Newcastle United fans have been given an insight into the rumoured inspiration for how the club’s new stadium will look.
The Magpies’ decision to build a new 65,000-capacity stadium on Leazes Park marks a shift from earlier plans to renovate St James’ Park, aiming to meet growing fan demand and enhance the club’s commercial prospects.
Leazes Park, a historic urban park opened in 1873 and located next to St James’ Park, is a Grade II listed site, which could complicate the development due to preservation concerns and community opposition.
The proposed stadium capacity aligns with the club’s strategy to maintain high ticket demand, positioning it as the second-largest in the Premier League, though some fans argue for an even larger capacity of 70,000 to 80,000.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle now planning to build 65k super stadium on Leazes Park
🏟️ St James’ Park redesign shelved as club press ahead with stunning plans
👇 Full details of huge development, including site & proposed design…https://t.co/yEtZPFHbkY
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) March 13, 2025
Newcastle United’s new 65000 stadium set to be built at Leazes Park next to St James’ Park 🏟️
Rumoured to be based on Las Vegas 65k capacity Allegiant Stadium, expandable to 71835 & cost $2bn 🇺🇸
It hosts NFL Raiders, Super Bowl, Coldplay, WrestleMania & Copa America#NUFC ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/eQb9BhGRJ3
— NUFC Gallowgate (@NUFCgallowgate) March 13, 2025
According to Craig Hope for the Daily Mail, Newcastle United’s plans to build a new 65,000-capacity stadium and move away from St James’ Park after 133 years.
The proposed site has no overlap with St James’, so the team can resume playing there at full capacity while the new home is built.
Newcastle’s Saudi owners were presented with the plans with chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan fully behind the project and Downing Street officials to give the green light.
The design of the new stadium is said to feature a “bubble-wrap-type exterior,” drawing inspiration from Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, and will include a parkland-style approach likened to Wembley Way.
Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) meanwhile tweeted: “According to Newcastle United this evening they have not decided on capacity of new stadium, various options are being looked at for land adjacent to SJP, of varying sizes. Also adamant that final decision on whether to build new home or expand SJP has still not been made, presumably because PIF have to make it. Preferred option is a new stadium internally. I think we all need to wait for final plan to be made public. As frustrating as it is waiting.”
NUFC Blog say that one stadium the club have been studying as they step up plans for a new home is the domed multi-purpose Allegiant Stadium, located in Nevada and the home of NFL side the Las Vegas Raiders.
It opened in 2020, can host up to 65,000 supporters and club executives are said to be impressed by the Allegiant, which has a retractable roof, looking to imitate much of the infrastructure and overall design. While it won’t be a carbon copy, they will certainly take inspiration.
The capacity of 65,000, while lower than an initially speculated 70,000, reflects a strategic choice by CEO Darren Eales to ensure all seats can be filled, maintaining demand and maximizing revenue, a lesson he learned from his time at Atlanta United.
This ambitious move is seen as a way to increase matchday revenue and help Newcastle comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, positioning them to compete with the league’s elite clubs.
While the shift away from St James’ Park may divide fans due to its rich history and iconic atmosphere, the new stadium aims to balance tradition with progress.
Fans reacted after being given an insight into rumoured inspiration for how the new Newcastle stadium will look…
@Someboy_Chris: Size is more than correct. People only want the big games. Pre season attendances in the summer were shocking. A few mediocre years and there will be empty seats in a 70k ground.
@lesliechu17: Been here a couple of times – One of my favourite stadiums in the world! Unreal if we are aiming for something like this! 😍🙏🏻
@MadGeordie3: Fans need to be more closer to the pitch . I like how Everton have build theirs so the crowd will feel like it’s right on top of the teams .
@OwenMarriott2: 65k isn’t worth moving the ground imo. Demand will still be way over supply and id not want to risk losing what sjp has. By the time you add in the added corporate seats that come with a new stadium you’d be no better off
@ToonMouthTyne: Personally, I think it’s stunning. It’ll be amazing to have all the modern features, technology, space, choice, amenities….all personalised to a “Newcastle United theme”. Once we’re in and settled, we’ll make it our fortress. SJP is legendary but the time has come to move over the road. #NUFC
@Robinson90Paul: Won’t be soulless when the geordie roar is bellowing around it…. The stadium will be as good as the fans make it, and personally (might be biased here) but we have the best fans in the world and will make the atmosphere ⚫️⚪️⚫️⚪️
@mikepumpkin: Been to Allegiant a few times, it’s AMAZING but mainly because it’s right in the middle of Las Vegas strip. The stadium itself is a step up from many MLB or NFL stadiums, so if our stadium is based on this, I’m all for it
@JoshS_1896: Hope the layout inside isn’t the same. Need a large single tiered gallowgate end to generate noise
@Vega_04: 65,000 just doesn’t seem like a good idea, maybe ok for today, but in five years time (and if success plan goes well) we’d probably fill 70,000 without issue imo
@RichyStorey: Amazing stadium mate! Needs to be at least 70k tho. Regards atmosphere, WE create that! Architects can help with acoustics, closeness to pitch etc. Just look at Lumen Field & Arrowhead Stadiums. The 2 loudest NFL stadiums but don’t look it but designed with good acoustics!
@rough_justice76: Anything bigger than 65k risks a lot of empty seats for less lucrative games. A few poor seasons and crowds drop. We become the butt of jokes.
@Hexham67: 65k but designed to expand in time, but it’s not just about seats. It’s about having a modern facility in all regards. It’s a long way from pissing on a brick wall in the 70’s. Maybe they keep the Bovril though. #NUFC
@iloveidpol: 65k? we can get SJP up to 60k! What’s the point? Throwing all that history down the drain for a few thousand more seats for tourists?
@MattyMonaghan20: Leaving 133 years behind you for 13k extra seats. Joke
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