Newcastle's Chief Operating Officer reveals that a decision on the stadium's future is "imminent"—and does not rule out leaving St. James' Park, a venue in use since 1880.

Redevelopment or a new stadium?

Newcastle United is preparing to write a one-of-a-kind check to resolve the dilemma of expanding St. James' Park. The final decision on the next steps is now truly, truly imminent. Newcastle's new Chief Operating Officer, Brad Miller, assured that the club is in the final stage of decision-making regarding the stadium's modernization project.

This is a clear signal that the owners are determined to invest substantial sums either in redeveloping St. James' Park or building a completely new stadium elsewhere in the city. Miller, who was appointed in June, stated that the management is working through the final few questions that have been raised. A comprehensive feasibility study is underway, examining both a significant expansion of St. James' Park and the option of constructing a new facility, as well as its potential future impact on Newcastle.

In his first major interview, Miller, who will oversee various infrastructure projects, explained that his decision to join Newcastle was based on the club's infrastructure plans, which were presented to him before he took the job. The stadium project remains at the forefront of off-pitch priorities for Newcastle, following research initiated in 2022 to determine the next steps. Now, the final decision appears closer than ever.

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Darren [Eales, Chief Executive Officer] has already openly said, 'Look, it's coming soon,' but it's really about the next steps and the direction we will take, Miller said, citing the opening of the fan zone, Stack, at St. James' Park as evidence of the club's commitment to infrastructure projects. We have a lot to think about, which is why—though it may be frustrating for some—we are taking the time to ensure our next steps are the right ones.

Miller also mentioned discussions with fans to gauge their feelings about potentially moving from St. James' Park. Several sources indicate that the club favors modernizing and expanding the current stadium, but significant planning challenges must be addressed, as the venue is surrounded by historic buildings. However, Miller declined to confirm whether any option has been ruled out at this stage. The cost of constructing a new stadium in alternative locations is also part of the feasibility study to explore what's possible.

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A costly dream

Industry experts have suggested that finalizing the project could cost billions of pounds. HKS, the firm behind the construction of the £4.8 billion SoFi Stadium, held talks with Newcastle earlier this year. According to its representatives, an innovative solution to Newcastle's challenges is feasible but will come at a high cost.

The club is expected to provide further updates on the stadium's future before autumn. The club's board has been regularly briefed on the feasibility study's findings, but any further action must be approved by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), the club's majority owner, which will also need to decide how to finance the investment.

While PIF has the resources to cover any future expenses, its methodical approach means this will not be a vanity project. The impact on future revenue is the primary factor being considered before making a final decision. HKS Director Alex Thomas acknowledged that building a new stadium would be a much simpler undertaking, even if the initial cost would be staggering.

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Careful planning

One reason the stadium issue is so significant is that it comes at a time when the club is at a crossroads, with fans looking for evidence of the owners' intentions. Although Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) have recently limited the club's ability to bolster the squad, infrastructure remains an area where spending is still unrestricted.

Miller explained that there are also practical reasons for Newcastle's thorough due diligence on the stadium, which has stretched into a second year and may take a few more weeks. With any large investment and project, 80% of the total value is created in the first 20% of the project lifecycle. We also want to continue investing as much as possible to support the sporting side of the club, so we have to consider revenue and commercial aspects as well.