St. James’ Park: The Heart of Newcastle United 

St. James’ Park is a football stadium situated in Newcastle upon Tyne, in the north-east of England. It is one of the oldest stadiums in England and the home ground of Newcastle United. Today, we are going to tell you a little more about this incredible and memorable stadium.

Table of contents

History of the Stadium 

St James’ Park, located on what was originally sloping pastureland close to Leazes Terrace and Town Moor, has a long history marked by development challenges due to its proximity to historic properties and local opposition to football. The place was first used by Newcastle Rangers in the 1880s and later by Newcastle West End, which merged with Newcastle East End in 1892 to start Newcastle United. The stadium has undergone several expansions, including an increase in capacity to 60,000 standing (from 30,000) in 1905.      

In the 1920s and 1930s, St James’ Park faced planning difficulties that prevented the construction of a two-tiered stand, resulting in only a small roof over the Leazes Terrace side. Over the following decades, development of the stadium was limited, culminating in Newcastle United being excluded from hosting the 1966 FIFA World Cup. After several attempts to move the stadium, it was agreed in 1971 that it would be rebuilt at St James’ Park. The new Milburn Stand, replacing the old West Stand, was opened in 1987, but the company was unable to finance further development. 

In the 1990s, the stadium underwent a major transformation following the arrival of Sir John Hall as chairman in 1992. It was in 1993 that the Leazes End, which had been demolished but not replaced, was finally rebuilt and opened as the Sir John Hall Stand for Newcastle’s debut season in the Premiership. The Gallowgate End was rebuilt, the Milburn Stand modified, and a new pitch, drainage, and floodlights installed. With all four corners filled with seats, by 1995, the stadium had reached a capacity of 36,610.

In 1995, with the football team’s success under Kevin Keegan and the stadium consistently full, Newcastle United proposed an ambitious plan to move to a new stadium at Leazes Park. The plans envisaged a 55,000-seat stadium, rotating from the original ground and transforming the old stadium into a home for the Newcastle Falcons rugby union club as part of a more comprehensive sporting project led by Sir John Hall, which also involved basketball and ice hockey.

However, Leazes Park was part of the Town Moor, a protected area managed by the Newcastle Freemen, and the proposal generated strong opposition. A pressure group, “No Business on the Moor,” organized a petition with 36,000 signatures, equal to the stadium’s capacity at the time, and faced resistance from conservation groups such as the Friends of Leazes Park.

Although the club suggested compensatory measures, such as landscaping and restoration of historic views, it became clear that approval of the project would require a lengthy and uncertain public inquiry. In order to respond quickly to fan demand, the club opted to expand the existing St James’ Park rather than go ahead with the relocation.

Phew! Quite a story, huh? But it’s not over yet. From there, to make it easier and shorter, we can then divide the history of the stadium into eras in which it was run:

Freddy Shepherd Era (1997–2007)

Transition to Freddy Shepherd (1997): After Sir John Hall steps down as chairman, Freddy Shepherd, a shareholder and board member, takes over.

1998 expansion: The stadium undergoes a major extension after the Leazes Park plan is scrapped. A second tier is added to the Milburn Stand, Leazes End, and adjacent corner, bringing the capacity to 52,143. During construction, executive boxes in the East Stand are demolished and moved to the new Milburn/Leazes complex and the Gallowgate End. The project is completed in 2000.

Additions to Gallowgate (2005): A new bar named “Shearer’s,” named after football legend Alan Shearer, is built under the upper tier of the Gallowgate End. During the works, the original steps of the old stand are uncovered and relocated to the bar. The project includes an expanded club shop, museum, and new ticket office.

Proposed expansion in 2007: The club announced plans for a £300 million project, including a conference center, hotels, and luxury apartments, as well as increasing capacity to 60,000. The city council would fund the expansion but faces challenges due to its proximity to St James’s underground station and Strawberry Place.

Mike Ashley Era (2007–2021)

Mike Ashley takeover (2007): Ashley suspends expansion plans following the club’s purchase. One of the first noticeable changes was removing advertising related to the previous regime and installing signs for Ashley’s company, Sports Direct.

Reorganization of sections (2008): The away section is moved, and the designated family area is expanded. During the 2008–09 season, attendance at the stadium declined due to the financial crisis and the departure of Kevin Keegan, leading to dissatisfaction among fans. Stadium renaming (2011–2012): To attract sponsors, the stadium is temporarily renamed the “Sports Direct Arena.” The change causes outrage among fans. In 2012, sponsor Wonga bought the naming rights and restored the original name “St James’ Park.”

Installation of an electronic scoreboard (2014): A new scoreboard was installed in the Sir John Hall Stand, but the first game with it was postponed due to damage caused by high winds.

Saudi Era (2021–present)

Acquisition by Saudi consortium (2021): The new ownership led by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia removes the Sports Direct sponsorship boards. The removal led to a legal dispute between Mike Ashley and the new management, as Ashley claims the removal was done before the end of the contract. 

‘Newcastle United’ signage restored (2024): In preparation for the 2024-25 season, the signage above the East Stand has been restored to the original font used prior to the Sports Direct era. 

Current Structure

After all this history, you may be confused about the current structure of this magnificent stadium. And that’s okay, and I’m here to clear up your doubts.

The stadium currently has an asymmetrical structure with a capacity of 52,350 spectators. Its structure is complete and very modern, and it is the tenth-largest football stadium in the United Kingdom overall when including the Millennium Stadium (the national stadium of Wales), and Celtic Park (a Scottish club football ground). 

The stadium is divided into different levels: the Milburn/Leazes has four, the Gallowgate End has three, and the East Stand two concourse levels. The Milburn/Leazes side, made up of two levels, is notably higher than the East and Gallowgate Stands, which provide views of the city from some seats. The cantilevered roof above the Milburn/Leazes is one of the most significant structures of its kind in Europe, at 64.5 meters long, even surpassing that of Manchester United’s Old Trafford. 

The Milburn Stand is the main stand, housing the main entrance, lifts, press area, escalators, and a glass-fronted atrium. It is also home to the substitutes’ benches, players’ tunnels, and directors’ boxes. 

The Gallowgate End is known as the liveliest and most traditional section for fans and is where the team prefers to attack in the second half.

In addition to its sporting functions, St. James’ Park offers various facilities, such as the club shop, police station, a café, museum, and main ticket office, spread across different areas.

Accessibility

All corporate hospitality facilities at St. James’ Park are accessible to disabled supporters. The club is committed to providing a high-quality, inclusive experience.

For visually impaired supporters, audio commentary is available via headsets.

The stadium has 234 wheelchair spaces, as well as accessible seating and 85 special seating areas.

A sensory room designed to create a safe therapeutic space is located next to a dedicated indoor viewing area. In addition, various levels of the stadium have accessible facilities, including toilets and baby changing facilities. Personal assistants are provided free of charge, and there is an infrared commentary system for the visually impaired.

The club also provides facilities for people with hearing difficulties, such as induction loops in reception, the ticket office, and the club shop. 

Areas Vips, Events, Restaurants and Lounges

The stadium houses designated premium-priced club seating areas, each with its own access to a bar and lounge behind the stand for use before the match and at half-time. The Magpie Club, Four Corners, Joe Harvey Suite, Sir Bobby Robson Suite, Heroes Club, Off-Site Packages, Club St. James’, The Entertainer, Park Grill, The Barracks, WINGS, and The Rooftops with Fenwick are the restaurants and lounges around the building. Each one offers a variety of food and drinks, with options to suit all tastes.

The club also offers a range of event facilities, including executive suites for meetings, workshops, seminars, or parties that can accommodate up to 1,000 people and offer catering and hostess services.  They also offer a match day programme where you can hire a complete event service on match days. 

International Football At St. James’ Park

The stadium has been the stage for major football matches and witnessed big names scoring emblematic goals. Over the decades, the stadium has hosted several memorable fixtures, including friendlies and youth internationals, with large crowds, including the 43,000-plus who watched England B beat the Netherlands in 1950. It also hosted the 1996 European Championship and the 2012 Olympic Games. Most recently, in 2023, it hosted Saudi Arabia’s friendly matches. 

This year, England Women played France, the first time the Lionesses have played at the stadium.

In 2028, St James’s Park will host UEFA Euro 2028 matches. 

A Place That’s Home to Much More Than Football

St James’ Park has also established itself over the years as a true cultural icon.

Video Games

FIFA Database

The stadium’s versatility is also reflected in the world of video games. St James’ Park has been the setting for filming the famous FIFA video game franchise, as well as being featured in films such as Goal!, which follows the career of a fictional player at Newcastle United.

Charity matches

In addition to hosting exciting Newcastle United games, the venue has also been the stage for charity matches, such as the games in honor of Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, and Sir Bobby Robson, bringing together sporting legends to support good causes. 

Concerts

When it comes to music, St James’ Park does not disappoint. Big names such as The Rolling Stones, Queen, Sam Fender, and Bruce Springsteen have filled the stadium on nights of great music.

Film And Television

The stadium has also been part of memorable moments on television, such as auditions for The X Factor and the reality show Big Brother. It has also hosted the final matches of the program The Match.

St. James’ Park. Shearer’s 

The stadium also features the famous Shearer’s Bar, named after the legendary player Alan Shearer.

Located at the Gallowgate End, the venue is a meeting point for football fans. Open throughout the week, the bar offers a wide selection of drinks and a varied menu, with the famous Sunday lunch being the highlight. With 35 large screens, visitors can watch all the major sporting events in a vibrant atmosphere. The bar also has private booths and event spaces, accommodating up to 200 people for private functions.

The atmosphere in the venue is incredible, especially on match days. Going to Shearer’s before or after a game will definitely enhance your experience at the stadium. 

Tour of The Home of Newcastle United 

St. James’ Park offers three types of tours: the classic tour, the rooftop tour, and an autism-friendly tour. I must say that because of the price difference (5 euros) and the incredible experience, the Rooftop Tour is the most worthwhile experience.

In addition to visiting the basic facilities of the tour (players’ changing room, press room, entrance tunnel to the pitch, directors box, etc.), the experience on the rooftop goes even further and takes you to the heights. Accompanied by an experienced guide, you will climb a walkway 150 feet high to enjoy panoramic views of Tyneside. Equipped with a high-visibility vest, helmet, and binoculars, participants visit four viewing platforms and have the chance to capture incredible memories and a breathtaking moment. 

Prices range from £11 to £25, depending on the type of tour and age.

Tickets

For the 2023/2024 season, St James’ Park has adopted a digital ticketing system using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, similar to Apple and Google Pay. This means you will need a smartphone to access your tickets.

In addition, the only way to obtain tickets for home games is to become a member of The Mags via the club’s official website. To do this, you will need to visit the club’s website and follow the instructions to sign up.

If you have any queries or problems, you can contact the media outlets listed on the website or visit the Box Office in the Milburn Stand.

Ticket prices vary depending on the opponent and are typically between £27.00 and £52.00.

How to Get to the Stadium

St. James’ Park is close to Newcastle’s center and easy to get to. If you decide to go by car, there is no available car park on matchdays. 

Still, public parking is clearly signposted upon arrival in Newcastle city centre, and you just need to enter the address “Barrack Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4ST, United Kingdom” into your GPS.

However, on match days, the area tends to be very busy, so I recommend using the city’s public transport, which works very well. So, here are some guidelines:

• By Train: Newcastle Central Station, located on the East Coast Mainline, there is a major train stop between London, Edinburgh, and other cities. From there, the stadium is about a 10-minute walk away, following Neville Street and turning right onto St. James’ Boulevard. 
• By Metro: St. James’ Metro station, on the Tyne & Wear Metro line, is the closest to the stadium. Monument station serves the yellow and green lines and is also just a five-minute walk away. 
• Park and Ride: On match days, there is a park and ride service operating from the Metrocentre, a large shopping centre. The X50 bus runs directly between the Metrocentre and the stadium, with stops on Barrack Road.
• By Bus: The main bus stations, Haymarket and Eldon Square are within a five-minute walk of the stadium. To get to the stadium, walk south west on Percy Street and turn right onto Gallowgate.  
• By Foot: If you are already in the city centre, the stadium is easily accessible on foot, with a number of routes available.
• By Taxi: There are taxi ranks dotted throughout the city, with the closest to the stadium being located opposite the entrance to Chinatown, a two-minute walk away.   

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