Newcastle United are set to leave St James’ Park after 133 years and build a new 65,000-capacity stadium at Leazes Park, Daily Mail’s Craig Hope reported on Thursday.
The club is preparing to present its plans to the Government for approval, with the expectation that Downing Street will assist in cutting through any bureaucratic hurdles.
According to Hope, Newcastle’s Saudi owners were presented with the plans during a board summit last month, and chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is fully backing the project. The club had considered expanding St James’ Park to 60,300 seats but has now shelved that idea in favor of a new build, which is expected to generate higher revenue and help navigate Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules.
The proposed stadium will have a bubble-wrap-style exterior similar to Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena and will feature a parkland-style approach akin to Wembley Way. London architects KSS and Tyneside-based Ryder have contributed to the initial designs, which are described as “stunning.”
Hope reports that Newcastle chiefs initially explored a larger capacity, closer to 70,000, but opted for a more conservative figure to ensure consistent demand for tickets. Chief executive Darren Eales, who previously ran MLS club Atlanta United, has been cautious about overexpansion, Hope reports, having seen how managing capacity can maintain ticket demand by limiting the seats below the theoretical maximum.
The club’s next steps involve further discussions with local authorities and the Saudi Public Investment Fund before making a final decision and informing supporters.
The total cost and funding structure remain unknown, but the project is definitely the final clue about PIF’s commitment to Newcastle’s long-term future.