Newcastle United are heading to the home of Scottish Rugby Union in August, but could it be the start of a run of fixtures at the 67,144 venue
A general view of Scottish Gas Murrayfield
A general view of Scottish Gas Murrayfield
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When Newcastle United announced they'd completed the purchase of a significant portion of the historic Leazes Terrace building, there was an insistence from club insiders that the move was all about increasing options when it comes to the club's stadium project.
Many fans see it as a move that leans into staying at St James' Park and creating an enhanced version of the much-loved venue.
Ask a lot of Newcastle fans, and they'll say the only option they want is to stay exactly where we are, and even the prospect of a new stadium won't appeal.
Swapping the magic of St James' for a soulless bowl is the nightmare scenario for many, although there remains an argument that the magic can still be transferred to a new venue.
Walk into most pubs and clubs on Tyneside, and you'll hear plenty of arguments for and against staying or going with the merits of a new venue and a profit-making machine that satisfies more season ticket holders, certain to be put forward.
But for all the debates on profit and corporate victories, the match day routine of fans, favourite watering holes, meeting points and even quick exit points to the Metro points back to staying put.
And for argument's sake, let's say Newcastle do choose to stay exactly where they are and go for a St James' Park renovation, what exactly would the price be for that?
When St James' Park was transformed from a crumbling row of terraces behind the Leazes End and Gallowgate End to the international class venue it is now, it was stage-managed perfectly.
Newcastle didn't need to move, and those who watched the club in the late 90s and early 2000s watched on as cranes and diggers were parked in the sky as Level 7 unfolded before our very eyes.
The highest price back then was to endure a soaking with no roof on the Leazes End and even the sight of a waterfall down the stairs during an infamous 2-1 loss to Sunderland in monsoon conditions.
A full renovation now would almost certainly be different, and a move to another stadium would surely be on the cards IF the club decide to go down that route.
When Spurs bulldozed the old White Hart Lane and built the magnificent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Tottenham fans had two years at Wembley. For the Londoners, it was hardly a major upheaval, but such an option doesn't really exist for Newcastle.
The club were quick to rubbish a temporary ground share with Sunderland in early 2025 when the suggestion was made it a national newspaper.
Middlesbrough's Riverside isn't big enough at just under 35,000 but is more than capable of hosting big international games like it did in 2021 when England's road show saw victories for the Three Lions against Austria and Romania no less.
Which brings us nicely on to the prospect of Murrayfield, the venue named this week for Newcastle's pre-season clash with Everton.
Is the choice of Edinburgh an experiment to see if it's feasible to stage some Newcastle games north of the border for a spell while St James' Park is being enhanced? Is it one of the 'options' that Newcastle are exploring as they look to cover all bases?
Edinburgh Waverley is just 90 minutes from Central Station by LNER, and if that is the price to pay for a new stadium, would you accept it for a season or so?
Would the club provide discounted or free buses up to Murrayfield for those who wanted them?
For some, it's not going to be practical, while others may counter that it's hardly going to be affordable as far as train fares are concerned, and hotel prices may also be an issue.
The pros would be that extra tickets would become available for 'home' fans at the 67,144 capacity venue, and the prospect of a day out or two in the Scottish capital.
But let's say it was ONE Premier League season, that would only be 19 top-flight games with potential cup games. Could we live with that vs losing St James' Park's current location on Barrack Road forever?
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