Wrexham AFC gets temporary stand at 80% capacity

Daniel Sedlarevic12/01/2024 5:55 am11/01/2024

Image credit: Wrexham AFC

Wrexham AFC has got the green light for its new temporary stand, which will open at 80% capacity.

The League Two football club erected the temporary structure, which has a capacity of 2,289 and can accommodate an additional 20 wheelchairs, after it was revealed in September that the new permanent Kop stand would not be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season as anticipated.

The club indicated that “good progress” was being made on the temporary stand’s licence application, and it has been revealed that it will open at 80% capacity.

Wrexham stated in September that the new Kop stand at the Racecourse Ground will not be completed for the start of the 2024-25 season, citing a lack of a start date on site. The build duration has been scheduled at 12 months, and it is unclear how long the temporary stand will be in place.

Wrexham maintained in January that it was moving on with plans to refurbish the Kop end despite losing Levelling Up funds, with Morgan Sindall named the preferred contractor for the project.

However, the Kop stand, will be a significant shift for the club once again being able to take its place on the roster of venues capable of hosting international football.

The Wrexham Gateway project, which involves the reconstruction of the Racecourse Ground, was not one of the 11 Welsh projects that received government financing. The new stand, which will seat 5,500 people, has been a top objective for co-chairmen Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds since they took over the club in February 2021.

The Racecourse Ground is currently named as STōK Cae Ras | STōK Racecourse Stadium due to a sponsorship agreement with US-based STōK Cold Brew Coffee.

Reynolds and McElhenney are committed to their ultimate goal, to push the club all the way to the Premier League, and are determined to have a stadium fit for the occasion.

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Mbappé move from Nike to On signals new battle for Football’s sponsorship market

Oliver Van Bronswijk23/09/2026 6:00 pm23/09/2026

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Kylian Mbappé’s decision to leave Nike after almost 20 years has opened a new chapter in the commercial battle for football’s biggest names. The Real Madrid and France star has joined Swiss sportswear brand On, a significant boon for the company on entry into the football market.

Mbappé’s departure is a significant commercial loss for Nike. The forward joined the company as a nine-year-old and grew into one of its leading football figures. His loss compounds the recent transition of Spanish star Lamine Yamal to long-time rival Adidas.

On built its reputation in running, before expanding into tennis via Roger Federer. It will now use Mbappé’s experience as it develops football products, with its first boots expected to become widely available in the near future. Former France star Thierry Henry has also joined On as its football director and is a shareholder.

On has confirmed that Mbappé’s agreement includes both cash and equity, although the financial details have not been released, gives the partnership a deeper commercial connection than a traditional endorsement deal. Nike still holds significant football contracts, including long-term partnership with numerous national teams.

However, Mbappé’s move gives On an opportunity to challenge the established order, including Nike, Adidas, Puma and other emerging competitors. But will they turn this prized signature into lasting football credibility? To do so, the brand must now deliver products that can compete on performance, design and price.

Mbappé’s switch is therefore more than a sponsorship change. It signals an increasingly competitive fight for football’s most influential athletes and the billions of fans who follow them.

SBS expands Australian Championship broadcast coverage for 2026

Oliver Van Bronswijk23/09/2026 9:01 am23/09/2026

Image Credits: Football Australia

The Australian Championship will enter its second season with an expanded broadcast partnership between Football Australia and SBS. The 2026 competition will feature two live SBS broadcasts in every round, marking an increase from the tournament’s debut season.

Thursday night football will form a key part of the new broadcast schedule. The opening match will see Preston Lions face Wollongong Wolves on October 15th, with the game broadcast live on SBS2 and SBS On Demand. Saturday football will also remain part of the free-to-air schedule; first up, Sutherland Sharks’ clash with South Melbourne on October 17th will be shown live on SBS and SBS On Demand.

The expanded agreement gives the competition a greater presence across SBS’s linear channels while retaining its full streaming coverage, with every match across the 2026 Australian Championship available live on SBS On Demand. The platform also provides full replays and highlights for viewers to access at their discretion.

In addition to SBS’ coverage, Football Australia will also stream the competition via YouTube.

The Australian Championship consists of a six-round group stage, finals beginning at quarter-finals from November 26, and a Grand Final scheduled currently between December 10-12.

It features 16 clubs from seven states and territories. The broadcast schedule places several historic fixtures in front of a national audience: South Melbourne will meet Sydney United 58 in a repeat of the 1999 NSL Grand Final, and Sydney Olympic and Marconi Stallions will also renew a rivalry that includes NSL Grand Final meetings in 1989 and 1990.