Insider: NUFC could have sold 100,000+ tickets for PSG game

With the return of UEFA Champions League football to St. James' Park for the first time in 20 years, excitement is reaching fever pitch on Tyneside.

A massive claim from a club insider

Indeed, one club insider speaking anonymously to Mark Douglas of iNews has sensationally claimed that more than 100,000 tickets could have been sold for the visit of Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening:

"We probably could have sold the stadium two times over without a problem."

It's hard to argue, given that the opt-in rate for the Champions League home game package offered by the club was apparently "close to 100%" and there have barely been any returns this week.

Wor Flags have huge plans for the game

Douglas' excellent article also outlines what the excellent fans' group "Wor Flags" have in store for St. James' Park for the club's return to the big time.

The PSG display will seemingly be Wor Flags' largest yet, with a huge new "surfer" set to make its debut at the Gallowgate End. Both the Leazes End and East Stand will be covered, too.

The Milburn Stand and other parts of the stadium will be provided with flags and other displays, ensuring all four sides of the stadium are seas of black and white.

All-in-all, Wor Flags' volunteers have put in around 400 hours to bring everything together. We can't say enough positive words about all of those lads and lasses.

Global media interest is through the roof

Broadcast and media requests are "more akin to a last 16 game", according to Uefa, with the likes of CBS Sports, Dazn, Canal Plus, beIN, and TNT all set to have their on-screen talent pitchside.

Even when compared to the other 15 Champions League games happening over Tuesday and Wednesday, it's hard to deny that Newcastle United vs. Paris Saint-Germain is the biggest.

Napoli vs. Real Madrid runs it close, but as that one takes place on Tuesday all eyes will be on St. James' Park come eight o'clock (BST) the following night.