St James’ Park hosting World Cup 2018 games
St James’ Park has been Newcastle United’s stadium since 1892. The stadium is an all-seater in Newcastle in North East England. It has a capacity of 52387 supporters, making it the 7th largest football stadium in the U.K. St James’ Park was expanded between 1998 and 2000 and has hosted concerts and international football matches.
The four stands in this arena are Gallowgate End (South), Leazes End (North), Milburn Stand (West) and East Stand. The stadium contains conference and dinner facilities, a large club shop, club museum and café. In April 2007, plans of further expansion to the capacity of the stadium were proposed. Heavy investment was planned, totalling around £300m, which would see the capacity increased to 60000, the building of luxury apartments, hotels and a large conference centre. However, since then, the club has changed ownership with the takeover by Mike Ashley and it is not yet clear if the new owner is willing to implement these plans. Theoretically, the maximum possible expansion to the stadium would be to increase its capacity to 70000.
Group Games in Newcastle in 2018?
Newcastle’s stadium is no stranger to big games or important events. It was chosen to host matches during Euro 1996. While the Wembley was being redeveloped, this stadium was occasionally used for England international matches. The stadium was one of the 6 mentioned that met the FIFA standards, meaning that it could host a World Cup match. In the 2012 Olympics to be hosted by England, St James’ Park will host some football matches.
The stadium was used to film the movie Goal! where a fictional player from Mexico is signed by Newcastle. It has also been used as an audition venue for popular TV show called ‘The X Factor’. This arena has proved that it can host large events as well as football. The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, Bob Dylan, Brian Adams and Rod Stewart have all given concerts at the St James’ Park.
Newcastle United’s arena is one of the likely options to host World Cup matches if England were to be successful with their bid to bring the World Cup to their country. The respect towards the Toon combined with the capabilities of the stadium make it impossible for the FA to overlook it when compiling the stadium selection.
Bid Information
February 21, 2008 @ 9:41 am
Mike said:
Definate Venue.
April 7, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
Russ said:
contrary to opinion St James cannot be expanded any further. It has a train station undeneath the gallowgate end and listed buildings behind the east stand. I wish the myth of expanded this ground would be put to bed.
August 16, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
Kev said:
erm Russ yes it can pal, dont you no anything about the construction trade? all they’ll have to do it re-inforce the ground around the metro station, £300 million to do this has been quoted with hotels etc added, also SJP will have a capacity one day of 60,000+. One thing you did get correct though is that the east stand cant be redeveloped, whereas the Gallowgate End can be so get your fact right before shouting your mouth off.
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