Newcastle begin formal process to expand St James' Park from its 52,300 capacity

Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales has revealed that the club have begun a 'formal process' to expand St James' Park.

The club have been keen to expand their 52,300 seater stadium ever since their takeover back in 2021.

Demand for tickets has increased thanks to their upturn in form on the field, after finishing fourth in the Premier League last season and therefore qualifying for the Champions League.

Speaking at a supporter event at the stadium on Wednesday evening, Eales told fans of their plans to bring in 'world-leading' experts to see what is feasible, and that that they plan to give fans a say ahead of any definitive move.

As per The Athletic, Eales said: 'Given our demand for tickets what we are doing is a stadium feasibility and we are looking at what will be possible.

'We started that fairly recently, a formal process. I learned quickly that everybody has a view on what could be done and everyone is an amateur architect.

'Whoever you will talk to will tell you what you can do with the Gallowgate End or various parts of St James' Park.

'What we want to do is get a world-renowned leading agency that deals with this and to have a blank sheet of paper and see what is feasible and what can be done.'

He then revealed that a supporter survey will go out as part of a feasibility study to get feedback from the club's fans.

Mail Sport revealed in February that the Magpies had bought the land directly behind St James' Park with a view to further expansion around the stadium.

The land had previously been sold by prior owner Mike Ashley to private developers Helios Real Estate and Marrico for £9million four years ago and recently been in the hands of Reditum Capital

St James' Park was last expanded back in 2000 when it had previously