St James' Park

[Whitley mag]

As I understand there’s a healthy waiting list of a number of years for executive boxes that would warrant an increase in facilities in this area.

 

The individual match by match hospitality is complete overkill when you consider the Platinum and Bar1892 take up the majority of the Milburn Stand in the lower bowl. I can’t think of many other clubs that have a complete side of the ground set aside at premium seating prices.

 

They’ve absolutely ripped the heart out of the Leazes End with premium seating and the product is poor value.

 

I think if they try and push the price point any further on  both general seating and match by match premium seating next season, they’re going to end up with a fair few empty seats. 

[Nucasol]

PIF’s sloth-pace confirmed by the gaffer.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgexw48p3v1o
 

Head coach Eddie Howe says Newcastle United's stadium and training ground plans are "in limbo" and there is a "99.9% chance" he will not be in charge to see them realised.

 

Although Newcastle continue to explore the possibility of expanding St James', or building a new stadium elsewhere in the city, CEO David Hopkinson has admitted the club will play at the ground in its current guise for "many years".

 

Work is ongoing to effectively double the footprint of their existing training ground at Benton, but the hierarchy recognise a new state-of-the-art base will ultimately be needed elsewhere because of the site's limitations.

 

Howe has his hands full with on-the-field matters, as he looks to take 11th-placed Newcastle up the table, but infrastructure was at the forefront of his mind when he was asked how the club can move forward in 2026 and beyond.

 

"Fundamentally, looking at the club with a broader view, the training ground, the stadium, that part of the club is in limbo at the moment," he said.

 

"In terms of which direction the club is going to take, that would be a big step forward to get clarity on that and to take everything into the future in a really positive way.

 

"It would have a game-changing effect on everything. I am also talking about the academy in that and the brilliant work that goes on down there.

 

"If we can move everything forward in terms of facilities - not that I believe facilities are the be all and end all - but they are a great way of setting standards higher and showing your ambition in a really clear and strong way."

 

St James' was once the second-biggest club stadium in the country, behind Old Trafford, but Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, West Ham United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Evertonhave all since leapfrogged Newcastle's 52,335-seater ground in terms of capacity.

In that time, a huge revenue gap has opened up between the established order and Newcastle, with Manchester Unitedgenerating £87m more in match-day income and £219.3m more in commercial income in 2023-24.

 

Newcastle's training ground has been modernised in recent years, including hydrotherapy and plunge pools, a new canteen, a players' lounge and bigger dressing rooms - but it remains some way off the best in the country.

Howe was keen to stress that the "ambition is there from everyone to make that happen".

 

But the Newcastle head coach said there needs to be a "bit of patience" with the club's infrastructure plans to "make sure it's the right solution for everybody".

 

He added: "If there is extra time taken to make the right decisions so the stadium project is correct, and it's the right one for Newcastle for how ever many years the club are there, then take the extra time.

 

"It's the same with the training ground. You need the right site and designs. I would rather it was correct than rushed.

 

"I know that there's a 99.9% chance that I'm not going to see either in my position, but I'm still passionate about making sure it's there for the future generations of Newcastle, whether that's supporters or players."

[JT24]

4 minutes ago, Nucasol said:

PIF’s sloth-pace confirmed by the gaffer.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgexw48p3v1o
 

Head coach Eddie Howe says Newcastle United's stadium and training ground plans are "in limbo" and there is a "99.9% chance" he will not be in charge to see them realised.

 

Although Newcastle continue to explore the possibility of expanding St James', or building a new stadium elsewhere in the city, CEO David Hopkinson has admitted the club will play at the ground in its current guise for "many years".

 

Work is ongoing to effectively double the footprint of their existing training ground at Benton, but the hierarchy recognise a new state-of-the-art base will ultimately be needed elsewhere because of the site's limitations.

 

Howe has his hands full with on-the-field matters, as he looks to take 11th-placed Newcastle up the table, but infrastructure was at the forefront of his mind when he was asked how the club can move forward in 2026 and beyond.

 

"Fundamentally, looking at the club with a broader view, the training ground, the stadium, that part of the club is in limbo at the moment," he said.

 

"In terms of which direction the club is going to take, that would be a big step forward to get clarity on that and to take everything into the future in a really positive way.

 

"It would have a game-changing effect on everything. I am also talking about the academy in that and the brilliant work that goes on down there.

 

"If we can move everything forward in terms of facilities - not that I believe facilities are the be all and end all - but they are a great way of setting standards higher and showing your ambition in a really clear and strong way."

 

St James' was once the second-biggest club stadium in the country, behind Old Trafford, but Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, West Ham United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Evertonhave all since leapfrogged Newcastle's 52,335-seater ground in terms of capacity.

In that time, a huge revenue gap has opened up between the established order and Newcastle, with Manchester Unitedgenerating £87m more in match-day income and £219.3m more in commercial income in 2023-24.

 

Newcastle's training ground has been modernised in recent years, including hydrotherapy and plunge pools, a new canteen, a players' lounge and bigger dressing rooms - but it remains some way off the best in the country.

Howe was keen to stress that the "ambition is there from everyone to make that happen".

 

But the Newcastle head coach said there needs to be a "bit of patience" with the club's infrastructure plans to "make sure it's the right solution for everybody".

 

He added: "If there is extra time taken to make the right decisions so the stadium project is correct, and it's the right one for Newcastle for how ever many years the club are there, then take the extra time.

 

"It's the same with the training ground. You need the right site and designs. I would rather it was correct than rushed.

 

"I know that there's a 99.9% chance that I'm not going to see either in my position, but I'm still passionate about making sure it's there for the future generations of Newcastle, whether that's supporters or players."

He’s just like me

[Lotus]

There’s going to be a lot of copium in this thread…

[Lucky]

Comment like that reminds me of Championship Manager 02/03 where you could get sacked for putting in a stadium expansion request and giving an ultimatum if they turned it down ☺️

[bobbydazzla]

That’s a blatant “come and get me” plea from Eddie to clubs who have modern stadiums and training facilities 

 

Worrying 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2025 by bobbydazzla

[Wallsendmag]

14 hours ago, bobbydazzla said:

I was right in front of Wings for Fulham 1/4 final and was surprised to see it was shut for a relatively high profile night game not long before Xmas, which you’d imagine would be a decent time of year for a corporate doo.

 

The prices they charge for the quality of hospitality facilities is just way too much. 
 

It’s hardly a surprise that there’s loads of the hospitality seats available for every game. You’ve got to have some pulling power for tickets at £300+ and we have neither the team or the fan demographic to justify that. 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate is always going to be far less popular for midweek matches compared to weekend matches for obvious reasons.

[Vedder]

According to the bloke running the stadium tour recently, we have a lot of demand for the directors boxes. But I don’t think our lower hospitality options are up to scratch, the offsite packages in particular. 
 

But the only way we’d ever maximise the hospitality potential of a new stadium is if spending rules were lifted. I think the Saudi’s are seeing the limitations of our ability to generate income because of this. They don’t want to put billions into something that will only ever be 7th best in the league. 

[Keegans Export]

8 minutes ago, Vedder said:

According to the bloke running the stadium tour recently, we have a lot of demand for the directors boxes. But I don’t think our lower hospitality options are up to scratch, the offsite packages in particular. 
 

But the only way we’d ever maximise the hospitality potential of a new stadium is if spending rules were lifted. I think the Saudi’s are seeing the limitations of our ability to generate income because of this. They don’t want to put billions into something that will only ever be 7th best in the league. 

They own the club and if that is their analysis then fair enough. This season has been disappointing so far but there's no denying there's been a hell of a lot more good than bad over the past four years and if the best we can do is competing for European qualification and being competitive in the domestic cups then I'm absolutely fine with that.

 

However all I would ask is, and I really can't stress this enough...

 

STOP PUBLICLY SAYING YOU WANT TO BE THE BEST CLUB IN THE WORLD

 

It either makes you look ignorant or like you're taking fans for idiots.

[TheBrownBottle]

43 minutes ago, Vedder said:

According to the bloke running the stadium tour recently, we have a lot of demand for the directors boxes. But I don’t think our lower hospitality options are up to scratch, the offsite packages in particular. 
 

But the only way we’d ever maximise the hospitality potential of a new stadium is if spending rules were lifted. I think the Saudi’s are seeing the limitations of our ability to generate income because of this. They don’t want to put billions into something that will only ever be 7th best in the league. 

I don’t think they ever intended to spend billions in any case - KSA isn’t Abu Dhabi or Qatar.  They almost certainly would’ve spent more than they have without the constraints of PSR, but given that they haven’t even maximised what they can do in the current set-up I seriously doubt they would have thrown serious wedge at it.  Why would they even have needed co-investors in the first place?

[Wallsendmag]

Forest announce plans to the the City Ground over 50,000;

 

Nottingham Forest is delighted to confirm the submission of planning applications for the redevelopment of the City Ground.

Our home for over 120 years will see a significant investment made by our owner, Evangelos Marinakis, to deliver a sustainable and iconic design which increases the stadium’s capacity to over 50,000. The redevelopment will be an integral part of the economic growth of the city and the wider region.

The Club is grateful for the positive public engagement and overwhelming support shown for our proposals ahead of the planning submission. We would also like to thank to our key partners, Gleeds, KSS Design Group, Buro Happold, and Savills for their support to date.

We look forward to working with the Mayor of the East Midlands, Rushcliffe Borough Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, as well as our supporters and the wider community, to achieve a successful outcome in the near future.

[Dr.Spaceman]

That'll look daft in the Championship

[Wallsendmag]

7 minutes ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

That'll look daft in the Championship

 

Not as daft as West Ham 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

West Ham looks daft in any league. 

[Miggys First Goal]

We can’t even make a decision whether to tart up the old place or build a new one. 

[OverThere]

PIF couldn't make a decision if it's life depended on it. Pathetically slow.

[Kimbo]

I think the decision is to put both ideas on the shelf.

[Stifler]

19 hours ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

That'll look daft in the Championship

Just sell upper tier tickets for £10.

You’ll not make much in ticket sales, but you’ll make it in food and drink sales.

[Yorkie]

I think the decision is to withhold saying anything publicly about their obvious preference to build a new ground until certain things out of their control (i.e. land availability) is resolved. Or can't be resolved, in which case they improve SJP.

[Stifler]

9 minutes ago, Yorkie said:

I think the decision is to withhold saying anything publicly about their obvious preference to build a new ground until certain things out of their control (i.e. land availability) is resolved. Or can't be resolved, in which case they improve SJP.

I think this is it. They want all their ducks in a row and to know that they stand a good chance of it going ahead before presenting it to fans.

 

It is massively frustrating not hearing anything about it, especially when the journalists go through phases of ramping up discussion about it.

[Kanj]

Not every club needs 50k+ seats. Crazy. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

1 hour ago, Kimbo said:

I think the decision is to put both ideas on the shelf.

 

I mean, it's on the shelf until it's not, I guess.

[Stifler]

7 minutes ago, Kanj said:

Not every club needs 50k+ seats. Crazy. 

Why not?

Attendance to live events is rising.

Many of these clubs used to get massive attendances before hooliganism took a hold.

I see no reason why any long term Premier League club should be getting less than 30k.

[Dr.Spaceman]

I just wish they'd stop being so absolute with their deadlines. Biggest club in 5 years, win the league in 10 years, stadium announcement by this time last year. Stop dropping yourself in it.

 

But for the love of god, make a decision 

[LFEE]

Just let it all play out quietly in the background and concentrate on the team. All I will add is it wont be any bigger than 70k whatever they finally decide/have available to them.