Wales' top 2025 pick for tourists wouldn't have featured in many travel guides a few years ago
Tourism chiefs in Wales have published their top 25 places and events to visit in 2025 – and the number one pick is one that wouldn't have appeared in many travel guides just a few years ago. Heading the list, reflecting its recent change in fortunes, is Wrexham AFC's football stadium.
The world's oldest international football venue, now called STōK Cae Ras, is currently bracing for the return of second-tier football for the first time in 43 years. It's home to Wrexham AFC, whose fairytale journey from non-league to the Championship has been scattered with Hollywood stardust since the club's 2021 takeover by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Wrexham AFC's new-found global popularity was driven by the Disney+ 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary series. Already it's had a major impact on tourism with visitors from Asia, Australia, North and South America visiting the city to experience the club's history, stadium, pubs and culture.
Wrexham has since seen a reported 20% year-on-year increase in visitors. It's prompted the UK Parliament's Welsh Affairs Committee to launch an inquiry into the 'Ryan and Rob effect' – to find measures that could replicate Wrexham AFC's success on the international stage
In an update of its '25 in 25' campaign, STōK Cae Ras (Cae Ras is Welsh for 'Racecourse') is now the number one pick of Visit Wales, the Welsh Government's tourism arm. Previously, its top suggestion was a visit to one of the World Heritage castles in Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Harlech.
Visit Wales said: 'You've seen the documentary, now visit the home of the world's third oldest football club. We can't guarantee you'll bump into Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, but the town has newly become a city – one more reason to have your own Welcome to Wrexham.
'Visit Wrexham Racecourse – the stadium home to Wrexham AFC – for a night game. With the floodlights flickering into action and the anticipation building under the cover of darkness, there's a magical air to these matches.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.)
On Tripadvisor, STōK Cae Ras attracts mixed reviews. Many visitors – especially from overseas – love the historic site's authenticity, with a Philadelphia couple declaring themselves 'huge fans' of Wrexham AFC.
'We watch every game through National League TV from the States,' they wrote. 'We were not able to tour the grounds, however we went to the club store and met all the wonderful people working there. We were also lucky enough to bump into super Paul Mullin!!'
However, not all visiting football fans are impressed with the facilities, noting how parts of the stadium are showing signs of age. A London visitor also believes an opportunity is being missed.
'I looked at this from outside but there was nothing interesting,' he said. 'Please have some story boards put up of Wrexham's history. Maybe even a statue of a famous player from the past. You don't feel like you are at a football club. This has so much history!'
(Image: Wrexham AFC/Populous)
Many of these concerns are being addressed. This month, the club submitted updated plans to Wrexham Council for its new Kop Stand. If approved, the stand will have a capacity of 7,750, bringing the stadium's capacity to around 18,000.
Architects have designed the stand's roof to 'amplify' sound from home fans towards the pitch. Two dragons from the club's crest will be 'prominently embossed' on its brick façade, while a new public plaza will act as a fan space on match days.
Planned on the plaza is a Gresford Colliery sister wheel in memory of the 261 miners who perished in the 1934 disaster. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Visit Wales' '25 in 2025' places and events to visit
Wrexham Racecourse (STōK Cae Ras) Three Cliffs Bay, Gower Between the Trees Festival, Candleston Woods, Merthyr Mawr Llyn Padarn, Eryri (Snowdonia) Dolassey Farm's turf-roofed lodge accommodatyion, Powys Hot Air Balloon ride over Raglan Castle Llangrannog's sandy cove (Traeth y Pentref) Tenby, Pembrokeshire The Castles and Town Walls of Edward I (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Wye Valley Principality Stadium, Cardiff Pembrokeshire festivals –Westival music and arts festival, and Fforest Gather, Wales' smallest festival Steelhouse Festival, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent Laugharne, Carmarthenshire - coastal town where Dylan Thomas lived, inspiring Under Milk Wood. Llangollen, home to the International Eisteddfodd festival Caernarfon Castle – Visit Wales says 'this gem deserves a spot in itself' Wild swimming at Keepers Pond, Blaenavon Michelin dining experience at Ynyshir, Machynlleth Sunflower fields at Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula The Hay Festival, literary festival in Hay-on-Wye, Powys The Coastal Way road trip – 180-mile route along Cardigan Bay from St Davids to the Llŷn Peninsula. Portmeirion, Italiante village near Porthmadog, Gwynedd Isle of Anglesey – explore its 'beautiful coastline and great forests' Zip World, North and South Wales Kayaking and swimming at the Blue Lagoon, Abereiddy, Pembrokeshire
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