Newcastle United stadium verdict delivered as 80,000 seats and PSR boosts desired

Is it time to stay and expand? Or go flourish in a revenue-boosting venue elsewhere? Chief Operating Officer Brad Miler's comments this week have revived the debate of recent months regarding what on earth happens to St James' Park.

We won't have any real guidance until early 2025 as Newcastle United chiefs carefully weigh up which direction to go in. The decision makers certainly received some important guidance from fans they spoke to at this week's STACK event, with the majority of those in attendance admitting they would prefer a brand new city centre venue - if possible.

Meanwhile, our own snap Chronicle Live poll was split 53% to 47% in favour of leaving St James' Park as of Friday morning. With all this in mind, we asked our panel of Newcastle United writers to have their say on whether it is time to stick or twist.

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Lee Ryder

Should Newcastle move stadium? That's the question many fans have been asking this week. But it's not an easy one to answer until all of the information is available.

This week club chiefs told us that there would be "more seats" and that revenue would be "doubled". All well and good, but how many more seats? And where are we moving to?

If it is an 80,000 stadium that's still within walking distance of the city centre then my answer would be yes. If St James' Park could be knocked down and built again on the current site, even better.

But if we are to be realistic about competing with the very best in Europe, then a stadium that brings in the right amount of revenue is needed. If all the terms are right, I'd be open to a stadium move providing we are going to build a team that competes at the highest level.

Ciaran Kelly

If you had asked me this question even six months ago, I would not have given it a second thought. I just could not have imagined Newcastle United relocating from St James' Park.

If there was a way for Newcastle to somehow get to 65,000-plus seats and redevelop the stadium in its current location, that would still be my personal preference, but in a PSR world, this is the one lever the Magpies have to pull. Newcastle have to make it count from a revenue perspective, particularly when so many other clubs are expanding or looking to do so.

Whatever happens, whether it is an expansion, redevelopment or a move elsewhere, the club have to stay in the city centre and those thousands of Geordies who have been locked out must not be priced out like we have seen in shiny new arenas elsewhere in the country.

Aaron Stokes

I was dead set against leaving St James' Park but, like many others, I feel like I am slowly coming around to the idea of starting afresh elsewhere - provided the ground is situated in the city centre.

We have all watched on in frustration at Newcastle's inability to spend in recent seasons, despite being debt free and having ludicrously wealthy majority owners. With Premier League's financial stipulations seemingly here to stay, the Magpies know they need to increase revenue streams - and a new stadium is the way to do just that.

Think STACK x100 when Newcastle's decision makers are able to supercharge the club's matchday offerings in and around a match. Plus, the club really need around 65,000 seats these days - and the cost of adding 13,000 additional spaces at the current location will likely cost a small fortune due to the complications of the location.

Of course, leaving St James' Park will be hard. The place is steeped in history and I have a nagging worry the heart and soul will be ripped out of the club somewhat with a new, modern venue. However, given it's for the good of the club - and not just for the sake of it - I believe I've gradually been swayed that it's time to say goodbye in favour of a new adventure elsewhere.

Stuart Jamieson

The time has come for Newcastle United to look to the future and leave St James' Park. Nostalgia wins you precisely nothing and, while it would be ideal to develop the current stadium, the club can grow significantly more in a new ground.

The owners must follow the examples of Tottenham and Arsenal and build a new fortress all Newcastle fans can be proud to call home, and open up huge potential revenue streams in the process.

The St James' memories won't disappear, but it's time to make more - and better ones - elsewhere.