St James’ Park future will be 'decided in new year'

Newcastle United says it will make a decision on the future of St James’ Park early next year.

The long-term future of the 132-year-old base is in doubt, with club officials pondering whether to expand the existing stadium or explore options for alternative sites in the city.

The club has completed the first phase of a feasibility study, which is looking at the potential of expanding the existing 52,300-seater stadium or building a new ground.

In an update to members of the fan advisory board, Newcastle United’s chief operating officer Brad Miller admitted the study is ‘extremely complex’ and has now entered its second phase.

That will concentrate on more detailed analysis, to consider specific project-related risks, as the club seeks a balance between risk and opportunity for this ‘once-in-a-generation investment’, he said.

Newcastle United have played at St James’ Park in the city centre since 1892, and a move away for the traditional home for Geordies will be difficult for some supporters to stomach. 

It has gone under several transformations, and expanding the stadium would be the preferred option for most Newcastle fans, with manager Eddie Howe also indicating he would prefer to stay at the old home.

Ahead of last weekend’s fixtures, the Magpies' boss said moving away from St James’ would “feel like a betrayal”.

He said: “My natural instinct was always to stay.

“But we are well aware that, as a club, we need to increase our revenue.”

It is already estimated an expansion scheme to take the capacity to more than 60,000 would cost at least £1 billion - comparable to Tottenham Hotspur’s rebuilding of White Hart Lane, which is the Premier League’s biggest ground-building project.

Brad added: "This is an exciting, but extremely complex, project.

"We aren't quite at a decision-making stage yet, but we are targeting the early part of 2025 to complete the next essential tasks.

"We are challenging our appointed design team, and ourselves, to make sure our eventual chosen route delivers a fantastic fan experience - one that represents the fans, city, region and club, and aligns with the long-term ambitions of our ownership group.

"But it must provide an investable return, and not least deliver strong revenue growth to increase our PSR headroom, which, as everyone knows, means we can invest more in football."

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