Newcastle United is in discussions with architectural design firm Populous regarding the potential expansion of St James’ Park, according to information obtained by Football Insider. The club is in the early stages of planning an expansion for their current stadium, and they have sought the expertise of Populous, known for their role in constructing the £1.2 billion Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
As of now, St James’ Park can accommodate 52,000 spectators, yet the club has consistently sold out every home game during the 2023/24 season. In response to the high demand, the Newcastle board aims to increase the stadium’s capacity to over 60,000.
The planning phase for this expansion is in its initial stages, with Newcastle actively searching for a construction company willing to undertake the project. Populous’ managing director, Christopher Lee, has expressed their firm’s interest in participating in Newcastle’s stadium project. Populous has a track record of working on notable stadium projects, including the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and previous collaborations with Arsenal.
Additionally, Populous is currently involved in Manchester City’s £300 million endeavor to expand the Etihad Stadium. Newcastle could potentially be the latest addition to their portfolio, although St James’ Park’s city-center location presents unique challenges.
It’s worth noting that Newcastle’s new owners from Saudi Arabia have already invested in the vicinity of the stadium by acquiring land at Strawberry Place and partnering with new shirt sponsors Sela to create a new fan zone.
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