Newcastle United have recently announced the appointment of David Hopkinson as the club’s new CEO, succeeding Darren Eales.
The Magpies look to be onto a winner with this one, a top-class chief who has worked with some of the most famous sports groups in the World.
Newcastle United have announced the arrival of David Hopkinson, who was most recently part of the Madison Square Garden group, but also spent years at Real Madrid and the Maple Leaf Sports group.
Club chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan believes Hopkinson can take Newcastle to the next level, expanding on the hard work put in by Darren Eales over the last three years.
Additionally, Hopkinson believes magic can be made at Newcastle, something he has told close friends since taking the role. Now, Hopkinson has made another claim which fans will absolutely love.
A shot of a corner flag before a Premier League game between Newcastle United and Leicester City.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
David Hopkinson says he wanted a role like Newcastle United all his career
While the bright lights of the Vegas Sphere and sports events in New York are one thing, Hopkinson will be engrossed in a completely different environment at Newcastle, perhaps one he has never been exposed to before.
There is a lot of work to do on Tyneside for Hopkinson, with a decision on stadium plans still unknown by fans and major sponsorship deals yet to be had. The Canadian will spearhead those developments and get the absolute most out of them.
Now, Hopkinson has claimed that he has been hoping for a role like Newcastle all of his life, one that he can really sink his teeth into.
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We are delighted to announce the appointment of David Hopkinson as
the club’s new Chief Executive Officer 🤝
Welcome to Newcastle United, David! ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/hvazVk0vq0
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) September 4, 2025
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“This is a magical place, we’re at St. James’ Park, we’re on the pitch where legends have played,” he said during his first day video on newcastleunited.com.
“We’ve got the stands here that have been filled with fans who are mad about this team, so there’s such an incredible starting place.
“We’re starting from such a high place – but we’ve also got this moment of potential transformation as we get ready to play on the biggest stages imaginable, higher ambitions than maybe we have had at different points in the club’s history.
“Being part of this moment is where I think there’s opportunity for even more magic.
“I’ve spent my entire career trying to take on a role just like this, so it feels great.
“I get energised about big opportunities – big, global opportunities – and I think that there’s an ambition that we are unlocking here at Newcastle to take an even bigger role on a global stage, in the global game.
“That’s energising. That’s exciting.”
What could David Hopkinson’s first major decision at Newcastle United be?
Newcastle announced a turnover of £320m in March, but it will be around two years before fans will see Hopkinson’s true influence on the financials.
In the meantime, Newcastle fans will see the final efforts of Darren Eales, who exceeded expectations on Tyneside.
Hopkinson is here to take Newcastle to the next level, and the 54-year-old could soon make an announcement which could divide the fans. Newcastle could be moved into a new 70,000-seater stadium; it is just a case of the announcement, and then work will get underway to bring the new ground to life.
Newcastle’s new contract with St James’ STACK earlier in 2025, with the expiry due in 2031. Coincidentally, that is the same year the Magpies’ new ground was estimated to finish.
Perhaps a decision has already been made, and Hopkinson is just the face for it.