Wrexham's Racecourse ground to play host to ties in UEFA Women's Champions League
Context mode is active. Hover over any highlighted term to see its definition. Click a nested term to go deeper.
Wrexham's iconic Racecourse Ground is set to make history next month, hosting UEFA Women's Champions League (UWCL) qualifying ties, marking a thrilling European debut for Wrexham AFC Women. The Welsh champions will kick off their UWCL journey against Armenian side Pyunik in a semi-final clash on July 22, 2026, with the winner advancing to face either Northern Ireland's Glentoran or Latvia's Riga in a final on July 25. This momentous occasion brings European football back to the club's home ground for the first time in 31 years, signaling a new chapter for the Red Dragons. This isn't just a big deal for Wrexham; it highlights the rapid ascent of women's football in Wales, significantly boosted by the club's recent successes. Wrexham AFC Women clinched their first-ever Adran Premier title in the 2025/26 season and also lifted the Adran Trophy, propelling them into Europe's elite club competition. The club's Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have invested heavily, transforming Wrexham into a semi-professional outfit and ensuring the Racecourse Ground meets stringent UEFA standards, including a comprehensive £1.7 million pitch overhaul and ongoing development of a new Kop stand. Looking ahead, if Wrexham triumphs in their opening mini-tournament, they will progress to the second qualifying round, which also follows a single-venue mini-tournament format, slated for August 5-8. The ultimate goal is to navigate three qualifying rounds to reach the UWCL league phase, a challenging but inspiring prospect for a team making their European debut as the lowest-ranked club by UEFA coefficient. This journey is poised to further elevate the profile of women's football in Wales and inspire a new generation of players.