Supporters heading to St James' Park should be aware of the stadium’s strict matchday regulations, particularly when it comes to bags and security checks.
The home of Newcastle United enforces a restricted bag policy to help maintain safety and ensure efficient entry for large crowds.
FootballGroundGuide breaks down everything fans need to know about the St James’ Park bag policy, security procedures and prohibited items.
What bags are allowed at St James’ Park?
St James’ Park operates a small-bag policy, with clear limits on what can be brought into the stadium.
Supporters are allowed to bring bags, but they must be no larger than A4 size. Any bags exceeding this size will not be permitted inside the stadium.
Exceptions are only made for medical requirements, and supporters needing to bring larger bags must contact the club in advance for approval.
Non-medical reasons, such as travel or accommodation, will not be accepted for exemptions.
As a result, fans are encouraged to travel light and avoid bringing bags where possible.
St James' Park medical exemptions and accessibility
Supporters with medical needs can apply for exemptions to the bag policy.
Larger bags containing:
- Essential medication
- Medical equipment
may be permitted, but only with prior approval from the club’s accessibility team.
Fans are encouraged to contact the club ahead of matchday to avoid delays or issues at entry points.
St James' Park security checks and entry procedures
Security is taken seriously at St James’ Park, with mandatory checks for all supporters.
Before entering the stadium, fans should expect:
- All bags are to be searched by stewards
- Possible wand or body searches
- Entry refusal if a supporter declines a search
These procedures are a condition of entry, meaning failure to comply could result in being denied access to the stadium.
Supporters are advised to arrive early to allow enough time for security checks, particularly for high-demand fixtures.
What items are prohibited at St James’ Park?
The stadium bans a wide range of items to ensure safety for all supporters.
Prohibited items include:
- Knives or weapons of any kind
- Illegal substances
- Fireworks, flares and smoke canisters
- Air horns
- Laser devices
- Bottles, glass containers or cans
- Poles or large objects
- Any item that could be used as a weapon
Any person found with prohibited items or believed likely to breach stadium regulations may be refused entry.
Can fans re-enter St James’ Park after leaving?
No. St James’ Park operates a strict no re-entry policy.
If a supporter leaves the stadium during a match, their ticket will no longer be valid for re-entry. This rule is in place to maintain security and crowd control throughout events.