Newcastle United’s latest St James’ Park upgrade
Newcastle United are investing in more internal stadium improvements as the St James' STACK nears completion on Strawberry Place.
The changes inside St James’ Park this summer won’t just be cosmetic.
Newcastle United have already revealed one stadium improvement ahead of the new season.
The lettering on the roof of the East Stand roof is no longer in the font used by Sports Direct, with the change, which was welcomed by fans, having removed one of the last vestiges of the club’s previous ownership. It had been previously changed when Sports Direct signs were placed either side of the lettering during Mike Ashley’s time as owner.
United revealed the return of the iconic non-italic lettering last week.
A club post on X stated: “An iconic symbol of our past. Part of our future.”
The changes comes as the St James’ STACK, a new fan zone backed by sponsors Sela, nears completion on Strawberry Place.
And the club store, previously run by former kit supplier Castore, is also closed for refurbishment, and a temporary shop was opened behind the Gallowgate End in time for the launch of the new adidas home kit.
Home dressing room
Work is also set to start on a behind-the-scenes change at St James’ Park, which the club is looking to expand beyond its 52,305 capacity amid unprecedented demand for tickets.
Work is set to start on a major upgrade of the home dressing room ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The club built a new area next to the changing room in late 2021 following a takeover by a consortium led by Amanda Staveley, and the latest upgrade will be completed in time for the Sela Cup games against Girona and Stade Brestois on August 9 and 10 respectively.
Stadium tours will not visit the home dressing room while working is being carried out.
A note on the club’s website states: “There will be no access to the Home Team Dressing Room between Sunday 14th July and Monday 12th August.”
Newcastle’s home dressing room has been the backdrop to a series of team photographs after wins since Eddie Howe took charge.
Speaking in 2022, United’s head coach said: “It’s something we did a long, long time ago to try and enjoy winning a little bit more, because sometimes with the pressure that the players are under, it’s nice to have that moment to keep so you can look back on in years to come when we’re old and grey and in a different part of our lives where you snapshot that moment and it will trigger good memories.”
Howe added: “If people like it, then great. If they don’t then it’s for us.”
The away dressing room had an upgrade ahead of England’s Euro 2024 warm-up game against Bosnia and Herzegovina last month.