Newcastle United are looking to move ahead with ambitious plans to extend St James’ Park rather than moving to a new stadium.
The Telegraph said the Premier League club have sourced feedback from “world leading experts” during a six-month feasibility study to determine what is possible when it comes to improving and expanding the club’s city centre stadium.
The Magpies were seeking to find out what could be possible at St James’ Park, while at the same time prioritising the wishes of fans.
The ground currently has a seating capacity of 52,305 and is the eighth largest football stadium in England. It has been home to Newcastle United F.C. since 1892.
Staying at St James’ Park rather than moving to a new site was always the preference and, according to reports from the Telegraph, the Magpies are now close to being able to move ahead with modernising their current home.
The expansion, which the Telegraph say has been described as “one of the most ambitious stadium rebuilds seen in this country”, could see the capacity increased to more than 60,000 as well as improved facilities around the ground.
But before work, which wouldn’t be expected to start before the end of the year, gets underway, Newcastle will first want to extend their lease with the city council. The current lease has 70 years to run.
Newcastle’s chief executive Darren Eales told of his excitement late last year as the Magpies launched the feasibility study to discover the “art of the possible” with St James’ Park.
