Newcastle United will be left with a bill of around £1 billion if they push ahead with a proposal to expand and rebuild St James’ Park.
Although the club continue to insist they have not made a final decision on whether to improve their existing stadium, or move to a new purpose built site elsewhere in the city, Telegraph Sport understands detailed architectural plans for the expansion of St James’ Park have been drawn up and studied.
Those plans have focused on the expansion and redevelopment of both the East Stand and the Gallowgate End, with the capacity of the stadium rising to more than 60,000 if the work goes ahead.
There is also believed to be scope to modernise both the Milburn Stand and the Leazes End, which were built more than 20 years ago. The estimated cost is between £800 million and £1 billion, depending on the final details of the project.
As revealed earlier this year, Newcastle will need to extend the leasehold on St James’ Park, which expires in 70 years, if they agree to stay put.
Newcastle have repeatedly insisted any decision will be discussed with the club’s fan advisory board before it is announced and rejected the idea that a decision has already been made in private.
A club spokesman said: “It would be wrong to say a decision has been made. All options remain on the table.”
The alternative option is to build an entirely new stadium, with the land currently occupied by Leazes Park earmarked.
The park is adjacent to St James’ Park and would mean the club could remain in the city centre. Other sites, though, could come into play if Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment fund decide it wants an entirely new, purpose-built stadium as part of their long term vision for the future of the club. As things stand, PIF has not signed off on either project and are still considering all the options available.
The cost of a new stadium is thought to be far more expensive, though, with an estimated bill of between £2 billion-£3 billion. The project would almost certainly face a series of legal challenges from those who wish to protect the green space in the heart of the city, which is likely to delay the start of construction even further.
Supporters have become frustrated with the slow progress being made on the stadium project as the three-year anniversary approaches of the takeover led by majority stakeholders PIF.
Manchester United’s stadium plans are under way as Sir Jim Ratcliffe eyes a “Wembley of the North”, while Leeds United have also confirmed they intend to rebuild Elland Road and dramatically increase the capacity which would exceed St James’ Park in its current form.
Sources have stressed to Telegraph Sport the delay in announcing a decision on Newcastle’s stadium plan is caused by the fact they want to make sure they get the decision right and that any project would deliver in a suitable period of time.
Newcastle is one of the host cities for Euro 2028 and work on the rebuild of St James’ Park would have to start sometime next year – if this is the option the board decide to take – in order to be ready to help host the tournament.
In theory, Newcastle could decide to remove themselves as a host stadium if it gets in the way of their plans.
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Newcastle United will be left with a bill of around £1 billion if they push ahead with a proposal to expand and rebuild St James’ Park.
Although the club continue to insist they have not made a final decision on whether to improve their existing stadium, or move to a new purpose built site elsewhere in the city, Telegraph Sport understands detailed architectural plans for the expansion of St James’ Park have been drawn up and studied.
Those plans have focused on the expansion and redevelopment of both the East Stand and the Gallowgate End, with the capacity of the stadium rising to more than 60,000 if the work goes ahead.
There is also believed to be scope to modernise both the Milburn Stand and the Leazes End, which were built more than 20 years ago. The estimated cost is between £800 million and £1 billion, depending on the final details of the project.
As revealed earlier this year, Newcastle will need to extend the leasehold on St James’ Park, which expires in 70 years, if they agree to stay put.
Newcastle have repeatedly insisted any decision will be discussed with the club’s fan advisory board before it is announced and rejected the idea that a decision has already been made in private.
A club spokesman said: “It would be wrong to say a decision has been made. All options remain on the table.”
The alternative option is to build an entirely new stadium, with the land currently occupied by Leazes Park earmarked.
The park is adjacent to St James’ Park and would mean the club could remain in the city centre. Other sites, though, could come into play if Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment fund decide it wants an entirely new, purpose-built stadium as part of their long term vision for the future of the club. As things stand, PIF has not signed off on either project and are still considering all the options available.
The cost of a new stadium is thought to be far more expensive, though, with an estimated bill of between £2 billion-£3 billion. The project would almost certainly face a series of legal challenges from those who wish to protect the green space in the heart of the city, which is likely to delay the start of construction even further.
Supporters have become frustrated with the slow progress being made on the stadium project as the three-year anniversary approaches of the takeover led by majority stakeholders PIF.
Manchester United’s stadium plans are under way as Sir Jim Ratcliffe eyes a “Wembley of the North”, while Leeds United have also confirmed they intend to rebuild Elland Road and dramatically increase the capacity which would exceed St James’ Park in its current form.
Sources have stressed to Telegraph Sport the delay in announcing a decision on Newcastle’s stadium plan is caused by the fact they want to make sure they get the decision right and that any project would deliver in a suitable period of time.
Newcastle is one of the host cities for Euro 2028 and work on the rebuild of St James’ Park would have to start sometime next year – if this is the option the board decide to take – in order to be ready to help host the tournament.
In theory, Newcastle could decide to remove themselves as a host stadium if it gets in the way of their plans.
Fuck me. Thats quite the bill.