Newcastle stadium plans are even bigger than expected as PIF plan to smash UK record

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Newcastle United are going to have a world-class stadium regardless of what PIF decide to do.

A decision is yet to be made about the future of St James’ Park. Two options lay on the table for Newcastle United’s Saudi Arabian owners – to expand or to move.

Expanding St James’ Park will cost up to £1bn, with PIF planning to renovate, expand and add new facilities to the ground. The other option is to build an entirely new stadium nearby, likely in Leazes Park.

A new stadium is estimated to cost up to £3bn but would require an emotional farewell to St James’ Park, which is situated perfectly in the heart of Newcastle.

Newcastle chiefs have delayed the stadium decision until next year, despite initially informing fans that it would be made towards the end of 2024.

Once a decision is finalised, Newcastle fans can expect stadium work to begin in 2025.

St James’ Park expansion is bigger than expected

As it stands, St James’ Park has a capacity of 52,000 after its latest expansion in 1998. At the time, it made it the second-biggest club stadium in England behind only Old Trafford.

However, it has tumbled down to being the seventh-biggest and PIF want to expand capacity in whatever way possible.

Initially, reports suggested St James’ Park would be expanded to 60,000. However, it now seems that the scope has grown even bigger.

According to The Telegraph, an expansion project would increase Newcastle’s capacity to 65,000, taking it back to being the second-biggest club stadium in the country.

PIF plan to smash UK record with Gallowgate End

If PIF choose to expand rather than build elsewhere, then the project will be focused on redeveloping the Gallowgate End and the East Stand.

According to the same report as above, Newcastle want to make the Gallowgate End one of the biggest single-tier stands in European football.

READ MORE: Financial expert predicts PIF could hand Newcastle United a £200m PSR boost as 2025 decision looms

Ideally, they want to rival Borussia Dortmund’s ‘Yellow Wall’ which has a capacity of 25,000. Tottenham currently have the biggest single-tier stand in the UK with their newly-built South Stand holding 17,500.

A redeveloped Gallowgate End is expected to top that record and compete with the biggest in Europe.