Newcastle United and Sunderland set for possible groundshare in stunning new claim

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Newcastle United’s future at St James’ Park will hopefully be decided very soon.

Stadium expansion has been a hot topic of debate ever since the change of ownership, and it emerged last year that PIF are considering building a new stadium.

Newcastle are set to make a decision in early 2025, with the club either set to build a completely new ground or renovate St James’ Park.

Either will cause problems. A new ground will not be universally loved, while the appetite for it will depend on the location. Alan Shearer says Newcastle must stay in the city centre if they are to move stadium, which most fans will agree with.

If the club decide to expand St James’ Park, there is the issue of where the team plays while the work is being done.

Newcastle United could play at the Stadium of Light

That could prove to be a major stumbling block.

When Tottenham Hotspur built their new stadium on top of where White Hart Lane was, they had the luxury of being able to play at Wembley.

But Newcastle do not have an opportunity like that up in the North East, which is why the Guardian’s Louise Taylor has made a rather staggering claim.

They report that Newcastle United would likely have to do a groundshare with rivals Sunderland and play at the Stadium of Light.

Taylor adds that there is ‘no realistic alternative’, even if the decision would be incredibly unpopular.

Newcastle and Sunderland would be against stadium share

It certainly would be unpopular. Toon fans do not want to play their home games at Sunderland every other week, while I cannot imagine that they would be too keen to host their biggest rivals – even if Sunderland did roll out the red carpet when Newcastle faced them in the FA Cup last season.

It would be hugely controversial, so much so that the chances of it actually happening are surely impossible.

This is not the first time this season that Louise Taylor has riled up Newcastle United fans. She was criticised for her questions about Sandro Tonali following the midfielder’s return from suspension, while she wrote in November that Jose Mourinho wants the Newcastle job, despite it not even being available.

Newcastle were baffled by the Mourinho story, and fans will feel the same about this Stadium of Light claim.