Ever since Newcastle United were bought by the Saudi Public Investment Fund in 2020, talk of a new stadium or a St James' Park renovation has refused to go away.
At one stage, it appeared that the club had decided to stay put and expand St James' Park; however, more recently, it seemed that the decision had been made to commit to a new stadium build on Leazes Park, directly next door to their current home.
However, after the release of promotional imagery was reportedly scrapped at the last minute earlier this year, we are all collectively none the wiser about finding out where Newcastle's future lies.
Eddie Howe admits to being in ‘limbo'
While it is normal for the public to be kept in the dark over such matters, there is always an assumption that, behind the scenes, there is at least some clarity.
"I think the training ground and the stadium is in a bit of limbo, to have clarity on that would be a gamechanger"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 26, 2025
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says progress on a training ground and stadium would have a huge impact on the club ⚫⚪ pic.twitter.com/8DkSfsFbF7
However, over the weekend, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe stated that he is also feeling a little frustrated about the lack of clarity over where the club's future may lie. In a discussion about how the club can progress in the coming years, the 48-year-old told reporters:
“Fundamentally, looking at the club with a broader view, you look at the training ground, stadium – that part of the club is in limbo at the moment.
“In terms of which direction the club is going to take, that would be a big step forward, to get clarity on that and to take everything into the future in a really positive way. It would have a game-changing effect on everything.
“I am also talking about the Academy in that. The brilliant work that goes on down there, if we can move everything forward in terms of facilities – not that I believe facilities are the be-all and end-all, they are a great way of setting standards higher and showing your ambition in a clear and strong way – that would be a game-changer when that happens.”
FGG says: Where is the ambition?
There is an acceptance (and frustration) in Newcastle about the PSR regulations that seemingly have the club in a chokehold. With these rules restricting what the Magpies can achieve in the transfer market, is there a chance that the Saudi PIF are contemplating selling up? Is that why it has all gone quiet on the stadium front?