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A visit to St James' Park is about much more than simply watching football.
Located right in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, the stadium combines a historic atmosphere with modern upgrades, strong accessibility features and a wide range of food and drink options.
Whether you’re attending as a Newcastle United supporter, part of the away following or bringing the family along, FootballGroundGuide covers everything you need to know about St James’ Park in 2026.
St James' Park Turnstiles, Entry and Security Access
St James’ Park has multiple turnstile blocks positioned around the stadium, each clearly marked with stand and block numbers.
Supporters enter via digital or print-at-home tickets, scanned at automated turnstiles.
Turnstiles usually open around 90 minutes before kick-off, with earlier opening times for high-profile fixtures.
Before entering, fans should expect:
- Ticket scanning
- Bag checks at all entrances
- Occasional wand searches at selected matches
Bag restrictions are typically in place, with most clubs limiting bags to A4 size or smaller.
Prohibited items include:
- Bottles and cans
- Flares
- Large flags
- Professional camera equipment
Stewards are positioned at every entrance to assist supporters and direct them to the correct gate.
Due to the stadium’s central location, it’s recommended to arrive early as surrounding streets can get very busy.
Food and Drink at St James' Park: Options, Quality and Prices
St James’ Park offers a wide range of traditional football food, with prices generally competitive compared to other Premier League grounds.
Food kiosks across the concourses serve:
- Burgers
- Pies
- Hot dogs
- Chips
- Snacks and confectionery
- Hot and cold drinks
The stadium is fully cashless, so card or contactless payment is required.
Alcohol is available at designated kiosks and can be consumed in the concourses, but not in view of the pitch.
One of the standout matchday venues is Shearer’s Bar, located at the Gallowgate End. It’s a popular pre-match and post-match spot, offering a lively atmosphere, large screens showing live sport and a full food and drink menu, with many meals starting at around £10.
Across the stadium, food quality is solid and reliable, with enough variety to suit most supporters.
St James' Park Concourse Areas, Bars and Matchday Facilities
The concourses at St James’ Park vary depending on the stand.
The Milburn Stand has the most modern and spacious concourses, featuring:
- Multiple bars and food counters
- TV screens showing live coverage
- Hospitality lounges on upper levels
The East Stand has narrower concourses due to its older structure and can feel more crowded, especially at half-time.
The Gallowgate End offers a lively, social atmosphere with several bars and themed kiosks, making it a popular choice for groups.
The Leazes Stand is more functional, with well-distributed food outlets and bars, and also houses away supporters in the upper tier.
Across all stands, supporters will find:
- Cashless payment systems
- TV screens
- Betting kiosks (subject to match regulations)
- Programme sellers and merchandise points
Toilets and other Matchday Facilities at St James' Park
Toilets are available throughout all concourses and are generally well-maintained.
Facilities vary slightly depending on the stand:
- Modernised toilets in the Milburn and Leazes Stands
- Older but functional facilities in the East Stand
Toilet blocks are cleaned regularly during matches, although queues can build at half-time, particularly in the Gallowgate End.
Additional facilities include:
- Baby-changing stations in family areas
- First aid rooms
- Lost property points
- Steward assistance hubs
- Limited water refill stations
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Family Areas at St James' Park
The main Family Area at St James’ Park is located in the lower tier of the East Stand.
This section provides:
- Family-friendly stewarding
- Alcohol-free seating zones
- Child-focused entertainment
- Mascot appearances on matchdays
- Easy access to toilets and baby-changing facilities
Nearby kiosks also offer child-friendly food options.
This area is ideal for younger supporters and those looking for a calmer matchday experience.
Safe Standing at St James' Park
Safe standing has been introduced at St James’ Park using rail seating.
These areas are primarily located in the Gallowgate End and parts of the Milburn Stand.
Features of safe standing include rail seating with integrated barriers, trained stewards managing the sections, and seats that are locked upright during designated matches.
The introduction of safe standing has enhanced the already strong atmosphere at the stadium.
Disability Access and Inclusive Facilities at St James' Park
St James’ Park offers a comprehensive range of accessibility features for disabled supporters.
Wheelchair Access and Seating
There are around 234 wheelchair spaces available across all four stands.
Each space includes:
- An adjacent personal assistant seat
- Good sightlines of the pitch
Wheelchair users can access the stadium via step-free routes, lifts and ramps, with entrances located close to designated drop-off points.
Accessible Toilets and Changing Places Facilities
Accessible toilets are available throughout the stadium and operate using RADAR key access.
The stadium also provides:
- Changing facilities in the Milburn and East Stands
- A fully equipped Changing Places facility
Stewards are available to assist supporters where required.
Additional Accessibility Support
St James’ Park also offers:
- Hearing loop systems in reception, the box office and club shop
- Audio descriptive commentary headsets
- A sensory room with specialist staff
- Sensory packs available on request
- Assistance dog access (with prior arrangement)
The club has also introduced innovative accessibility initiatives, including haptic shirts that allow fans with hearing impairments to experience the atmosphere through vibration.