The final decision has yet to be made and rests with the main stakeholder, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The fund is considering two options: a major redevelopment of St James’ Park or the construction of a new stadium. However, support for the latter option is steadily growing.

Minimal impact on green spaces

According to Telegraph Sport, club officials are increasingly leaning towards recommending to Newcastle’s Saudi owners that the best expansion option is to build a brand-new, £1.2 billion stadium with a capacity close to 70,000. This ambitious project would make Newcastle’s home the second-largest club stadium in England.

The new stadium would be partially built on the current St James’ Park site, meaning only a small section of Leazes Park—a historic Victorian park—would be affected. This approach is expected to facilitate approval from local authorities and residents. One proposed solution involves creating a new green space nearby to compensate for any loss of parkland. Additionally, the club is planning a commercial, business, and leisure complex in the Strawberry Place area, where the current Stack fan zone is located.

Initially, the new stadium was expected to occupy the entire Leazes Park area, a proposal unlikely to gain approval due to the park’s protected status. While most of the park will remain untouched, the project will still require a lengthy and complex planning approval process.

© Mark Walker | St. James’ Park

What could Newcastle’s new stadium look like?

Sources describe the proposed location as a diagonal shift from the current St James’ Park, allowing the club to avoid issues related to nearby historic buildings. The stadium would be just a 5–10 minute walk from the existing Gallowgate End, ensuring Newcastle retains its iconic city-center location.

As part of the redevelopment, a multi-story car park near the Leazes End stand would be demolished, while the street behind the Milburn Stand would remain unchanged. According to Telegraph Sport, the new stadium would have a bowl-shaped design and be taller than the current St James’ Park, making it an even more dominant feature of Newcastle’s skyline.

Stay or relocate during construction?

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One possibility is that Newcastle could continue playing at St James’ Park while the new stadium is built. However, the logistics of this remain uncertain—temporary relocation to another venue may be necessary, or the existing stadium’s capacity could be reduced during construction.

Finding a suitable alternative stadium is a major challenge. Moving games to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light is not an option due to security concerns, leaving Edinburgh’s Murrayfield as the only realistic alternative. The current timeline suggests the new stadium could be completed in six to seven years, meaning Newcastle could play there at the start of the 2031/32 season.

© Mark Walker | St. James’ Park

Redeveloping St James’ Park is still an option

PIF may ultimately decide against a new stadium, given the enormous costs, opposition from some fans to leaving St James’ Park, and the risk of legal challenges delaying the project. As a result, the option to redevelop and expand St James’ Park remains on the table. This renovation would cost an estimated £600–800 million—roughly half the price of a new stadium.

A redeveloped St James’ Park with a new Gallowgate End stand could accommodate over 60,000 fans, which many see as sufficient. The key advantage would be that Newcastle could continue playing at their historic home throughout the construction process, and the project could be completed more quickly. However, this option would leave the East Stand largely unchanged, creating a stadium with three large stands and one smaller stand—similar to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

The final decision will be made after both proposals are presented to fans and PIF, which holds the ultimate authority. Newcastle United has declined to comment on specific details, stating that it is too early to confirm any decision and that all options remain on the table.