Report: Newcastle to decide on St James' Park future in early 2025

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Will it expand or will the Magpies leave home?

Newcastle United is moving closer to a decision on whether to expand St James' Park or pursue alternative stadium options, with the club targeting early 2025 for reaching a final verdict, according to Chris Waugh of The Athletic.

This comes after completing the first phase of a feasibility study that explores the potential expansion of their 52,300-seat stadium, alongside the possibility of building a new arena from the ground.

The study, which started, has been described as "extremely complex," per Newcastle's chief operating officer Brad Miller.

While expanding St James' Park is the preferred move by fans, staffers, and even coach Eddie Howe, Miller stressed that several risks need to be fully understood before a commitment can be made.

"This is an exciting but extremely complex project, and I'd like to thank supporters for their patience as we conduct this key phase of the feasibility process," Miller said. "We aren't quite at a decision-making stage yet, but we are targeting the early part of 2025 to complete the next essential tasks."

Miller highlighted the need for a balance between risk and opportunity, noting that this is a "once-in-a-generation investment" for both the club and the city. He also confirmed that the study is analyzing alternative options to give the club a comprehensive understanding before committing to any course of action, although that might be a little bit expensive all things considered.

The proposed expansion would come at a significant cost too, mind you, with estimates running into the hundreds of millions and into the billions. However, Newcastle has acknowledged that increased matchday revenue and greater ticket availability would boost their compliance with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR), a key priority for the club's Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)-led ownership group.

While all options, including relocation, remain on the table, Miller's comments suggest that a significant renovation of St James' Park is the more likely path.

The project's outcome will be pivotal for Newcastle's long-term strategy as they seek to align their infrastructure with their ambitious footballing and financial goals.