Wrexham’s new “museum of two halves” brings the nation’s football heritage and the city’s own story together under one roof.
The long-awaited Football Museum of Wales and Wrexham Museum opened to the public on Friday 25 September. It sits in the County Buildings in Wrexham city centre. Inside, visitors can explore Welsh football history alongside the story of Wrexham itself. Before the doors opened, a special preview event thanked the funders and launched the free entry tickets.
A Museum of Two Halves
One half of the museum celebrates the diverse heritage of football in Wales. It covers everything from grassroots clubs to the national team. Meanwhile, the other half explores Wrexham’s rich history. That story runs from the area’s mining past to the modern times that shaped the city today.
Anyone who knew the original museum will notice a dramatic change. The County Buildings look very different now, and there is far more to see and explore. Visitors will also find plenty of interactive and immersive displays throughout the new layout.
As a result, the national football and local history collections finally have a home that matches their scale. Wrexham’s huge rise as a visitor destination also called for this level of quality. Everyone is welcome, and visitor experience assistants and volunteers are on hand to guide people around the building.
A Special Preview Event
The preview event welcomed Heledd Fychan, Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport. “Having been lucky enough to visit today, I can’t wait to see this landmark attraction open to the public later this month,” she said.
She also praised the way the museum blends national and local stories. “It brings our nation’s footballing heritage to life whilst also celebrating the rich history and the communities who call Wrexham home. Each exhibit and each story told are an important part of our national story, and there’s so much for visitors to enjoy and learn.”
Finally, she had a message for visitors from further afield. “I’d encourage everyone – from Wrexham, from Wales and from wherever they live in the world – to come and experience this superb museum of two halves for themselves,” she added.
Cllr Mark Pritchard, leader of Wrexham Council, said the opening had been “highly anticipated”. He also called the preview “a great opportunity to thank all the funders” ahead of the public opening.
In addition, he paid tribute to the team behind the project. “Everyone at the museum has put years of hard work into designing and developing the interactive and immersive content within the new layout,” he said. “The involvement of local communities in curating the object displays has been a remarkable achievement. I would personally like to thank the staff, once again, for their dedication to this project, and I look forward to seeing visitors to the museum making the most of this attraction in the city centre.”
Plan Your Visit
Entry is free, but visitors need to book a ticket first at wrexhammuseum.wales. Timeslots are limited, so early booking is the best way to secure a preferred day and time.
Cllr Paul Roberts, lead member for museums, urged local people to act quickly. “I would encourage everyone who lives locally to book their tickets straight away, and come and be among the first to see your new museum,” he said. “There is so much to enjoy here and something for everyone, whether your interests lie in the football community or you are drawn to local history. The café overlooking the forecourt is a great place to rest during your visit.”
The museum’s website also lists upcoming events, family workshops and activities, along with the free ticket booking links.
Several funders made the project possible. The Welsh Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund both backed it. Further support came from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme and the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund. The Wolfson Foundation, the V&A Purchase Grant Fund and Wrexham County Borough Council also contributed.
For the latest news, follow the museum on social media. You can find it on Facebook at @FootballMuseumWales and @WrexhamMuseums, and on Instagram at @footballmuseumcymru and @wrexhammuseum. It is also on Bluesky at @footymuseumcymru and @wrexhammuseum, and on X at @FootyMuseumWal.
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