Wrexham unveiled a defining moment in its cultural journey today, with the official brand reveal of the museum’s new name and logo, a fresh identity deeply-rooted in the region’s proud footballing heritage celebrating community spirit within a county steeped in rich cultural and industrial history.
The newly named ‘Football Museum of Wales and Wrexham Museum’, opening in 2026, will celebrate Welsh football and the area’s heritage.
The Football Museum half of the building will celebrate Welsh football, past and present. The re-brand is not just an aesthetic change, but a vision for how the museum will honour the stories, triumphs, and memories of football fans and players alike. Meanwhile, in the other half of the building, new galleries will be created to display the Wrexham Museum collections.
The museum project team has delivered an exceptional visitor attraction, celebrating football’s role in Welsh culture and community - demonstrating how sport heritage and local history continue to connect people across generations.
Work continues behind the scenes, with interior fitting and gallery preparation well underway. Project teams are currently focused on installing state-of-the-art displays, interactive elements and visitor amenities, as the galleries takes shape.
Alwyn Jones, Chief Executive Wrexham County Borough CouncilOur interactive exhibitions and public programming will offer a unique opportunity for those interested in both Wrexham’s and Welsh Football’s cultural tapestry, to explore and celebrate our fascinating history.”
Why Wrexham?
Wrexham is often referred to as ‘the spiritual home of Welsh football’; a nickname gained long before the recent global attention the city has attracted following the takeover of Wrexham AFC by Hollywood stars, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
The Football Association of Wales was founded in the Wrexham during a meeting at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel in 1876.
Wrexham AFC was established in 1864, making it the oldest professional football club in Wales and the third oldest in the world.
Their ground, the Racecourse, hosted the nation’s first home international match in 1877. Some of Wales’ most successful players have come from or played in Wrexham including Billy Meredith, Mark Hughes, Robbie Savage and, more recently, Neco Williams.
Wrexham Museum is home to the official Welsh Football Collection – the largest collection relating to Welsh football in public ownership. The museum has cared for the collection for over twenty years during which time it has been used in more than a dozen exhibitions, as well as being a resource for researchers, TV production companies and other museums.
Wrexham is now the home of the FAW National Training Centre at Colliers Park (Gresford), the Wrexham AFC Professional Training Centre at the Groves proposed but doesn’t exist currently, and the Wrexham Gateway redevelopment of the Racecourse Ground.
Wrexham’s connections to football, both domestic and international, were highlighted in the town’s successful bid to be recognized as a city.
‘Working together to make it happen’
Many themes will be showcased at the Football Museum for Wales in Wrexham including Welsh language communities, fan culture, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and LGBTQ+ experiences.
Find out more
Visit the museum website to find out more about the project. You can also follow Football Museum for Wales on social media:
Facebook – Amgueddfa Bel Droed Cymru / Football Museum Wales
Twitter – @footymuseumwal
Instagram – @footballmuseumcymru
