Reimagining Wrexham’s museum for football and community

The exterior of the refurbished Football Museum of Wales and Wrexham Museum building
The refurbished museum brings together sporting heritage and community history. Credit: Football Museum of Wales and Wrexham Museum, 2026.
The new Football Museum of Wales and Wrexham Museum brings football heritage and local history back to its historic home in north-east Wales through a fully refurbished museum.

Our £2.8million grant helped transform one of Wrexham's most recognisable civic buildings and create a brand-new national home for Welsh football with the museum opening its doors on 25 September 2026.

The museum celebrates both the story of Welsh football and the rich heritage of Wrexham and its communities. Through interactive displays, games, hands-on experiences and community-curated galleries, visitors can explore local history alongside the national story of the beautiful game.

A group of children watch footage about football projected onto the walls of a gallery space
The football galleries include interactive and immersive displays. Credit: Football Museum of Wales and Wrexham Museum, 2026.

As the home of the Welsh Football Collection, the museum showcases nationally significant objects that chart the development of football in Wales, from grassroots clubs to the national teams. Highlights include match programmes dating back to 1901, John Charles' debut Wales shirt from 1950 and a cap awarded to Welsh football pioneer Billy Meredith.

Alongside the football galleries, visitors can discover Wrexham's story across a series of themed galleries featuring remarkable objects, personal stories and collections spanning prehistory to the present day. The museum has been developed with communities at its core and serves as a learning hub, community space and visitor attraction for local people and tourists alike.

The interior of a museum with display cases and video screens
The museum tells the story of centuries of life in the town. Credit: Football Museum of Wales and Wrexham Museum, 2026.

The opening represents a significant milestone for culture and heritage in Wales, creating a state-of-the-art venue that reflects national pride on the football field while celebrating the people, places and communities that have shaped Wrexham's history.

Andrew White, Director for Wales at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "At its heart, this project is about people and place. It captures Wrexham’s passion and pride by bringing together football history and local heritage. It will shine a spotlight on the stories and experiences that have helped define Wrexham and inspire new audiences to discover them.

"It's a fantastic example of how National Lottery funding helps communities tell their own stories. Thanks to National Lottery players, these stories will be preserved and shared for generations to come." 

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Project data

Programme
National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £250,000 to £5million
Date awarded
Location
Brynyffynnon
Local Authority
Wrexham
Applicant
Wrexham County Borough Council
Award Given
£2816783

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