Newcastle United stadium fate set for 2025 ahead of UEFA visit to St James' Park

Newcastle United chiefs are awaiting a New Year visit from UEFA as the club prepare to talk about hosting the 2028 European Championships.

UEFA will be keen to learn what the plans are for St James' Park amid the talk swirling around the football world on the Magpies potentially moving stadium. UEFA bosses already know that the current home of Newcastle is fit to host the big occasions after watching England play Bosnia & Herzegovina on Tyneside last year in a Euro 2024 warm-up match while UEFA were also regular visitors to the stadium last season for United's short-lived stint in the Champions League.

Newcastle are looking to announce their proposals for either a revamped St James' or a move away from the ground that has hosted the black and whites since 1892. UEFA will be keen to hear those plans and a high profile meeting in anticipation of the Euros in 2028 is planned.

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UEFA confirmed to Chronicle Live: "The first stadium working visits will take place in 2025."

From there it is expected that more will be known on Newcastle's plans with COO Brad Miller also confirming to fans this week that the club's plans will soon be unveiled. A statement from the fan's board this week, read: "Brad Miller referred back to a previous stadium infrastructure presentation. Planners, architects, project managers are all working away on the two options and scenarios previously discussed."

The other English venues that will host the tournament will be Wembley, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Etihad Stadium, Everton's new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock and Villa Park. And regardless of whether it will be on the current site, or a new ground top class international tournament action will be heading for St James' Park for the first time since Euro 96.

Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Kemp, said: “We are delighted Newcastle will be a host city for the men’s UEFA EURO 2028 football tournament after the UK and Ireland’s bid was successful. Newcastle is a great sporting city that is known around the world for its passion for sport.

“The tournament will be another fantastic opportunity to showcase our great city to a global audience and it’s expected to deliver a £98m boost to the local economy. We have an excellent track record of hosting national and international events such as the World Transplant Games, the Rugby League World Cup and the Great North Run.

“We can’t wait to play our part in delivering a successful UEFA EURO 2028 and helping to create a tournament that lives long in the memory of football fans.”

The former Newcastle boss that made a quiet entrance into St James' Park on Wednesday night

The stage was supposed to be set for Kevin Keegan at St James' ahead of the clash with Liverpool. Whether Keegan was ever going to turn up for an emotional return to St James' is up for debate - but a Wor Flags reception was awaiting him until a late change was called for.

With Newcastle in need of a lift, Wor Flags opted for the perfect way to set the tone with a banner simply reading: "Get into them." Watching on from the stands though was another man who has ties with both clubs, having managed the Reds and the Magpies.

However, there was no fanfare for Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, who has always enjoyed his returns to St James', with the ex-Scotland star taking in the 3-3 draw against Arne Slot's side. Dalglish may not have wooed the fans as much as Keegan did in the dugout but he did lead Newcastle to an FA Cup final in 1998 and qualified for the Champions League for the first time.

Dalglish also made signings that put the club in good stead for years to come in Shay Given, Nobby Solano, Gary Speed and Andy Griffin to name a few.

FA Youth Cup action returns to Tyneside

The young Magpies will be back in action on Monday night in the FA Youth Cup with their third round tie taking place at Whitley Park. United face up to Brighton & Hove Albion and will be looking to push on in this year's competition.

Last season's FA Youth Cup adventure ended in a 5-0 hammering at the hands of AFC Bournemouth at St James' as Graeme Carrick's men bowed out at the round four stage. Carrick has long since departed his post to join Middlesbrough with Chris Moore now the man in charge.

Admission is £3 adults and £1 for concessions with strict cash only turnstiles in operation for a 7pm kick off.