Newcastle ‘opting for’ new 65,000-seat stadium

Newcastle United has reportedly settled on a new-build approach to determine its stadium future, with a 65,000-seat facility being proposed.

The Premier League club is preparing to present its proposal to the UK Government, according to the Daily Mail, having decided that the redevelopment of St James’ Park from its current capacity of 52,300 to 60,300 would not be the best approach.

Newcastle United chairman, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, was last month said to have been presented with two potential stadium plans, as the club debated the merits of redeveloping St James’ Park or building a new venue from scratch.

Newcastle is currently in a “decision stage” for its stadium development plans, with the club having engaged CAA ICON to conduct a feasibility study of St James’ Park.

In November, the club’s chief operating officer, Brad Miller, revealed that a move away from St James’ Park was being “seriously” considered. It has been reported that Newcastle could face a bill of between £800m (€952.7m/$1.03bn) and £1bn should the club choose to remain at a redeveloped St James’ Park, versus circa £1.5bn for a new stadium.

The Mail said a new 65,000-seat stadium situated on the adjacent Leazes Park would allow Newcastle to continue playing games at St James’ whilst construction takes place. Miller and Newcastle CEO, Darren Eales, are said to have recommended that a new build would be the best approach to maximise revenue-generating ability and deliver on the goals of the club’s majority owners, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

KSS and Ryder Architecture are said to have been involved in the initial design process, with plans presented to club executives said to include a stadium façade akin to that of Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, and a parkland-style approach that would be Newcastle’s equivalent of Wembley Way.

The PIF has viewed expansion and improvement of St James’ Park as a key priority since purchasing Newcastle in October 2021.

Newcastle has yet to officially reveal any specific details regarding its plans, but Miller suggested in November that the club would be open to a move away from St James’ Park. Miller pointed to the “risks and opportunities” involved in redeveloping St James’ Park, which is among the bigger venues in the Premier League but is restricted by its proximity to residential areas.

St James’ Park will be a host venue at UEFA Euro 2028 but this could potentially be at risk depending on the club’s choice of direction for its stadium project.