Newcastle United’s Ambitious 65,000-Seater Stadium Plans Leak as CEO Discusses Future of St James’ Park

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Newcastle United are moving forward with plans to construct a new stadium, potentially relocating from St James’ Park.

Over the past two seasons, the club has conducted an extensive consultation process, exploring both the possibility of expanding St James’ Park to a capacity exceeding 60,000 and the prospect of building a state-of-the-art stadium elsewhere. However, logistical challenges make expanding St James’ Park difficult, while securing space for a new stadium within the city centre presents another obstacle.

Although Newcastle have yet to make an official decision, behind-the-scenes progress is being made. Following the club’s takeover, the initial stance was to remain at St James’ Park. However, over the past 18 months, that position has shifted, with a new stadium now understood to be the preferred option. Such a move would allow Newcastle to maximise revenue and better navigate the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

Elite 65,000-Capacity Stadium in the Works

According to Mail Online, Newcastle are planning to build a 65,000-capacity ‘super stadium’ at Leazes Park, creating a world-class football venue. The proposed location, situated behind the current St James’ Park site, would allow the club to retain its city-centre presence without disrupting matches at its existing home.

Notably, new stadium costs are not factored into Premier League financial regulations (PSR), meaning the club’s spending on the project would be at the discretion of its owners. Last month, Newcastle chairman and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan visited Tyneside for a board summit and is reportedly fully supportive of the new stadium project.

The proposed state-of-the-art stadium is expected to feature a "bubble-wrap-type" exterior, inspired by Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. The report also suggests Newcastle plan to present their stadium blueprint to the Government, with an expectation that the ambitious development will receive approval.

Awaiting Final Approval from PIF

While Al-Rumayyan is believed to back the project, Newcastle’s majority owners, PIF—who hold an 85% stake in the club—have yet to officially sign off on the plans. However, formal confirmation is anticipated once all parties reach an agreement.

CEO Darren Eales on the Future of Newcastle’s Stadium

Last week, Newcastle CEO Darren Eales addressed the speculation surrounding the club’s stadium plans, describing the process as ensuring “all our ducks in a row.”

“It's a huge decision for the club—something we’ve spoken about as a once-in-a-generation decision,” Eales said. “It’s something we want to get right.

"We've conducted initial feasibility studies, followed up on them, and discussed the matter with our ownership. We want to make sure we have everything in place before proceeding. We’ve said we will engage with supporters and the Fan Advisory Board. Ownership is eager to invest, but we must ensure it’s the right investment for the club, the city, and the wider region. This requires thorough due diligence and consultation with key stakeholders to align all interests.

“We aim to move forward in the near future, but I can’t provide further details at this stage. However, ongoing discussions demonstrate how seriously we are taking this decision, given its significance to Newcastle United’s long term future.”