Newcastle United fans are eagerly awaiting to hear from the PIF regarding plans for a new stadium.
It is a decision that has been a long time coming and now Newcastle United fans may not have much longer to wait to learn the future of St James’ Park.
Plans have been proposed for a new state-of-the-art stadium just a stone’s throw away from the existing site, but it is expected to cost £1.2bn to complete.
PIF flew to Newcastle to look at stadium plans, where they were proposed three options. As well as the new stadium, Newcastle could expand St James’ Park to have a capacity of just over 60,000 – it would cost around £800m to do that.
PIF were also given a third stadium plan which involved giving St James’ Park a new makeover, it’s unknown whether this would hamper plans for a new stadium.
On Tuesday, Manchester United revealed plans for a brand new stadium which would be constructed on their existing site, with Old Trafford being demolished. With both teams eyeing new grounds, here is how Newcastle’s proposed plans compare to Man United’s.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Man United’s new stadium compared to Newcastle’s plans
The belief is that PIF want to build a new stadium for Newcastle with the promise being that matchday revenue would double compared to what is currently being forked in at St James’ Park.
Newcastle’s recent financial accounts were positive, posting £320m turnover, but club officials believe a new stadium would see that figure grow year-on-year.
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When recent plans were revealed, it stated that Newcastle’s new stadium’s capacity would be 70,000, making it one of England’s largest stadiums, overtaking the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.
However, the plans proposed by Man United would completely dwarf what Newcastle are looking to build, with their new ground expected to have a capacity of 100,000. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has previously stated that he wants Man United to have the ‘Wembley of the North’. The new ground would give them a bigger capacity than Wembley.
The plans also showed a walkway, much similar to Wembley Way with new buildings expected to be built around it. Their new stadium will also have a ‘vast umbrella’ over the stadium which will harvest rainwater and a new plaza which is expected to be “twice the size of Trafalgar Square” (The Guardian).
For Newcastle, there have been no plans to build anything similar to what Man United are planning to do but it has been confirmed that St James’ Park will be turned into a green space if it is knocked down.
Newcastle’s stadium decision is now even more important
Following Man United’s new stadium announcement, Newcastle fans will be eager to see what architects have come up with for the Magpies’ new ground. The Red Devils’ new ground will be a big money-spinner for them and the surrounding area which will undergo some serious renovation over the next few years.
The space around St James’ Park is a lot tighter, so there is less scope for a complete regeneration of the surrounding area but Newcastle officials are still confident that a new stadium would generate serious amounts of money for the club.
Newcastle fans feared PIF wouldn’t fund a new stadium, but those claims have since been debunked. CEO Darren Eales says PIF are 100% committed to Newcastle and whatever plan they choose for a new stadium.
Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is happy with Newcastle’s progress, with the Magpies continuing to grow in the commercial department each year. There are still several deals that can be made as well, with naming rights and a training kit sponsor still yet to be secured.