Newcastle United’s board is reportedly considering plans to construct a new stadium next to St James’ Park. While St James’ Park, with its 52,000-seat capacity, remains one of the most iconic grounds in English football, the club’s billionaire ownership is considering a significant upgrade to meet growing ambitions.
Rather than expanding the existing stadium, the board is leaning towards building a new £1.2 billion home with a capacity just under 70,000. This would make it the second-largest club stadium in England, behind Manchester United’s Old Trafford, which holds 75,000. While no final decision has been made, momentum is reportedly growing in favor of the new development. The ultimate choice will rest with the majority stakeholders, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, once presented with both options.
The proposed stadium would be built using an “overlapping footprint,” allowing it to occupy the land where St James’ Park currently stands. This approach would avoid encroaching on Leazes Park, a protected Victorian-era green space behind the current stadium, simplifying negotiations with local councils and governing bodies.
Early designs suggest a bowl-shaped structure that would rise higher than the current ground, giving it a more imposing presence in the city’s skyline. If approved, Newcastle would join other Premier League clubs like Liverpool and Everton in modernizing their stadiums, reflecting the ongoing trend among top-tier English teams to enhance their facilities.
