Newcastle United owners contract world-renowned firm to design new state of the art training complex | OneFootball

When the Newcastle United owners replaced Mike Ashley in October 2021 it was widely reported that a new state of the art training complex would swiftly be set in motion, as well as much bigger stadium – either a brand new one or much expanded St James’ Park.

More than 39 months after the takeover, we are no further forward.

Not in public anyway, the Newcastle United owners not announcing anything concrete as yet.

They have promised a major update on the stadium situation early in 2025 but nothing yet.

With the state of the art new training complex however, we have now had a media ‘exclusive’ update on the situation…

Craig Hope exclusive for The Mail – 24 January 2025:

“EXCLUSIVE: World-renowned firm behind Real Madrid super base and Spurs stadium will design new NUFC training ground!

“MAJOR development that is coup for club…

“US-based Populous have designed some of the world’s best sporting venues and now they will produce the drawings for NUFC’s new training ground

“…a development that should, finally, give the club a complex to rival the very best in the Premier League.”

In my opinion, a commitment to serious spending on infrastructure would be massive, in terms of convincing everybody that these Newcastle United owners are serious about trying to grow NUFC into a club that compete long-term at the very top.

Here’s hoping that very quickly the Newcastle United owners will confirm plans are going ahead to get this new state of the art training complex built, then more importantly announce the plans and expected timescale on a far bigger stadium capacity, either on the current St James’ Park site, or very close to it.

I had a look back and over 30 months ago the man from The Mail reported that the Newcastle United owners had identified a likely site for the new state of the art training complex, this was (see below) reported to be up next to Newcastle racecourse, which the Reuben family also own.

The Mag report on the Craig Hope training ground exclusive 30 months ago – 5 July 2022:

Great news on the Newcastle United training ground front.

The current facility had / has become an increasing embarrassment for a Premier League club.

Mike Ashley, like he did in every other area of the club, blocking any kind of proper investment in the infrastructure of Newcastle United.

However, all change under the new owners.

Last week, North Tyneside council approving the essential Newcastle United training ground improvements to the existing site.

Those improvements to the current facilities actually a short-term solution, with the new NUFC owners looking to identify a new location for a brand new Newcastle United training ground, that will help them compete with the best of the Premier League.

Well Tuesday morning has brought an update on that front as well.

Craig Hope of The Mail saying about the intended brand new Newcastle United training ground, that his information from sources, is that a likely location has been identified.

The man from The Mail saying that whilst it is still at research stage, the club’s owners have had plans drawn up for a site at Parklands, next to Newcastle racecourse. Craig saying that Newcastle firm Ryder Architecture is involved and that whilst other locations are still being considered, this Parklands one is looking favourite according to his sources.

The Reuben family already own Newcastle racecourse and no major surprise if it turns out they own the land at this nearby Parklands location. Certainly, I’m guessing at the very least they will have been aware of this area of land as a possible location for the intended Newcastle United training ground.

The new owners having previously declared what as fans we already knew, that the current training complex (pictured above) is not fit for purpose and it “falls significantly below the Premier League and perhaps even Championship standards” when submitting those improvement plans to North Tyneside council.

In advance of that planning approval to the existing facility, the Newcastle United owners had gone ahead with major preparation work. This preparation work not needing the council approval BUT giving the club a major boost in getting the overall short-term fix project completed ASAP. Whilst those plans for the totally new Newcastle United training ground continued to be worked on.