View source for St James' Park

{{Short description|Football stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}

{{For|other places with similar names|St James Park (disambiguation){{!}}St James Park}}
{{distinguish|St James's Park | St James Park (Exeter)}}

{{Infobox venue
| name = St James' Park
| nickname = 'The Cathedral on the Hill'
| image = Newcastle st-james-park stadium.jpg
| logo_size = 250px
| caption = <p>'''[[UEFA stadium categories|UEFA]]''' {{rating|4|4}}</p>
| fullname = St James' Park
| logo_image = St James' Park.png
| address = Barrack Road
| location = [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], [[England]]<br>[[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|NE1 4ST]]
| opened = 1892
| renovated = 1986–1987, 1992–1995, 1998–2000
| owner = [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle City Council]]
| surface = Grass ([[Desso GrassMaster]])
| architect = TTH Architects, [[Gateshead]]
| publictransit = {{rint|newcastle}} [[St James Metro station|St James]]<br>{{rint|newcastle}} {{rint|gb|Rail}} [[Newcastle railway station|Newcastle]]
| tenants = {{plainlist|
* Newcastle Rangers F.C. (1880–1882, 1884)
* [[Newcastle West End F.C.]] (1886–1892)
* [[Newcastle East End F.C.]] (1892)
* [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] (1892–present)
}}
| seating_capacity = 52,264
| dimensions = {{convert|105|x|68|m|yd|1}}<ref name="cap2021">{{cite web |title=Premier League Handbook 2022/23|url=https://resources.premierleague.com/premierleague/document/2021/04/07/6ebff069-a7ee-415d-afbd-15878b6d33b2/2020-21-PL-Handbook-240321.pdf|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412002820/https://resources.premierleague.com/premierleague/document/2021/04/07/6ebff069-a7ee-415d-afbd-15878b6d33b2/2020-21-PL-Handbook-240321.pdf|archive-date=12 April 2021 |publisher=Premier League |access-date=12 April 2021 |page=30}}</ref>
}}

'''St James' Park''' is a [[Association football|football]] stadium in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], England. It is the home of [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]. With a [[seating capacity]] of 52,264,<ref name="cap2023">{{cite web |date=17 August 2025 |title=Premier League Handbook 2025/26 |url=https://resources.premierleague.pulselive.com/premierleague/document/2025/07/28/379e2f04-d81f-4768-ab68-e45de43b9d4d/PL_Handbook_25-26_Digital_28.07.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805212133/https://resources.premierleague.com/premierleague/document/2022/07/19/40085fed-1e9e-4c33-9f14-0bcf57857da2/PL_Handbook_2022-23_DIGITAL_18.07.pdf |archive-date=5 August 2022 |access-date=17 September 2025 |page=32}}</ref> it is the [[List of football stadiums in England|10th largest]] football stadium in England.

St James' Park has been the home ground of Newcastle United since 1892 and has been used for football since 1880.<ref name=officialsitestadiumpage>[http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Club/History/StJamesPark Newcastle United official site] Stadium Information page</ref> Throughout its history, the desire for expansion has caused conflict with local residents and the local council.<ref name=officialsitehistory1/> This has led to proposals to move at least twice in the late 1960s,<ref name=officialsitehistory2/><ref name=toonarama1970/> and a controversial 1995 proposed move to nearby [[Leazes Park]]. Reluctance to move has led to the distinctive lop-sided appearance of the present-day stadium's asymmetrical stands.<ref name=worldstadiaddotcom>[http://worldstadia.com/stadium/england/st._james'_park/87.php worldstadia.com St James' Park review] Aerial photo of stadium and general info.</ref>

Besides club football, St James' Park has also been used for [[FIFA|international football]], at the [[2012 Summer Olympics venues#Football stadia|2012 Olympics]],<ref name=sjp2012venue>[http://www.london2012.com/venues/football-stadia-uk-wide.php 2012 Official Site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016074634/http://www.london2012.com/venues/football-stadia-uk-wide.php |date=16 October 2009 }} Football locations, retrieved 15 April 2008</ref> for the [[rugby league]] [[Magic Weekend]], [[rugby union]] [[2015 Rugby World Cup|World Cup]], [[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]] and [[England national rugby union team|England]] Test matches, charity football events, rock concerts, and as a set for film and reality television.

==History==
[[File:St James Metro station ticket hall 1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The [[St James Metro station]] ticket hall carries artwork depicting a timeline of the history of Newcastle United]]
{{See also|History of Newcastle United F.C.}}

===Early history===
The site of St James' Park was originally a patch of sloping grazing land, bordered by Georgian Leazes Terrace,<ref>[http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=424356&y=564729&z=0&sv=NE1%204LY&st=PostCode&lu=N&tl=~&ar=y&bi=~&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf streetmap.co.uk] indicated location of Leazes Terrace (the building, not the street) in relation to St James' Park</ref> and near the historic [[Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne|Town Moor]], owned by the Freemen of the city, both factors that later affected development of the ground, with the local council being the landlord of the site.<ref name=officialsitehistory1>[http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/StJamesParkDetail/0,,10278~224162,00.html Newcastle United official site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430102936/http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/StJamesParkDetail/0,,10278~224162,00.html |date=30 April 2008 }} St James' Park Story, Part 1</ref> Leazes Terrace was built c1830 by notable Newcastle residents, architect [[Thomas Oliver (architect)|Thomas Oliver]] and builder [[Richard Grainger]]. Once the residence of high society in Newcastle, it is now a Grade 1<ref>[http://www.telford-hart.com/education_projects.htm Telford Hart Quantity Surveyors] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124203714/http://www.telford-hart.com/education_projects.htm |date=24 January 2008 }} description of Leazes Terrace project</ref><ref>[http://www.howarthlitchfield.co.uk/sector.php?pageKey=14&menuKey=13&sectorKey=5&itemKey=13 Howard Litchfield Partnership consultants] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20090214102031/http://www.howarthlitchfield.co.uk/sector.php?pageKey=14&menuKey=13&sectorKey=5&itemKey=13 |date=14 February 2009 }} description of Leazes Terrace project</ref> [[listed building]], and, recently refurbished, is currently being used as self-catering [[postgraduate]] student accommodation by [[Newcastle University]].<ref>[http://www.ncl.ac.uk/accommodation/about/List_of_Accommodation/lzterrace.php Newcastle University] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211123049/http://www.ncl.ac.uk/accommodation/about/List_of_Accommodation/lzterrace.php |date=11 December 2007 }} Accommodation details for Leazes Terrace</ref> The site was also near the [[gallows]] of the city, last used in 1844, lending the Gallowgate End its name.<ref name=officialsitehistory1/>

The first football team to play at St James' Park was [[Newcastle Rangers F.C.|Newcastle Rangers]] in 1880.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Joannou|first1=Paul|title=The St James' Park Story|url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Club/History/StJamesPark|publisher=Newcastle United F.C.|access-date=29 September 2015}}</ref> They moved to a ground at [[Byker]] in 1882, then returned briefly to St James' Park in 1884 before folding that year. [[Newcastle West End F.C.|Newcastle West End]] took over the ground in 1886. West End were wound up in 1892 and effectively merged into their rivals [[Newcastle East End F.C.|Newcastle East End]], who took over the lease of St James' Park and became [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] later that year.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Joannou |first1=Paul |title=The Formation of Newcastle United |url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Club/History/ClubHistory/0,,10278~2108980,00.html |publisher=Newcastle United F.C. |access-date=29 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320211146/http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Club/History/ClubHistory/0%2C%2C10278~2108980%2C00.html |archive-date=20 March 2011 }}</ref> On 3 September 1892, Newcastle East End played its first game on the football ground.<ref name=firstGameNUFC>{{cite news | title = A significant first at St James' Park, Newcastle, back on this day in 1892
| newspaper = Chronicle | location = Newcastle| language =en | publisher = chroniclelive.co.uk| date =3 September 2016 | url =https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/significant-first-st-james-park-11834947
 | access-date = 26 January 2020}}</ref> Local residents opposition to football being played at St James' dated back to the first games in the [[Football League]] following the building of the first small stand at the Gallowgate End. A redeveloped Gallowgate and further stands followed in 1899, bringing the first official capacity to 30,000 (standing).<ref name=officialsitehistory1/>

While the stadium is now synonymous with the ''Black and Whites'', Newcastle United actually played in red and white at St James' Park until 1904.<ref name=stadiumfootballcouk>Their fiercest rivals actually played at St James' Park before Newcastle or Either team that merged to become Newcastle United. The Mackems had been drawn in The Durham Cup to play Newcastle Rangers. Northumberland FA at this time did not exist [http://stadiums.football.co.uk/Premiership/St-James-Park.htm stadiums.football.co.uk St James Park info] containing a picture of the old East Stand with boxes, a picture of the infilled corner roof sections, and the red and white strip date.</ref> In 1905, a doubling of capacity to 60,000, with a main stand on the Barrack Road (now Milburn Stand), and major other stands, produced a state-of-the-art facility, even boasting a swimming pool.<ref name=officialsitehistory1/>

The second-ever [[rugby league]] test match, and first test victory by Great Britain, was played at the ground in 1908 against the touring [[Australian Kangaroos]] side on 23 January 1909.

===1920–1990===
[[File:St James Park, 31st July 1963.jpg|thumb|right|upright|200px|An aerial view of the stadium in 1963]]
Between 1920 and 1930, plans were drawn up for a double-tiered stand by notable football architect [[Archibald Leitch]]. However, after planning disputes, all that was achieved was a small roof over the Leazes Terrace side (Sir John Hall Stand). [[Floodlight]]s were constructed in the 1950s, with the first match played using them held on 25 February 1953 against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Celtic Beaten in Floodlit Match|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g0JAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3942%2C5356791|date=26 February 1953|newspaper=The Herald|location=Glasgow|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>

Up until the 1960s planning difficulties continued, culminating in lack of development of the ground being cited as the reason for failure of Newcastle United to secure the right to host a group stage of the upcoming [[1966 World Cup]] following political disputes.<ref name=officialsitehistory2>[http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/StJamesParkDetail/0,,10278~224170,00.html Newcastle United official site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224072050/http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/StJamesParkDetail/0,,10278~224170,00.html |date=24 February 2008 }} St James' Park Story, Part 2</ref>

In the late 1960s further attempts were made to develop the site, and the council proposed a multi-use sports development of St. James' Park. This was rejected as not financially viable. Plans were drawn up by the club for a move to a stadium in [[Gosforth]],<ref name=officialsitehistory2/><ref name=toonarama1970/> or even a groundshare with [[Sunderland A.F.C.]] in a new stadium on Wearside.<ref name=toonarama1970>[http://www.toonarama.co.uk/seasons/1970s/1970-71/united_fans_1970-71.html toonarama.co.uk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621162457/http://www.toonarama.co.uk/seasons/1970s/1970-71/united_fans_1970-71.html/ |date=21 June 2017 }} 1970–17 season, 'Stadia'</ref> These plans were withdrawn in 1971 after agreement to redevelop St James' Park was finally reached, after mediation by the then [[Minister for Sport]], [[Denis Howell, Baron Howell|Denis Howell]]. In 1972, work started on the East Stand, 50 years after it was last permitted to be developed.<ref name=officialsitehistory2/> In 1978 the Leazes End was demolished, but relegation and financial difficulties meant the new stand was not built.<ref name=officialsitehistory2/>

[[File:SJP Tunnel.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Entrance to the pitch from beneath the Milburn Stand.]]
Investigations following the [[Bradford City stadium fire]] in 1985 identified a need to replace the ageing West Stand, which was demolished in 1986. Its replacement, the Milburn Stand, was named in honour of [[Jackie Milburn]] and opened in 1987.<ref name=officialsitehistory3>{{cite web|url=http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/StJamesParkDetail/0,,10278~226535,00.html|title=Newcastle United official site] St James' Park Story, Part 2|access-date=3 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307201620/http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/StJamesParkDetail/0,,10278~226535,00.html|archive-date=7 March 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Further development was again shelved for lack of finance.

===Sir John Hall era===
Until the early 1990s the ground had achieved only modest expansion under various owners, with plans dogged by disputes and lack of finance due to poor on-field performances. In January 1992 businessman Sir [[John Hall (English businessman)|John Hall]], who had led the ''Magpie Group'' consortium in a hostile takeover of the club, was installed as chairman. Sir John used his experience in property development to rapidly gain approval and invested heavily in the stadium<ref name=officialsitehistory3/> with finances gained from success under new manager [[Kevin Keegan]].

====1993 expansion====
The Leazes End that had been demolished but not replaced was finally rebuilt, and opened as the Sir John Hall stand for Newcastle's debut season in the [[Premier League|Premiership]] in 1993. The Gallowgate End was rebuilt, the Milburn Stand modified, and a new pitch, drainage and floodlights were installed. With all four corners filled in<ref name=stadiumfootballcouk/> with seating, by 1995 the stadium had reached a capacity of 36,610.<ref name=officialsitehistory3/>

====Proposed Leazes Park development====
[[File:St. James' Park steps Newcastle.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The St. James' Park steps, outside the main stand on Barrack Road where many sports journalists deliver press reports about the club. The stadium main entrance is to the right of the steps (the blue structure).]]
As the expanded stadium still received full houses due to continuing success of the team led by the returning [[Kevin Keegan]], in 1995, plans were submitted by the club to relocate to [[Leazes Park]] to the north. A new £65m<ref name=officialsitehistory3/> purpose-built 55,000-seat stadium would be erected, less than two pitch lengths away from the original, but rotated, which would be similar to the [[San Siro]] in Italy.<ref name=telegraph1997/> The old ground would be redeveloped to be used by [[Newcastle Falcons]] Rugby Club, as part of the wider envisaged 'Sporting Club of Newcastle', with basketball and ice-hockey teams purchased by Sir John Hall.

Leazes Park was historically part of the [[Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne|Town Moor]], owned by the Freemen of Newcastle,<ref name=tlionews9/><ref name=independentmoor/> and protected by the [[Newcastle-upon-Tyne Town Moor Act 1988]]. The City council initially invited the planning proposal amid suggestions that the club might move to a site in [[Gateshead]],<ref name=tlionews9/><ref name=independentmoor/> a 75,000-seat stadium next to [[Gateshead International Stadium]],<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_19961013/ai_n14456089 Sunday Mirror] Barcelona, Man Utd, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Arsenal and Keegan's..., 13 October 2006</ref> but it led to political debate<ref name=independentmoor/> and opposition. A pressure group "No Business on the Moor"<ref name=telegraph1997/><ref name=tlionews9/><ref name=independentmoor>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19961220/ai_n14072148 The Independent] Newcastle divided as Toon army aim to camp on the moor, 20 December 1996</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.toonarama.co.uk/seasons/1990s/1996-97/1996-97_diary_mar.html toonarama.co.uk] 1996 season, 'Summary'</ref> eventually gathered a 36,000-petition signature,<ref name=telegraph1997/><ref name=tlionews9>[http://www.tlio.org.uk/news/news9.html The Land is Ours] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921161030/http://www.tlio.org.uk/news/news9.html |date=21 September 2007 }} campaign group newsletter issue 9 July 1997</ref> equal to the then-current stadium capacity. Opposition also came from a conservation group ''Friends of Leazes Park'' led by Dolly Potter.<ref name="conn">{{cite news
 | title = Newcastle's bond holders sacrificed on altar of profit
 | first = David
 | last = Conn
 | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/newcastles-bond-holders-sacrificed-on--altar-of-profit-742693.html
 | newspaper = The Independent
 | location = London
 | date = 21 October 1999
| page = 2 }}</ref> The club proposed to mitigate the loss of the moor land with proposals for a land trade-off with landscaping of land freed up by scaling down of the existing stadium restoring the views of the historic park from Leazes Terrace.<ref name=telegraph1997>{{cite news
 | title = Newcastle sign up for stadium battle
 | newspaper = The Daily Telegraph
 | location = London
 | date = 29 March 1997
}}</ref>

It became clear that the relocation plan would not gain planning permission without a potentially long-running public enquiry.<ref name=officialsitehistory3/><ref name="IStructE">IStructE The Structural Engineer Volume 77/No 21, 2 November 1999. James's Park a redevelopment challenge</ref> To quickly satisfy demand, the club decided to expand the current St James' Park instead.

===Freddy Shepherd era===
In 1997 Sir John Hall stepped down as chairman (remaining as a director until 2007, now life president of the club), and existing shareholder and board director [[Freddy Shepherd]] became chairman.

====1998 expansion====
[[File:St James Park.jpg|thumb|right|Post 1998 expansion]]
Following the withdrawal of the Leazes Park plan, the club proposed expansion of St James' Park to over 52,000 capacity, through major construction of a second tier over the Milburn Stand, Leazes End and adjoining corner, adding to a structure that was itself just four years old.<ref name=IStructE/> After a refusal by the Secretary of State to take the application to an enquiry, permission was obtained in July 1998.<ref name=officialsitehistory3/> For minimal disruption to [[seating capacity]] during construction, the project required 3-day shutdowns of work on home match days. 750 seats were lost during construction.<ref name=IStructE/> During this expansion, executive boxes in the East Stand were demolished<ref name=stadiumfootballcouk/> and replaced by seating blocks from pitch level up to the existing rows, in a [[mirror image]] of the Milburn Stand. The [[luxury box|executive boxes]] were transferred to the new Milburn/Leazes complex, with more added to the Gallowgate End. During development, the additional stand and roof was constructed while leaving the existing [[cantilever]] roof intact until the last possible moment<ref name=IStructE/> These developments increased capacity to approximately 52,143. The construction was completed in July 2000 at a cost of £42 million.<ref name=officialsitehistory3/><ref name="highbeamdotcom">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110826052725/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-898836331.html The Architects' Journal] Existing stadiums: St James' Park, Newcastle. 1 July 2005</ref> Ironically, after opposition from local residents to the relocation plan, the expansion of the current ground at the Leazes End has further reduced the view of Leazes Park from Leazes Terrace, although this is now student accommodation.

====Save Our Seats campaign====
The 1998 redevelopment caused controversy when the club informed 4,000 season-ticket-holding fans that their seat prices would be increased to corporate rates, with the option of paying these or being moved to seats in the proposed expanded sections. Half of these fans were 'bondholders', who had paid £500 in 1994 which they asserted guaranteed them an option on their specific seat for 10 years.<ref name="conn"/> Some fans resisted, and after two high-court cases and a Save Our Seats campaign, the club was allowed to move the fans, under an exceptional circumstances clause. As a gesture of goodwill, the club did not pursue the fans for legal costs awarded over their insured limit.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/1038635.stm | title = United waive fans' court costs | work = BBC Sport Online | date = 24 November 2000 }}</ref>

====Casino plans====
In late 2003, preempting the [[Gambling Act 2005|relaxation of the UK gambling laws]], the club signed a deal with [[MGM Mirage]] to hand over the land above St James Metro station,<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Is this the future for UK gambling?
 | first = Rachel
 | last = Stevenson
 | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/is-this-the-future-for-uk-gambling-732252.html
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090214020607/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/is-this-the-future-for-uk-gambling-732252.html
 | url-status = dead
 | archive-date = 14 February 2009
| newspaper = The Independent
 | location = London
 | date = 15 June 2004
}}</ref> behind the Gallowgate End, in return for an equity investment, to build a jointly run complex centred on a {{convert|1000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} [[Regional casino|Super Casino]].<ref name=prnnews>{{cite press release | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/11-19-2003/0002061486&EDATE= |agency = Press News Wire | title =  MGM MIRAGE and Newcastle United plc Announce Joint Venture Agreement | date =  19 November 2003 | publisher = MGM Mirage }}</ref> These plans failed when the proposed number of super casinos was reduced to one in the UK, and in January 2008 £5 million was repaid by the club to MGM.

====Gallowgate additions====
[[File:Gallowgate End.jpg|thumb|Image of the East and Gallowgate Stands at St James' Park]]In 2005 the Gallowgate was redeveloped, with a new bar being built beneath the upper tier of the Gallowgate End, named "''Shearer's'''" after Newcastle player [[Alan Shearer]]. During excavation underneath the stand during building work, the builders uncovered the original steps of the old Gallowgate End stand, which had simply been covered up when the stadium was fully renovated in 1993. These steps were removed for Shearer's Bar. The completion of the redevelopment of the Gallowgate saw the creation of Shearer's Bar, an expanded club shop, a club museum and a new box office.

====2007 proposed expansion====
{{See also|Ground improvements at English football Stadia}}
It was announced on 2 April 2007 that the club intend to submit plans for a new £300million development of the stadium and surrounding areas, to include a major conference centre, hotels and luxury apartments.<ref>
{{cite news
  | title =Newcastle announce ground plans
  | work =BBC News Online | location=London
  | date =2 April 2007
| url =https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6517989.stm
  | access-date =2 April 2007 }}
</ref> The proposals also include a plan to increase the Gallowgate End, eventually taking the capacity to 60,000.

This expansion would be funded by the city council and linked to the redevelopment of the land behind the stand and over the Metro Station, which had previously been earmarked for the casino project. Expansion of the Gallowgate end involves difficulties due to the proximity of a road, Strawberry Place, and issues surrounding reinforcement of the underground St James Metro station.

===Mike Ashley era===
The 2007 redevelopment plans announced under the previous regime were put on hold following the takeover of the club and its plc holding company by owner [[Mike Ashley (businessman)|Mike Ashley]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ashley-to-slash-newcastle-price-947366.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ashley-to-slash-newcastle-price-947366.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Ashley to slash Newcastle price | first=Michael | last=Walker | date=1 October 2008 | access-date=24 May 2010}}</ref> One of the first noticeable changes in the stadium in the new era was the removal of advertising mounted underneath the roofs (facing the crowd) for Shepherd Offshore and Cameron Hall Developments, companies associated with the previous regime. A large advertising sign for [[Sports Direct]] appeared on the lip of the roof of the Gallowgate, visible from the pitch.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

A full review of the club performed by the new management team concluded that stadium expansion was not a priority. For the start of the 2008–09 season, the away section was moved from the corner of the Leazes stand/Milburn stand to the other end of the Leazes stand, where it abuts the East stand, at the same upper level. The area of seats designated as the family enclosure were expanded, and certain corporate areas saw increased pricing.

The first home game of the 2008–09 season, at 3&nbsp;pm on a Saturday, saw the lowest-ever [[Premier League]] attendance at the expanded ground, of 47,711,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/newcastle-united-1-bolton-wanderers-0-predator-owen-strikes-as-reality-bites-at-newcastle-907883.html | newspaper=The Independent | location=London | first=Michael | last=Walker | title=Newcastle United 1 Bolton Wanderers 0: Predator Owen strikes as reality bites at Newcastle | date=25 August 2008}}</ref> resulting in cash turnstiles.{{clarify|date=October 2010}} It was speculated at the time that this was due to the [[Great Recession]]; however, with the shock departure of [[Kevin Keegan]] before the next home game, future changes in attendances would be hard to attribute to this alone. The first game after Keegan's resignation, a league fixture against Hull on 13 September 2008, registered a crowd of 50,242<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7601892.stm Newcastle 1–2 Hull] BBC Sport, 13 September 2008</ref> amid protests against Ashley and Dennis Wise. This was followed by an attendance of 44,935<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7626928.stm Newcastle 1–2 Blackburn] BBC Sport, 27 September 2008</ref> on 27 September in a league fixture against [[Blackburn Rovers]], which followed a record low attendance of 20,577<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/7626827.stm https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/7626827.stm] BBC Sport, 24 September 2008</ref> on Wednesday, 24 September in a League Cup fixture, the lowest ever attendance for a competitive first-team match since the [[1992–93 in English football|1993 promotion to the top flight]],<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/nufc-results-reports/2008/09/25/newcastle-united-1-tottenham-hotspur-2-61634-21896700/ | title = Newcastle United 1, Tottenham Hotspur 2 | newspaper = The Journal | location = Newcastle | first = Luke | last = Edwards | date = 25 September 2008 | access-date = 27 September 2008 | archive-date = 15 October 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081015155100/http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/nufc-results-reports/2008/09/25/newcastle-united-1-tottenham-hotspur-2-61634-21896700/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> and a drop of over 4,000 from previous lows.

Although Newcastle's crowds inevitably fell in [[2009–10 in English football|2009–10]] as a result of their relegation and the fact that Britain was [[Late 2000s recession|still in recession]], the Magpies still attracted a modern-day record average attendance for a club at this level with their attendance for the season averaging at 43,383. They also became the first championship club to attract a league attendance of more than 50,000 at this level in the modern era, and ended the season promoted as champions of the [[Football League Championship]].

In October 2014, a scoreboard was installed in the far corner of the Sir John Hall Stand. The scoreboard was used for the first time on 18 October during a Premier League tie against Leicester City. However the game was delayed one hour, due to damage caused by strong wind to the paneling surrounding the scoreboard. Newcastle United later stated on their website: "Supporter safety was of paramount importance."

====Renaming of the stadium====
On 10 November 2011, Newcastle United announced that the stadium would officially be renamed '''Sports Direct Arena''', as a temporary measure to "showcase the [[naming rights|sponsorship opportunity]] to interested parties", whilst looking for a sponsor for possible future stadium re-branding.  According to the club, the St James' Park title was dropped as not being "commercially attractive".<ref name=BBCrename>{{cite news|title=Newcastle rename St James' Park the Sports Direct Arena|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15668207|publisher=BBC News|access-date=10 November 2011|date=9 November 2011}}</ref>

Previously, in 2009, the club had announced plans to sell the naming rights for the stadium. After protests about the possible loss of the name of the stadium, which included the tabling of an [[early day motion]] in Parliament, the club clarified the following week that the move would not involve the loss of the name St James' Park altogether, citing the example of 'SportsDirect.com@StJamesPark' as a potential stadium rights package.<ref name=BBC8339594>{{cite news
 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/8339594.stm
 |title=Stadium name row reaches Commons
 |work=BBC News
 |date=3 November 2009
|access-date=3 November 2009
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106095126/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/8339594.stm
 |archive-date=6 November 2009
|url-status=live
}}</ref><ref name=Guardian2Nov09StadiumName>{{cite news
 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/nov/03/st-james-park-renaming-newcastle-united
 |title=St James' Park name will not be lost altogether, insists Derek Llambias
 |newspaper=The Guardian
 |date=3 November 2009
|access-date=3 November 2009
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107025506/http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/nov/03/st-james-park-renaming-newcastle-united
 |archive-date=7 November 2009
|location=London
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> The following day, the club announced that the stadium would be known as ''sportsdirect.com @ St James' Park Stadium'' temporarily until the end of the season, to showcase the idea behind the package, until the new sponsor was announced.<ref name=BBC8342406>{{cite news
 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/8342406.stm
 |title=Newcastle reveal new stadium name
 |publisher=BBC News
 |date=4 November 2009
|access-date=4 November 2009
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105044920/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/8342406.stm
 |archive-date=5 November 2009
|url-status=live
}}</ref> The stadium's official renaming as the Sports Direct Arena, or SDA, caused considerable perturbation amongst supporters of the team.

On 9 October 2012, [[payday loan]] company [[Wonga.com]] became Newcastle United's main commercial sponsor and purchased the stadium naming rights. They subsequently announced that the St James' Park name would be restored as part of the deal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Newcastle United sponsorship deal with Wonga sees stadium becoming St James' Park again|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/9596399/Newcastle-United-sponsorship-deal-with-Wonga-sees-stadium-becoming-St-James-Park-again.html|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20121010035657/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/9596399/Newcastle-United-sponsorship-deal-with-Wonga-will-see-St-James-Park-reinstated-as-stadium-name.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 October 2012|publisher=Telegraph|access-date=9 October 2012}}</ref>

===Saudi-led era===
Following the [[2021 takeover of Newcastle United F.C.|takeover]] of [[Newcastle United]], the new ownership would remove the Sports Direct sponsorship all over the stadium with co owner [[Amanda Staveley]] claiming she was "looking forward" to removing the Sports Direct branding to get new sponsors with the signs being removed on 6 December.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/12488399/newcastle-begin-removing-sports-direct-branding-from-stands-at-st-james-park | work=[[Sky Sports]] | title=Sports Direct sinage taken down at St James' Park | date=6 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4184454/2021/12/06/newcastle-removing-sports-direct-adverts-at-st-james-park/ | title=Newcastle removing Sports Direct adverts at St. James' Park| first=George | last=Caulkin | date=6 December 2021}}</ref> With the removal of the sponsor in the stadium former owner Mike Ashley would take legal action against Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi after Ashley alleged that both Staveley and Ghodoussi breached their agreement to continue to sponsor the stadium until the end of the [[2021–22 Premier League|2021–22 season]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jan/21/mike-ashley-takes-legal-action-against-newcastle-co-owner-amanda-staveley | work=The Guardian | title=Mike Ashley takes legal action against Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley| first=Louise | last=Taylor | date=21 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/12522355/mike-ashley-former-newcastle-owner-suing-amanda-staveley-for-breaching-terms-of-10m-loan | work=[[Sky Sports]] | title=Ashley suing Staveley for breaching terms of 10£ loan | date=21 January 2022}}</ref>

Prior to the beginning of the 2024-25 season, the "Newcastle United" signage, located above the East Stand, was restored to the original font that was used prior to the Sports Direct sponsorship.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-04 |title=The last sign (stain) of Mike Ashley now replaced at St James’ Park |url=https://www.themag.co.uk/2024/07/the-last-sign-stain-of-mike-ashley-now-replaced-at-st-james-park/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=NUFC The Mag}}</ref>

==Stadium description==

===Name===

====Official names====
[[File:St. James Park sign Newcastle.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The sign outside St. James' Park main entrance]]
St James' Park is spelt with ''James<nowiki>'</nowiki>'' featuring one ''[[s]]'' and an [[apostrophe]] mark, as seen on the signage of the St James' Park steps outside the entrance to the stadium, and signage inside the adjacent Metro station. The use of an apostrophe is in contrast with the name of the Metro station itself, which is signed as [[St James Metro station|''St James'' Metro station]], and with the [[Road name#Signage|street signs]]<ref name="BBC7426717"/> of the nearby ''St James'' Street<ref>{{Coord|54.9757788|-1.6199040}}</ref> and ''St James'' Terrace.<ref>{{Coord|54.9758527|-1.6202796}}</ref> Further, the use of one ''[[s]]'' and an [[apostrophe]] mark differs from the common convention of adding a second ''[[s]]'' to monosyllabic possessives ending in s, as is the case with the well-known public space in London: [[St James's Park]].

The [[full stop]] after the ''St'' giving St. James' Park is both included and omitted by many sources, including the club's official website address information.<ref name="OfficialSiteFactfileAddress">{{cite web
 |title        = Modern St James' Park in detail
 |work         = Official club website, Club Factfile page
 |url          = http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubFactfile/0,,10278,00.html
 |access-date   = 11 February 2008
|publisher    = [[Newcastle United F.C.]]
 |quote        = Stadium Address: Newcastle United Football Club: St James' Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 4ST
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080830021114/http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubFactfile/0,,10278,00.html
 |archive-date = 30 August 2008
|url-status     = dead
 |df           = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref name="OfficialSiteTicketsAddress">{{cite web
 |title        = Newcastle United
 |work         = Official club website, Tickets section, St. James' Guide
 |url          = http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/StJamesGuide/0,,10278,00.html
 |access-date   = 11 February 2008
|publisher    = [[Newcastle United F.C.]]
 |quote        = General Info, Address: St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4ST
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080907094839/http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/StJamesGuide/0,,10278,00.html
 |archive-date = 7 September 2008
|url-status     = dead
 |df           = dmy-all
}}</ref>

Post-millennium it has been debated both whether the written name should include an [[apostrophe]] mark after St James,<ref name="BBC7426717">{{cite news
|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7426717.stm
|title=What's in a name: St James
|publisher=[[BBC News]]
|date=29 May 2008
|access-date=11 February 2008
|format=embedded video (length:5.02)
|quote=The apostrophe debate surrounding Newcastle United's football ground continues to get fans heading for their grammar books.
}}</ref> and, if it does, whether the official written form should include an extra 's' after the apostrophe.<ref name="BBCTyne30May08Name">{{cite news
|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2008/05/30/st_james_apostrophe_feature.shtml
|title=St James' or St James's?
|work=[[BBC Tyne]]
|orig-year=30 May 2008|date=4 June 2008
|access-date=11 February 2008
|quote=What's in a name? Should Newcastle United's stadium be St James' Park or St. James's Park?...The sign on the wall of the stadium reads St James' Park [this statement contradicts an image used in the article, in which a full stop is included after the St], but is that right?...The question about whether the Toon's stadium should be written as St James' or St James's is certainly a talking point...[Dr Alan Firth, senior lecturer in applied linguistics at Newcastle University]:..."We would say that the apostrophe needs to be there because it's the park of St James. But there's variability, It's optional whether you have s apostrophe or s apostrophe s. You can choose either and both are correct."
}}</ref> Pronunciation of the name with a second 's' sound or not differs between both the local public and journalists, and is similarly debated.<ref name="BBC7426717"/>

In May 2008 [[BBC Look North (North East and Cumbria)|BBC Look North]] examined the case for adding an extra 's', to denote the ground is "the park of St James".<ref name="BBC7426717"/> The club stated that the ground is named after its neighbouring street, St James Street, which predates the ground,<ref name="BBC7426717"/> although it was pointed out the road sign of that street, and that of the adjacent St James Terrace, did not feature apostrophes.<ref name="BBC7426717"/> The BBC stated that both local newspapers ''[[The Evening Chronicle]]'' and ''[[The Journal (Newcastle upon Tyne newspaper)|The Journal]]'' write the name with a second 's', reinstating it partially in response to reader complaints after a period of publishing stories without it.<ref name="BBC7426717"/>

[[File:St James Metro station 04.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The name of the Metro station as displayed in [[St James Metro station]]]]
The club insisted the name is pronounced without a second 's', whilst it was asserted by the BBC that older fans, in particular, pronounce it with two.<ref name="BBC7426717"/>

A professor of applied linguistics of [[Newcastle University]] stated that if a second 's' was added to the name, it has to ultimately be pronounced in speech.<ref name="BBC7426717"/> The BBC went on to state that according to the [[Apostrophe Protection Society]], if the ground is named as the "Park of St James", the name of the ground is correctly written as St. James's Park, with the second 's' pronounced.

Commenting on the written form on [[Radio Newcastle]] a week after the BBC story, a different senior lecturer in applied linguistics also of Newcastle University stated that if the name is to denote "the park of St James", the written form should feature an apostrophe, but the use of an additional 's' after it is optional and both are correct.<ref name="BBCTyne30May08Name"/>

Match-day programmes printed up until the late 1940s have written the name as ''St. James's Park''{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}}. According to the club historian, the oldest memorabilia in the club museum refers to the ground as being pronounced without a second 's'.<ref name="BBC7426717"/> However, a match-day programme dating from 1896, reprinted in the match-day programme of a home match against [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]<ref name="BBC7426717"/> (23 December 2007<ref>[https://www.fastscore.com/england/championship_2009-2010/head-to-head?team_a=615&team_b=580 FastScore.com Head to Head between Newcastle United and Derby County], accessed 12 October 2020</ref>) depicts the stadium name as St. James's Park.<ref name="BBC7426717"/>

Other sources also support the idea that the name should have no apostrophe as found in the name of the adjacent St James Street<ref name="ISBN1857951913">{{cite book
|last=Leslie
|first=John
|author2=Jack Leslie
 |title=Down Our Streets: Newcastle's Street Names Explored
|date=25 November 2003
|publisher=City of Newcastle upon Tyne Education and Libraries Directorate, Tyne Bridge Publishing, www.tynebridgepublishing.co.uk
|isbn=1-85795-191-3
|page=27
|chapter=North of Blackett Street
|quote=The burgesses allowed part of this land to be used for building purposes from the 18th century and in 1895 the St James Park Football Ground was built on the Leazes for the newly formed Newcastle United Football Club
}}</ref>

====Nicknames====
The stadium is known by its initials, SJP, or as St James'. In reflection of the early use of the site, it is also often referred to as Gallowgate, distinct from similarly unofficially named Gallowgate End, the name of the south stand.

===Location===
[[File:Newcastle tor in chinatown.jpg|250px|thumb|View of the Gallowgate End through the [[Chinatown, Newcastle#Chinese arch|Chinatown Arch]]]]The stadium's location is close to the city centre, 500&nbsp;m roughly north of [[Newcastle railway station|Central station]], the main railway station of the city. The stadium is bordered by Strawberry Place behind the Gallowgate, Barrack Road in front of the main entrance, a car park to the north and Leazes Terrace to the East. Further south is [[St James Metro station|St James station]], a terminus station of the [[Tyne & Wear Metro]] line to the east, although the main Metro interchange at [[Monument Metro station|Monument station]], is situated only 250&nbsp;m to the east.

=== Architecture ===
The Milburn stand is the 'main' stand of the stadium, housing the main entrance, lifts and escalators behind a glass fronted [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]]. The dugouts and player's tunnel is located in the traditional position of the middle of the main stand. Behind the seating terraces of the stands, the Milburn/Leazes structure contains four concourse levels, the Gallowgate End has three concourse levels, and the East stand has two concourse levels.<ref name="officialsitestadiumpage" />

[[File:SJP0124.JPG|thumb|250px|right|Leazes End and north east Corner, showing height difference in new and old stands]]
The stadium has an asymmetrical appearance from the air<ref name="worldstadiaddotcom" /> and from some angles from ground level, due to the discrepancy in height between the sides and ends of the ground. The height difference between the Leazes/Milburn complex and the East/Gallowgate stands allows views of the city centre from many seating positions inside the ground.<ref name="footballgroundguide" /> Further expansion of the Gallowgate End could potentially produce a more balanced horseshoe arrangement of equal height stands, similar to that of [[Celtic Park]].<ref>[[:File:Celtic Park New.jpg]]</ref>

The Milburn stand and Leazes end are double tiered, separated by a level of executive boxes; The East Stand and Gallowgate End are single tiered, with boxes also at the top of the Gallowgate. The three newest sides, the Milburn Stand, Leazes End and Gallowgate End are of structural steel frame and [[pre-cast concrete]] construction.<ref name="officialsitestadiumpage" /> In common with many new or expanded British football stadiums, the traditional box shaped 'stands' were augmented in the 1993 expansion by filling in the corners to maximise available seating,<ref name="stadiumfootballcouk" /> up to a uniform height. The Milburn Stand and Leazes End now rise higher than this level, covered by a one piece cantilevered glass roof. A further smaller stand section rises above this level behind the Gallowgate End.<ref name="officialsitestadiumpage" />

The 1998 built steel truss cantilever roof above the Milburn/Leazes complex is the largest cantilever structure in Europe<ref name="IStructE" /><ref name="highbeamdotcom" /> at {{convert|64.5|m}},<ref name="officialsitestadiumpage" /> eclipsing the {{convert|58|m}} cantilevers of [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]'s [[Old Trafford]].<ref name="highbeamdotcom" />

===Orientation===
{{multiple image
| caption_align     = center
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| total_width       = 380
| header_align      = center
| footer_align      = left
| image1            = StJamesParkPanorama.jpg
| image2            = Premier League Newcastle-Arsenal 2023-05-07 37.jpg
| footer            = Panorama of St James' Park
}}

The stadium has a rough pitch alignment of north easterly. The four main stands are as follows:

* Gallowgate End (previously known as the Newcastle Brown Ale Stand and before that the Exhibition Stand), at the southern end of the ground, named unofficially for its proximity to the old City [[gallows]], and officially after the long association with the club of sponsor [[Scottish and Newcastle Breweries]];
* Leazes End (previously the Sir John Hall Stand), at the northern end of the ground, named for its proximity to [[Leazes Park]], and after the club's Life President [[John Hall (English businessman)|Sir John Hall]]; The Singing Section was positioned in Level 7 of this stand.
* Milburn Stand, the main stand, on the west side of the ground. Named after 1950s footballer [[Jackie Milburn]]
* East Stand, whose name is self-explanatory, and the smallest stand of the four. Following the death of [[Sir Bobby Robson]], a plan to rename the East Stand the Sir Bobby Robson Stand (or the Robson Stand) was drawn up. As yet, this has not been made official.

The unofficial new home of the singing section is located in the "Strawberry Corner" (South East Corner, located next to the Strawberry Pub) - between the Gallowgate End & East Stand.

===Capacity===
{{See also|List of English football stadia by capacity}}

The stadium has a maximum [[seating capacity]] of 52,350,<ref name="www.nufc.co.uk">{{cite web |title=History of our home |url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Club/History/StJamesPark |website=Newcastle United Football Club}}</ref> making it:

* the [[List of football stadiums in England|ninth-largest club football stadium in England]], behind [[Wembley Stadium]], [[Old Trafford]], [[London Stadium]], [[Tottenham Hotspur Stadium]], [[Anfield]], [[Emirates Stadium]], [[City of Manchester Stadium|Etihad Stadium]] and [[Everton Stadium]];
* the eleventh-largest football stadium in the United Kingdom overall when including the [[Millennium Stadium]] (the national stadium of Wales), and [[Celtic Park]] (a Scottish club football ground);
* the [[List of stadiums in the United Kingdom by capacity|thirteenth largest stadium in the United Kingdom]] overall when including the rugby venues of [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] in England, [[Murrayfield Stadium|Murrayfield]] in Scotland.

Developments since 1993 have ensured the lower tier of seating of the ground still forms a continuous bowl around the pitch, below the level of the executive boxes. The club record attendance is 68,386<ref name="officialsitestadiumpage" /> set in 1930 against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], when standing was allowed on the terraces.

=== Seating layout ===
The current stadium design offers an unobstructed view of the pitch from all areas of the ground. The Milburn stand is the location of the directors box and press boxes, and the main TV camera point for televised games.

Away fans for league matches were originally accommodated in the upper level, in the north west corner,<ref name="footballgroundguide" /> which can hold a maximum of 3,000 fans.<ref name="officialsitestadiumguide">[http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Travel/0,,10278,00.html Newcastle United official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307140404/http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Travel/0,,10278,00.html|date=7 March 2008}} Ticket section stadium guide</ref> However, plans were made at the end of the 2007–2008 season to relocate the away supporters to the far end of the upper level of the Leazes End. This location has attracted criticism due to the poor view offered by being so far from the pitch due to the height of the stand, and the 14 flights of stairs to reach the upper level.<ref name="footballgroundguide" /> For [[FA Cup]] matches the lower section of the corner is also used.<ref name="footballgroundguide" />

The traditional home of the more vocal fans is considered the Gallowgate End, in the same vein as The Kop for [[Liverpool F.C.]]{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} The Gallowgate End was the end that the team attacked in the second half if they win the coin toss. In recent years there has been unofficial fan movement to create a singing section in the Leazes End upper tier, partly to counter the away fans, and partly to recreate some atmosphere lost since the recent expansion over 36,000.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} This group of fans call themselves the 'Toon Ultras'. Level 7 of the Milburn Stand houses the official Family Enclosure. Due to the expansion of the Family Enclosure, many fans from the singing section have relocated to the Strawberry Corner.

In 2013 a group began to help 'Bring Back The Noise' as St.James Park, this being branded as 'Division '92'. This group first began at home to Metalist Kharkiv in the Europa League. From that date the group began to move from strength to strength with new aims set to develop a singing section within the ground for all league games.

===Facilities===
As well as the normal Premiership football stadium facilities, the stadium contains conference and banqueting facilities. These comprise a total of 6 suites with a total capacity of 2,050, including the 1,000 capacity ''Bamburgh Suite'' containing a stage, dance floor and 3 bars, and the ''New Magpie Room'', on two levels with a pitch view.<ref>[http://www.conferences-uk.org.uk/Newcastle.asp?venue=Newcastle%20United%20St%20James%20Park%20Stadium www.conferences-uk.org.uk] St James Park conference venue information</ref>

The stadium houses premium priced seating areas designated into clubs, each with their own access to a bar and lounge behind the stand for use before the match and at half-time.<ref>[http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchdayPrices/0,,10278,00.html Newcastle United official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307192359/http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchdayPrices/0,,10278,00.html |date=7 March 2008 }} Matchday Prices page</ref> The ''Platinum Club'', ''Bar 1892'', ''Sovereign Club'' and the ''Black & White Club'' are in the Milburn Stand, and the ''Sports Bar'' is in the Leazes End<ref name="footballgroundguide">[http://www.footballgroundguide.com/newcastle_united/ footballgroundguide.co.uk] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102154132/http://www.footballgroundguide.com/newcastle_united/ |date=2 November 2014 }} General stadium info page with a picture of the view from the 'away' corner</ref>

The Gallowgate End houses ''Shearer's'', a sports bar and lounge, which is effectively another city centre nightspot in Newcastle, accessible only from the exterior of the ground. The bar is named after [[Alan Shearer]]. The Gallowgate also houses a large club shop, a police station.<ref name="officialsitestadiumpage" /> The Milburn stand houses the main box-office. In the south west corner there is also a cafe and a club museum.

====Statues and memorials====

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! image
! subject 
! location 
! date
! artist
|-
| [[File:Jackie Milburn statue, St James' Park SE corner, 9 February 2013 (cropped).jpg|120px]]
| [[Jackie Milburn]]<br>(1924–1988)
| South-east corner of St. James' Park
| 1991
| [[Susanna Robinson]]
|-
| [[File:Bobby Robson statue, Newcastle.jpg|120px]]
| [[Bobby Robson]]<br>(1933–2009)
| South-west corner of St. James' Park
| 2012
| [[Tom Maley (sculptor)|Tom Maley]]<ref name="BBCbr">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-17854840  |title=Sir Bobby Robson statue unveiled at Newcastle United's ground|date=6 May 2012|access-date=13 June 2019|work=BBC News}}</ref>
|-
| [[File:Joe Harvey Memorial, St James' Park.jpg|120px]]
| [[Joe Harvey (footballer)|Joe Harvey]]<br>(1918–1989)
| Gallowgate Wall
| 2014
| John McNamee Jnr
|-
| [[File:Statue Shearer Newcastle Tyne 4.jpg|120px]]
| [[Alan Shearer]]<br>(1970–)
| South-west corner of St. James' Park
| 2016 
| [[Tom Maley (sculptor)|Tom Maley]]<ref name="BBCas">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-37339832|title=Alan Shearer statue unveiled at St James' Park|date=12 September 2016|access-date=13 June 2019|work=BBC News}}</ref>

|}

==Usage==

===Club football===
Newcastle United have played their home league matches continuously at St James' Park.  The stadium had not featured a scoreboard or big screen of any kind since the 1993 expansion displaced one from The Gallowgate end, although in 2007 bright red digital time displays were installed near the corner flags at pitch level. A big screen for the stadium was mooted as a possibility as part of a proposed new stadium branding exercise for 2010.<ref name=Guardian2Nov09StadiumName/> On 18 October 2014 a large scoreboard was erected onto the side of the Leazes End, adjacent to the Milburn Stand. The first day of its use in a game versus [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] saw a one-hour delay to kick-off over safety concerns around the screen due to high winds.

===International football===
[[File:Bulgaria Romania Euro 96 A.jpg|thumb|right|[[UEFA Euro 1996|Euro 96]] game [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]] v [[Romania national football team|Romania]]]]
The stadium hosted three matches during [[1996 UEFA European Football Championship|Euro 1996]]. Along with [[Elland Road]] it was assigned to Group B, which comprised [[France national football team|France]], [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]], [[Romania national football team|Romania]] and [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]].

The stadium was one of several venues used as temporary home grounds for the [[England national football team|England]] team while the redevelopment of [[Wembley Stadium]] took place.<ref>{{cite news
|date=29 May 2007
|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6676421.stm
|title=End of the road for England
|publisher=BBC Sport
|access-date=29 May 2007
| first=Paul
| last=Fletcher}}</ref>

St James' Park also hosted some football matches in the [[2012 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=sjp2012venue/>

The stadium hosted two international friendlies in September 2023 between [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]] and [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]] on the 8th, and Saudi Arabia and [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]] on the 12th.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Ed |date=2023-08-17 |title=Newcastle United announce Saudi Arabia friendlies at St James' Park |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/newcastle-united-saudi-arabia-friendlies-st-james-park-uefa-champions-league/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}}</ref>

England Women played against France in 2024, the first time The Lionesses have played at St James park 

The stadium will host matches in [[UEFA Euro 2028]].

====Matches====
{| class="wikitable"
!width=130|Date
!width=110|
!width=60| Result
!width=110|
!width=180| Competition
|-
| 18 March 1901 || rowspan="4" align="right" | {{fb-rt|ENG}} ||align=center| 6–0 || {{fb|WAL|1807}} || rowspan="3" | [[British Home Championship]]
|-
| 6 April 1907 || align="center" | 1–1 || {{fb|SCO}} 
|-
| 15 November 1933 || align="center" | 1–2 || {{fb|WAL|1807}} 
|-
| 9 November 1938 || align="center" | 4–0 || {{fb|NOR}} || Friendly
|-
| 10 June 1996 || align=right| {{fb-rt|ROM}} ||align=center| 0–1 || {{fb|FRA|1974}} || rowspan="3" | [[UEFA Euro 1996|Euro 1996]]
|-
| 13 June 1996 || align=right| {{fb-rt|BUL}} ||align=center| 1–0 || {{fb|ROM}} 
|-
| 18 June 1996 || align=right| {{fb-rt|FRA|1974}} ||align=center| 3–1 || {{fb|BUL}} 
|-
| 5 September 2001 || rowspan="3" align="right" | {{fb-rt|ENG}} ||align=center| 2–0 || {{fb|ALB}} || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|World Cup 2002 Qualifying]]
|-
| 18 August 2004 || align="center" | 3–0 || {{fb|UKR}} || Friendly
|-
| 30 March 2005 || align="center" | 2–0 || {{fb|AZE}} || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|World Cup 2006 Qualifying]]
|-
| 26 July 2012 || align=right| {{fbu-rt|23|MEX}} ||align=center| 0–0 || {{fbu|23|KOR}} || rowspan="6" | [[2012 Olympics]]
|-
| 26 July 2012 || align=right| {{fbu-rt|23|GAB}} ||align=center| 1–1 || {{fbu|23|SUI}} 
|-
| 29 July 2012 || align=right| {{fbu-rt|23|JPN}} ||align=center| 1–0 || {{fbu|23|MAR}} 
|-
| 29 July 2012 || align=right| {{fbu-rt|23|ESP}} ||align=center| 0–1 || {{fbu|23|HON|1949}} 
|-
| 1 August 2012 || align=right| {{fbu-rt|23|BRA}} ||align=center| 3–0 || {{fbu|23|NZL}} 
|-
| 4 August 2012 || align=right| {{fbu-rt|23|BRA}} ||align=center| 3–2 || {{fbu|23|HON|1949}}
|-
|8 September 2023|| rowspan="2" align=right| {{nowrap|{{fb-rt|KSA}}}} ||align=center| 1–3 || {{fb|CRI}}|| rowspan="3"|Friendly
|-
|12 September 2023 || align=center| 0–1 || {{fb|KOR}}
|-
| 3 June 2024 || rowspan="1" align="right" | {{fb-rt|ENG}} ||align=center| 3–0 || {{fb|BIH}} 
|-
| 12 June 2028 || align=right| E3 ||align=center| – || E4 || rowspan="5" | [[UEFA Euro 2028|Euro 2028]]
|-
| 15 June 2028 || align=right| C2 ||align=center| – || C4
|-
| 17 June 2028 || align=right| F2 ||align=center| – || F4
|-
| 20 June 2028 || align=right| D2 ||align=center| – || D3
|-
| 25 June 2028 || align=right| Winner Group B ||align=center| – || 3rd Group A/D/E/F
|-
|}

===Pitch===
For football use, the pitch has the maximum international dimensions of 105 by 68 metres.<ref name=officialsitestadiumpage/>

===Rugby league===
On 30 and 31 May 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk/magic_weekend|title=Rugby League Tickets|website=www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk}}</ref> the stadium held the [[Magic Weekend|Super League Magic Weekend]]. St James' Park was chosen to host the event after the [[City of Manchester Stadium]], which had hosted the event annually since 2012, became unavailable.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/29138204|title=Magic Weekend 2015: Newcastle's St James' Park to host|work=BBC Sport |date=10 September 2014}}</ref>

The event was considered a success, with the 2015 event setting both single-day and aggregate attendance records for the event. The Magic Weekend returned to St James' Park in [[Super League XXI|2016]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rugby-league.com/article/33210/magic-weekend-returns-to-st|title=Magic Weekend returns to St James' Park for 2016 {{!}} Rugby-League.com|website=Rugby-League.com|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref> breaking the aggregate crowd record in the process, and returned once again for [[Super League XXII|2017]] and [[Super League XXIII|2018]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/magic-weekend-2017-thousands-expected-13037748|title=Magic Weekend 2017: Thousands expected in Newcastle for Rugby League showpiece|last=Southern|first=Keiran|date=19 May 2017|work=nechronicle|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref>

Magic Weekend returned to Newcastle in April 2021, for the [[Super League XXVI|2021 Season]], after previously been held at [[Anfield]] for the [[Super League XXIV|2019 Season]] and being cancelled for the [[Super League XXV|2020 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://superleague.co.uk/article/1445/dacia-magic-weekend---update |title= Magic Weekend 2020 Cancelled |publisher=superleague.co.uk|access-date=29 June 2020}}</ref> Magic continued to be played at Newcastle in 2022 and 2023, before being moved to [[Elland Road]], home of [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]], for the 2024 season, where it was renamed to "MAGIC WKND".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Magic Weekend Tickets |url=https://www.superleague.co.uk/tickets/magic-weekend |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=www.superleague.co.uk}}</ref>
It is going to be used again for MAGIC WKND 2025 on the 3&4 of May.

There have been three rugby league internationals played at St James' Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/venues/st-james--park/results.html|title=St James' Park - Results - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org}}</ref> The stadium is hosted the opening ceremony and opening game of the [[2021 Rugby League World Cup – Men’s tournament]], the first rugby league international to be played at the stadium for 110 years.
[[File:England @St James Park.jpg|thumb|300x300px|England rugby league fans create an England flag ahead of the launch of the [[2021 Rugby League World Cup]] at St James' Park]]
{| class="wikitable"
!width=30|Test
!width=150|Date
!width=190|
!width=50|Result
!width=190|
!width=50|Attendance
!width=160|Notes
|-
|1 || 23 January 1909 || {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Great Britain Lions|Northern Union]] || 15–5 || {{rl|AUS}} || 22,000 || [[1908–09 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain|1908–09]] [[The Ashes (rugby league)|Ashes series]]
|-
|2 || 8 November 1911 || {{rl|AUS}} || 19–10 || {{rl|GBR}} || 5,317 || [[1911–12 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain|1911–12]] [[The Ashes (rugby league)|Ashes series]]
|-
|3 || 15 October 2022 || {{rl|ENG}} || 60–6|| {{rl|SAM}} || 43,199 || [[2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup|2021]] [[Rugby League World Cup|Men's Rugby League World Cup]]
|}

===Rugby union===

====England national team====

On Friday 6 September 2019, [[England national rugby union team|England]] defeated [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]] in a [[2019 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches|warm-up match]] for the [[2019 Rugby World Cup]]. This was England's first Test match in Newcastle and first away from Twickenham (outside the World Cup) since 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/11490703/england-to-play-st-james-park-rugby-world-cup-warm-up-test|title=England to play at St James Park Rugby World Cup warm-up Test|date=5 September 2018|access-date=5 September 2018}}</ref>

====2015 Rugby World Cup====

The stadium hosted three [[2015 Rugby World Cup]] matches.<ref name=BBC28Jul09Rugby>{{cite news
 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8170488.stm
 |title=England will host 2015 World Cup
 |publisher=[[BBC Sport]]
 |date=28 July 2009
|access-date=15 September 2009
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803080622/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8170488.stm
 |archive-date=3 August 2009
|url-status=live
}}</ref> The first was a [[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B|Pool B]] match between [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]] and [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] on 3 October 2015, with South Africa winning 34 - 16 with 50,900 in attendance.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pool B, St James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne |url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match/14199#latest |access-date=8 October 2015 |work=Rugby World Cup |date=3 October 2015 |archive-date=8 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008153301/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match/14199#latest |url-status=dead }}</ref> The second was a [[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C|Pool C]] match between [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]] and [[Tonga national rugby union team|Tonga]] on 9 October 2015, with New Zealand winning 47 - 9 with 50,985 in attendance.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pool C, St James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, New Zealand v TONGA|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match/14217#latest|access-date=12 October 2015|work=Rugby World Cup|date=9 October 2015|archive-date=13 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013202136/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match/14217#latest|url-status=dead}}</ref> The third and final was a [[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B|Pool B]] match [[Samoa national rugby union team|Samoa]] and Scotland the next day with Scotland winning a close one 36 - 33 with 51,982 in attendance.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pool B, St James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne Samoa v Scotland, New Zealand v TONGA|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match/14203#latest|access-date=12 October 2015|work=Rugby World Cup|date=10 October 2015|archive-date=15 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015020935/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match/14203#latest|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
! Date
! Competition
!colspan=2| Home team
!colspan=2| Away team
! Attendance
|-
|3 October 2015 || [[2015 Rugby World Cup]] [[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B|Pool B]] || {{ru|RSA}} || 34 || {{ru|SCO}} || 16 || 50,900
|-
|9 October 2015 || [[2015 Rugby World Cup]] [[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C|Pool C]] || {{ru|NZL}} || 47 || {{ru|TON}} || 9 || 50,985
|-
|10 October 2015 || [[2015 Rugby World Cup]] [[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B|Pool B]] || {{ru|SAM}} || 33 || {{ru|SCO}} || 36 || 51,982
|}

====European professional club rugby====

In April 2017 the stadium was announced as the host for the 2019 finals of the [[European Rugby Challenge Cup]] and [[European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rugby Union: Champions Cup final heading to Bilbao in 2018|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/champions-cup-final-heading-bilbao-115739364.html|website=Yahoo! News|publisher=Omnisport|access-date=3 April 2017}}</ref>

====Newcastle Falcons====

On 21 November 2017 it was announced that [[Newcastle Falcons]] would take their [[Premiership Rugby]] match against [[Northampton Saints]] on 24 March 2018 to St James' Park. The match dubbed '''The Big One''' was the first Premiership game at the venue.<ref>{{cite web|title=Newcastle Falcons to play at St James' Park|url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/2017-2018/newcastle-falcons-play-st-james-park/|website=Aviva Premiership News|publisher=Premiership Rugby|access-date=21 November 2017}}</ref>

The Falcons would return the [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby|following year]] to host [[Sale Sharks]] on 23 March 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Big One Returns|url=https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/the-big-one-returns|website=Newcastle Falcons News|publisher=Newcastle Falcons|access-date=7 December 2018}}</ref>

===Charity matches===
As well as professional matches, the stadium has been the venue for several charity football matches, including [[testimonial match]]es for [[Alan Shearer]] and [[Peter Beardsley]]. The stadium was also the venue of the final of [[The Prince's Trust]] ''Challenge Trophy'', on 14 October 2007, between the [[Duke of Northumberland]] and [[Earl of Durham]] teams.<ref>[http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/Main%20Site%20v2/headline%20news/whats%20in%20your%20region/NE%20Challenge%20Football.asp www.princes-trust.org.uk] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218154707/http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/Main%20Site%20v2/headline%20news/whats%20in%20your%20region/NE%20Challenge%20Football.asp |date=18 February 2008 }} Princes Trust Challenge Trophy details</ref>

On 26 July 2009 St James' Park hosted the [[Sir Bobby Robson Trophy match]], in aid of the [[Sir Bobby Robson Foundation]], in which the famous [[1990 FIFA World Cup|Italia '90]] World Cup semi-final loss against [[Germany national football team|West Germany]], in which Robson's [[England national football team|England team]] were [[Football World Cup 1990#Semi-finals|beaten 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw]], would be replayed featuring players from the [[1990 FIFA World Cup squads|original World Cup squads]] and other special guests.<ref name="Telegraph5214081">{{cite news
 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/england/5214081/England-Italia-90-team-to-re-stage-Germany-semi-in-aid-of-Sir-Bobby-Robson-charity.html
 |title=England Italia '90 team to re-stage Germany semi in aid of Sir Bobby Robson charity
 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph
 |date=24 April 2009
|access-date=24 April 2009
|archive-date=27 April 2009
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427171500/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/england/5214081/England-Italia-90-team-to-re-stage-Germany-semi-in-aid-of-Sir-Bobby-Robson-charity.html
 |quote=Sir Bobby Robson is hoping to settle an old score after England and Germany players who contested the heart-breaking 1990 World Cup semi-final agreed to re-stage the epic game to boost his fund-raising efforts.
 |location=London
 |first=Rob
 |last=Stewart
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref><ref name="NUFC1638348">{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1638348,00.html
 |title       = Sir Bobby Charity Game @ SJP
 |publisher   = [[Newcastle United F.C.]]
 |date        = 24 April 2009
|access-date  = 24 April 2009 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090426045829/http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1638348,00.html
 |archive-date = 26 April 2009
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref name="Chronicle23464524">{{cite news
 |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2009/04/24/england-v-germany-rematch-to-honour-sir-bobby-robson-72703-23464524/
 |title=England v Germany rematch to honour Sir Bobby Robson
 |newspaper=[[Evening Chronicle]]
 |location=Newcastle
 |date=24 April 2009
|access-date=24 April 2009
|archive-date=23 December 2012
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223125852/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2009/04/24/england-v-germany-rematch-to-honour-sir-bobby-robson-72703-23464524/
 |quote=...the match, which will take place on 26 July at St James' Park...As well as reuniting 1990 England players, Sir Bobby is also planning on calling on some other famous guests to add to his team. He said: "I'm very grateful to my former players who are coming up to Newcastle to help us raise money for my charity. I'm also very appreciative of the efforts of the German players who have so much further to travel.
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref>

===Video games===
The stadium has regularly featured on the popular football game series [[FIFA (video game series)]] and appears to be included on the global front cover of [[FIFA 13]] with [[Lionel Messi]] in the foreground. The title sequence of [[FIFA Football 2004]] featuring [[Ronaldinho]], [[Thierry Henry]] and [[Alessandro del Piero]] was shot at the stadium.<ref>{{cite web|title=FIFA Soccer 2004|url=https://gamesdb.launchbox-app.com/games/details/18360|website=Games Database|publisher=Launchbox|access-date=18 February 2023}}</ref>

===Concerts===
The stadium has hosted concerts for many famous artists, including [[The Rolling Stones]], [[Bruce Springsteen]] & [[E Street Band]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Bryan Adams]], [[Rod Stewart]], [[Kings of Leon]] and [[Ed Sheeran]]. In 2023 the stadium hosted two sold out nights for [[Sam Fender]], and then three more sold out nights in June 2025 during his [[People Watching Tour]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Sam |date=7 September 2022 |title=Sam Fender announces second huge date at Newcastle's St. James' Park |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sam-fender-announces-second-huge-date-newcastle-st-james-park-3305784 |url-status=live |language=en-GB |work=[[NME]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220907174812/https://www.nme.com/news/music/sam-fender-announces-second-huge-date-newcastle-st-james-park-3305784 |archive-date=7 September 2022 |access-date=8 September 2022}}</ref>

===Film and television===
The stadium has also been used as an audition venue for the television show ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]'' and also reality television show ''[[Big Brother (UK)|Big Brother]]''. St James' Park has also hosted the final celebrity matches of the Sky television reality TV show ''[[The Match (Sky One TV series)|The Match]]''. The stadium was used extensively as a filming location for the film [[Goal! (film)|''Goal!'']], as the film follows a fictional player [[Santiago Muñez]] who signs for Newcastle. There is also film footage showing a game between Newcastle and Liverpool FC from 1901.

===Sir Bobby Robson tributes===
[[File:Sir Bobby Robson thanksgiving service broadcast to St James Park image 1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Sir Bobby's thanksgiving service shown at St James' Park]]
[[File:Sir Bobby Robson tributes at SJP pic 1.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Floral tributes laid for Sir Bobby at St James' Park]]
[[Sir Bobby Robson]], a lifetime Newcastle fan who managed the club from 1999 to 2004, died of cancer aged 76 on 31 July 2009, five days after having been at St James' Park to watch the [[Sir Bobby Robson Trophy match|England v Germany charity trophy match]] played in his honour and in aid of [[Sir Bobby Robson Foundation|his cancer foundation]]. Immediately after his death, St James' Park became an impromptu shrine to Sir Bobby, with thousands of fans leaving floral tributes, club shirts and scarves in the Leazes End for the following ten days. After a private funeral service on 5 August, a thanksgiving service held on 21 September at [[Durham Cathedral]] in Sir Bobby's memory was broadcast on two big screens for spectators in the Leazes End.
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{WikidataCoord}}
{{Commons category|St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111113184643/http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Club/History/SportsDirectArena The Sports Direct Arena Story] at NUFC.co.uk
*[https://www.fastscore.com/stadium/st-james-park St. James' Park Information and Matches] at FastScore.com
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110713232040/http://www.london2012.com/games/venues/st-james-park.php London2012.com profile]

{{Newcastle United F.C.}}
{{Premier League venues}}
{{UEFA Euro 1996 stadiums}}
{{2012 Summer Olympic venues}}
{{Olympic venues football}}
{{2015 Rugby World Cup venues}}
{{European Rugby Champions Cup Final venues}}
{{Super League venues}}
{{2021 RLWC Venues}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint James Park}}
[[Category:Newcastle United F.C.]]
[[Category:Venues of the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Football venues in England]]
[[Category:Rugby league stadiums in England]]
[[Category:Rugby union stadiums in England]]
[[Category:English Football League venues]]
[[Category:Premier League venues]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Newcastle upon Tyne]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1892]]
[[Category:The Twentieth Century Society Risk List]]