THEME PARK

Toon eye plans for mega new arena

- Simon Bird

NEWCASTLE chiefs have floated the idea of building a new stadium on the site of St James’ Park. 

The club are plotting to transform their home with 10,000 fans currently locked out per game.

And their planning includes considering whether constructing a new arena is viable.

The club have hired an agency to explore how the East Stand and the Gallowgate End could be expanded – and, even more dramatically, to imagine what a whole new stadium would look like.

Demand for tickets has rocketed on Tyneside since the Saudi takeover and the club wants a home with at least 65,000 seats and more lucrative corporate boxes.

CEO Darren Eales says the days of the club having to give away 10,000 tickets to make the stadium look full – which happened under Mike Ashley – are over, with massive oversubscription for Premier League games.