigree but has been sidelined by injuries this season; patience would be required to restore full fitness. Identifying players available on free transfers is a clear priority as the club looks to strengthen with proven second‑tier quality.
The stadium has deep roots in a town that experienced industrial decline and population stagnation for years. Local supporters, long loyal through lean periods, see the club’s revival as a source of civic pride and a practical driver of regeneration. Increased tourism, new events at the stadium such as concerts, and planned improvements to town center services are all part of the wider strategy to make the area more attractive for residents and visitors.
Design teams will continue to refine plans in the shared GIS‑BIM environment to ensure designs match existing ground conditions and community needs. The integrated models are expected to reduce surprises during construction and to keep the project aligned with citywide regeneration goals. Deliverables include final stand designs, drainage and access plans, and coordination with rail and highway authorities on transport impacts.
The planned Kop stand will hold 5,500 spectators.
An engineering and architecture firm is leading design work and is integrating GIS and BIM tools for planning and coordination.
Combining GIS and BIM creates a shared digital model of site conditions and proposed work, enabling teams to spot conflicts, design for drainage and transport, and coordinate sustainability features before construction starts.
Stadium upgrades are part of a broader plan that includes transport improvements and non‑match‑day amenities such as hotel, retail, and office space to attract visitors and support local businesses.
Promotions and increased visibility have boosted tourism and local spending, filled hospitality venues, and supported community fundraising and volunteering.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stand capacity | 5,500 |
| Design approach | Integrated GIS + BIM |
| Primary goals | Fit into existing neighborhood, manage drainage, traffic, sustainability |
| Site constraints | Dense local streets, adjacent active rail lines, existing utilities |
| Broader plans | Transport links, hotel, retail, office space, increased events |
| Digital lead | UK & Ireland digital hub manager overseeing integration |
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