Newcastle have two ‘fantastic’ new stadium options, announcement expected soon
Newcastle United are expected to announce a final decision imminently as they choose between two stadium redevelopment options.
The Magpies have been working through different alternatives over the past few years under their PIF ownership.
Newcastle had been hoping to announce stadium plans in early 2025, but club chiefs are aware of the importance of the decision as they continue to weigh up the situation.
St James’ Park has been the club’s home since they were founded in 1892, and the last time it saw any renovation was in 1998.
Newcastle United planning for St. James’ Park future
Newcastle have been exploring new stadium plans in recent times, with both options of renovating their current home or building a new ground on the table.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that whichever way the Magpies decide to go, it will be fantastic for the club.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Newcastle are likely to make their choice very soon, as the decision has already been delayed.
Wyness added that under the ownership of the PIF, Eddie Howe’s side have more than enough funding to redevelop, or build a whole new stadium.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “They are still to announce whether it’s going to be a revitalised, rejigged St James’s Park or a brand new stadium, of course.
“Between the Reuben family, who are well-known property investors in the UK, and of course, the PIF, you have the best in the world in terms of being able to get your financing, and knowing where to go for it and get it at the right interest rate.
“Of course, the club will have to stand on its own two feet in terms of generating revenue to repay those. But as a last resort situation for any funder, you’d be sleeping well at night knowing that that was the recourse. I don’t think there’ll be any issues at all in terms of that.
“It’s just more interesting to see whether they’re going to go for the new option or whether they going to go for St James’s Park being redeveloped. It will be fascinating to see the plans.
“Both of them are fantastic options. It’s already later than when we thought it was going to be announced, but it’ll be an exciting project, that’s for sure.”
Magpies’ new chief has major decision to make
Newcastle have appointed David Hopkinson as their CEO, with the 54-year-old starting work on Tyneside earlier this month.
Hopkinson has joined the Magpies from Madison Square Garden Sports, where he was president and COO, spearheading the business operations of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.
The new chief will be thrust straight into action, working hard on the new stadium project.
His first major decision will be deciding between a stadium redevelopment or a completely new build, a choice which is likely to define his time in charge.
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