Wrexham's Racecourse ground to play host to ties in UEFA Women's Champions League

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.