New stadium for Newcastle is live option

Newcastle United are seriously considering the option of building a new stadium close to their current home or carrying out a renovation of St James’ Park, according to the club’s chief operating officer (COO) Brad Miller.

The Athletic said Miller has given the strongest indication yet that relocation is a live option, and that he believes a new stadium could have twice the earning potential and scope for significantly greater capacity.

Last year, the Premier League club commissioned an in-depth report into the possibilities of extending the present ground, while also looking at alternative sites for a new purpose-built stadium.

The first phase of the process has been completed and a decision could be reached early in 2025. Fans are being consulted on the proposals.

Newcastle’s preference has always been to remain at their historic home but – as revealed by Miller last month – the study has identified “risks” around expanding on the current site, one of which relates to the complexities of building out the Gallowgate End, which is situated close to the nearby St James’ Metro station.

Expanding St James’ Park is also thwarted by the stadium’s city centre location close to listed buildings and the Leazes Conservation Area.

The ground currently has a seating capacity of 52,305 and is the eighth largest football stadium in England. It has been home to Newcastle United F.C. since 1892.

The club plans for any new stadium to have a capacity in excess of 60,000, meaning an 8,000+ expansion would be required in order to remain at St James’ Park.

Speaking at a “We Are United” fan event Miller said, “It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Do we invest and transform St James’ as we see it today on the site where we are? Or do we take that bold move and think about moving?

“We want to make sure it is a very robust process. So regardless of the outcome, I want to stand up in front of everybody throughout the process and say, ‘This is why it is a logical decision, with long-term competitiveness in mind.’

“Because as you have heard a lot, it is all about revenue and PSR (the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules). We have to work hard to make sure we give as much money as possible to Paul (Mitchell) and the football side in order to remain competitive on the field.

“In terms of next steps, we are coming towards the end of the next stage, the briefing stage. There are a lot of risks and opportunities at St James’. We have to take time to dig into those and make sure we’ve got the devil in the detail — in terms of the programme, how long it will take and what it will do for us in terms of revenue.”

The Athletic further stated that an alternative site for a new stadium was not specified, but a move to nearby Leazes Park is a reported option, though that will be controversial and may face challenges, given it is a protected green space.

Miller added, “We have also taken the opportunity to look at what will a new stadium look like. It’s not comparing apples with apples, they are not like for like. It’s comparing apples with pears.

“The brilliant thing about St James’ is it is in an iconic location, the atmosphere and the competitive edge it gives the team on the pitch, and it has 52,000 seats already.

“But a new stadium doesn’t have that and we’d have to pay for all those seats again. A new stadium has the potential to earn a lot more, both on matchdays and non-matchdays, a bit like STACK (fan zone). It is giving us an indication that we can actually contribute even more to the football club and football side if we had a new stadium.”