Newcastle United fans are eagerly awaiting a decision on the future of St James’ Park.
It’s a decision that has split the fanbase, do Newcastle United stay at the historic St James’ Park, or do they knock it down and build a new state-of-the-art stadium just a stone’s throw away?
Recent reports revealed plans to build Newcastle a new stadium in Leazes Park which is situated just behind the existing ground. The plans shared two potential options that considered the new stadium and expanding St James’ Park. The belief is that the existing site can be expanded to just over 60,000 but a new stadium would see the capacity increase to around 70,000.
Additionally, a new stadium would cost Newcastle 1.2bn instead of the 3bn that was originally reported. Expanding St James’ Park would cost Newcastle £800m. The PIF have a big decision to make in what is a defining moment in their reign.
On Monday, Everton fans got a glimpse of their new stadium in a test event which saw the under-18s play in a historic game. 10,000 lucky fans got to attend and soak in the new environment – Newcastle fans made their feelings about the Toffees’ new ground clear on social media.
Newcastle fans react to Everton’s new stadium
Everton’s new ground, The Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, will be in full working capacity for the start of the 2025/26 season. The stadium has a capacity of 52,888, which is more than St James’ Park and took four years to build.
On Tuesday, Newcastle World reporter Charlie Bennett asked Toon fans their opinion on Everton’s new stadium.
The replies were flooded with mixed opinions – mostly negative.
“I don’t particularly like it. I don’t hate it. I don’t dislike it. I think we (if we are going to move) can do something better,” said one fan. While another added: “It looks very American..? Not sure how avoidable that is with this new generation of super stadiums.”
This Newcastle fan highlighted its interior, saying: “It looks amazing from the outside, but kind of “cookie cutter” on the inside. I would have done more with the colour scheme on the seats. Very corporate and sterile. I hope Newcastle’s new home is far more original.”
“Glass panels at the back seem pointless, space for a thousand or so more seats surely?” said this conscious Newcastle fan.
This Newcastle fan added: “Looks a bit like Schalke on the inside. Proof will be in how it looks when we actually go there next season but from what I’ve seen it seems decent.”
Finally, this fan said: “I prefer St James to this, it’s too boring and too small for Newcastle, we need around 70-80k. I guarantee if we get a new stadium it will be ten times more impressive than this, and one of the best in the world.”
Newcastle fans make a good point about Everton’s stadium
A decision on a new stadium is expected before the end of the season. It was revealed that the PIF will be in Newcastle for the game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday where they could make their final choice.
The fans who have voiced their opinions are right to point out the difference in the size of Everton’s new ground in comparison to what has been proposed for Newcastle – they expect much bigger.
Although a new stadium means more cost, it also means more revenue in the future. Newcastle’s fans will follow them wherever they go. If it’s in a new stadium, it just means there will be even more Newcastle fans to support them.
Simon Jordan encouraged Newcastle to leave St James’ Park but admitted that ‘traditional’ fans would not be happy with the decision. Newcastle may now just be weeks away from learning one of the biggest decisions in the club’s history.
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