More changes are happening at Newcastle United following the new crest and St James’ Park logo announcements.
Newcastle United have officially announced the release of a new version of the iconic local anthem, The Blaydon Races.
The new version of the song will make its matchday debut at St James’ Park ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Aston Villa. It will be accompanied by a pre-match performance from local artist Hector Gannet.
The latest revamp follows the announcement of the club’s new refined crest and a rebrand of St James’ Park, including a new stadium logo.
The Newcastle United fans unveil a banner worded 'Matty Jaissle's Black and White Army' during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and AFC Bournemouth at St James' Park on September 05, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
The Newcastle United fans unveil a banner worded 'Matty Jaissle's Black and White Army' during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and AFC Bournemouth at St James' Park on September 05, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A club statement described The Blaydon Races as ‘a cornerstone of the matchday experience at St. James' Park for decades, The Blaydon Races is a symbol of North East identity and a song cherished by fans around the world’.
Last season, the club made the decision to scrap Local Hero as the club’s walkout song before later reintroducing it once again. Other songs played before kick-off include Hey Jude by The Beatles and, on special occasions, Thunderstruck by AC/DC.
But Blaydon Races has been a mainstay in the matchday playlist as a local anthem chanted by supporters.
The club have aimed to preserve the song’s 160-year legacy while strengthening its impact inside the stadium with this new version. The Blaydon Races by Newcastle United and Hector Gannet can be heard online before Saturday’s match on the club’s official YouTube channel and all major streaming platforms.
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Newcastle United chief on The Blaydon Races
Newcastle’s chief marketing officer Steven Taylor, who also worked on the redesigned club crest, said: ““The crest and The Blaydon Races are two of the most powerful expressions of what Newcastle United means to our fans.
“They carry our history, our culture and the emotions that connect generations of supporters to this club and this city.
“Following this month’s crest launch, this is another opportunity to celebrate the heritage and traditions that make Newcastle United unique. Our ambition is to bring these stories to life in ways that feel authentic, deepen the connection with those who have supported the club for generations, and introduce the spirit and culture of Newcastle United to new audiences at home and around the world.”
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‘It’s part of our identity’
Hector Gannet frontman Aaron Duff added: “Blaydon Races belongs to the region, to every person that has sung it with passion and love for their home, their team, their family.
“It’s part of our identity; our past, present and future. We have a duty to celebrate our heritage, to preserve it, to pay it forward and ensure that those words are sung with pride for generations to come.
“It’s a song that we all have a connection to, it takes us to a time and a place, unique to our own lives. During recording I put everything into it, I was thinking about my son, my Mam and Dad and all the family and friends at home, and all those we’ve lost along the way too, I can almost hear their voices, like they’re with us when we sing this.”
What is The Blaydon Races?
The Blaydon Races was written by local entertainer Georgie ‘Geordie’ Ridley in 1862 and tells the story of a group of Geordies travelling from Newcastle via Scotswood Road to see the horse races roughly six miles away in Blaydon.
The song captures the humour, working-class culture and community spirit of Victorian Tyneside and its legacy lives on through the song still being chanted and played at Newcastle United matches today.
The song also inspired the annual road-running event called the Blaydon Race, which has taken place annually on June 9 since 1981.