Fans enjoy first World Cup game at Wrexham city centre fanzones

Wales fans from across Wrexham headed to fanzones around the city centre last night, with a big screen set up on High Street for the first time.

Although the torrential rain meant many stayed inside the bars on High Street, many chose to brave the weather to enjoy live music and entertainment before kick off

With Ty Pawb being a warmer venue, hundreds of fans enjoyed food and drink – with some retailers selling out.

The fanzones had been created by Wrexham Council, and have been months in the planning.

Brilliant scenes in @TyPawb when Bale scored to make it 1-1 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @Wrexham pic.twitter.com/HljTqueRdE

— Alicia Grant (@sheesh_alicia) November 21, 2022

All eyes are now on Friday for Wales v Iran, and Tuesday next week with the big Wales v England game, with fanzone timings below:

25th November – Wales v Iran (K.O. 10am)
High St Fan Zone – English commentary (9.30am onwards. Free entry).

Tŷ Pawb Fan Zone – Welsh language commentary (9:30am onwards. Free entry)

29th November – Wales v England (K.O. 7pm)
High St Fan Zone – English commentary (5pm onwards. Free entry). Live music from The Big Beat, Tom Collins and DJ Tony Bear

Tŷ Pawb Fan Zone – Welsh language commentary (5pm onwards. Free entry). Live music from 1987tilpresent and Mei Emrys

A reminder the fanzones are free and you do not need tickets to attend – although there is a capacity. To ensure that this is a ‘friendly family event’ bag searches and security will be in place, and anyone intoxicated will not be allowed in. Any individuals who are acting in an anti-social manner or appear drunk or under the influence will be removed from the fanzone – and as the fanzone is the High Street, do not climb on any street furniture!

Toilets will be available to use inside the pubs and bars along with portable toilets located on High Street during the evening matches. The Henblas Street toilets will be opening for the morning match on Friday.

The Turf also had a large fanzone with Hollywood A-Lister landlord Wayne saying, “It’s been a long, wet & challenging day. You as always turned up on huge numbers to support us. I am so grateful and hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. A game of two halves and a massive point. Thank you Wrexham ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿”

St Giles was also lit up in celebration of the World Cup starting:

Lovely to see the Parish Church all lit up earlier @wrexham🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿😍🙌 pic.twitter.com/GLMAy4C02w

— Helen Bevan (@Helleyb) November 21, 2022

The Council Leader, some of his Executive Board and members of the local policing team were in and around the city centre absorbing the build up – and many stayed to view the match itself.