Newcastle plans new stadium linked to city-wide regeneration

Newcastle United are set to launch plans to combine a new stadium with a city-wide regeneration project. The club is weighing whether to renovate St James' Park or build a new ground, possibly next to the current site with capacity around 68,000. The proposal would modernise the city centre with new retail, leisure and business buildings, improved public transport links and affordable housing; the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund would invest but public money would also be needed.

The new stadium would be the third biggest in the UK when finalised, behind Old Trafford and Wembley. Manager Eddie Howe has called for clarity on the club’s direction, saying the training ground and stadium 'is in limbo at the moment' and that clarity would have a 'game-changing effect' on everything, including the academy.

He added that if extra time is needed 'to make the right decisions' and ensure the project is correct for Newcastle, then that time should be taken, even if he may not see the finished result in his tenure.

United Kingdom, Newcastle

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