Stadium

History of the stadium

Newcastle United’s stadium is St James’ Park and has been their home since the Toon were formed in 1892. But the stadium’s history actually predates that of the club’s. The ground opened back in 1880 with a practice match for Newcastle Rangers. While West End FC would call it their home from 1986.

Newcastle Rangers resided at the stadium after they moved north of the River Tyne in 1878 and held practice matches at the ground from 1880. Yet the club moved to Byker from 1882 until 1884. While West End FC moved into St James’ in 1886 before merging with East End to create Newcastle United.

St James’ Park has since been the home stadium of Newcastle United throughout the Toon’s history. While 1899 saw the Magpies begin their first major redevelopment project at the ground to increase its capacity to 30,000. Yet work was underway again in 1905 to take the spectator limit up to 60,000.

Newcastle sought major changes to St James’ Park during the 1920s

Newcastle sought to continue making major changes to St James’ Park during the 1920s as architect Archibald Leitch designed plans with all four stands covered. But planning disputes would plague the project and they installed just the one roof. It was not before 1953 that the Toon got to work again.

This time Newcastle erected floodlights around the ground and upgraded them again five years later with four 190ft pylons dominating the city’s skyline. But further problems with planning in the 1960s saw the Toon consider moving to a new home. Yet work began in 1972 on a new covered East Stand.

Relegation and a recession delayed further plans to redevelop St James’ before the Toon tore down the Edwardian structure that made up the West Stand in 1987. The Milburn Stand took its place with the name of Newcastle legend Jackie Milburn in 1988. It also featured a seated tier above a paddock.

But it was in the 1990s that Sir John Hall as chairman oversaw the largest redevelopment project at St James’. Newcastle rebuilt the Leazes End now named after their iconic executive and also filled in the corners. The changes also saw it host games for Euro 1996 after missing out for the 1966 World Cup.

Freddy Shepherd later oversaw further redevelopment from 1998 to 2000 which saw Newcastle take St James’ capacity up to 52,000. But ex-owner Mike Ashley selling Strawberry Place blocked the Toon from redeveloping the stadia again. Yet Newcastle bought Strawberry Place back in February 2023.

How to get to St James’ Park

Newcastle’s stadium, St James’ Park, has been the heart and soul of the city for years. It is also at the centre of the city, making getting to and from St James’ Park easy for Newcastle’s fans and those visiting the stadium. Supporters can also use multiple forms of public transport to get to the ground.

The stadia is around a 10-minute walk from Newcastle Central Station and a five-minute walk from Monument Metro Station. Bus stops are also in close proximity to St James’ Park, which is located on the junction of Gallowgate, St. James’ Boulevard and Barrack Road and has vast bicycle storage, too.

Fans wishing to get to St James’ Park by car must park away from the stadium as Newcastle’s home has no unreserved public parking on event days. The Toon offer supporters wanting to use private vehicles a park-and-ride system near the A1 from Newcastle Great Park and MetroCentre, though.

Stadium tour info

Newcastle have an array of options for fans wishing to attend a stadium tour at St James’ Park. The Magpies offer supporters the choice of a standard tour, a rooftop tour, group tours and an autism-friendly tour. Each tour can be bought online or on the day, provided there is space for walk-ups.

Fans attending a standard tour get access to the tunnel, home dressing room, media suite and one of the highest points of the stadium. While a rooftop tour provides a 150ft-high view over Tyneside and four viewing platforms before seeing the home dugout and getting the chance to get pitchside.

Newcastle do not run tours of St James’ Park on matchday, while fans can select from five time slots. The Magpies run standard tours at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30 and 14:30 but might also have further slots. While rooftop tours are on Saturdays and Sundays from April until October at 12:00 and 14:00.

Address:

St James’ Park: St James’ Park, Strawberry Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4ST