'I've been told': Luke Edwards gives Newcastle United fans update on potential stadium capacity of new ground

While we await any kind of official word from the club, there has been a big shift towards the idea of building a new stadium for Newcastle United recently.

The fact that a new ground would be built on Leazes Park and would intersect the current St James' Park footprint seems to have been a big factor in persuading fans that a new build stadium might just be the way to go.

Of course, there are still plenty of fans who can't bear the idea of moving away from St James' Park and there is still the possibility that the club's owners opt to expand and modernise the existing stadium.

Either way, it's going to be an expensive and time-consuming undertaking which will ultimately see more fans able to attend matches.

Luke Edwards has shared what he's been told around the capacity of new/expanded stadiums

Journalist Luke Edwards, who has been burned before when it comes to releasing information about the stadium, has taken another punt based on what he's been told, but this time is quick to add that this is nothing official.

"On new stadium capacities I’ve been told it will be around 68k for new stadium and somewhere between 60-65k to stay at SJP. But I’ve not had this confirmed by club and others have different estimates.
Guess we just have to wait and see now. Some sort of public announcement must be edging closer."

Edwards followed that up by saying new parkland would be built on the existing St James' Park site if a new stadium was to be built, which makes sense given how the new ground would take up so much of Leazes Park.

Having an expanded/new stadium in time for Euro 2028 seems impossible now

As Edwards said, we must be getting close to some sort of official communication on the matter now, especially after the PIF's recent visit.

Quite how much say on the decision fans will have remains to be seen, but the whole thing is taking far longer than anyone expected.

With St James' Park down as a Euro 2028 venue, they will need to get cracking if they want to keep that status. The worst-case scenario now is that they delay any work until after that tournament.