Newcastle’s recent cup final sell out highlights the recent surge in appetite for tickets among fans. Thousands of eager Geordies are struggling to find a way into St James’ Park, with many raising doubts over the club’s ticketing system. But how did the Toon Army go from half-empty grounds and relegation battles to weekly sell outs and demand sky-rocketing?
Image by Joseph Chisholm
Image by Joseph Chisholm
How does the system work?
Season tickets: grants fans access to every home game and priority for cup and away tickets. There are currently an estimated 32,000 season ticket holders, making up the bulk of home fans, who are given the option to renew their ticket every season. The club have not announced any plans to release new season tickets, meaning they are now impossible to acquire indefinitely.
Mags membership: grants fans access to ballots for remaining home and cup tickets after sale to season ticket holders. As of April 2025, there is an estimated 150,000 members, three times the capacity of Newcastle’s’ ground, St James’ Park, meaning the chances of winning a ticket are slim.
With tickets now being solely digital, re-selling tickets has become increasingly difficult, meaning the other viable way in is buying hospitality, costing between £150 and £400 per game.
Though many season ticket holders have now attended for years, the system still poses limited opportunities for the broader fanbase to attend, leaving thousands in a frustrating position. People like new young fans who have dreamt of soaking in the atmosphere of St James’ Park for the first time are left with little options for a way through the turnstiles.
Why is there such a high demand?
- Team Performance
Since the appointment of manager Eddie Howe in November 2023 Newcastle United have been exceptional. Their aggressive, attacking style of play has brought a long-awaited buzz back to Tyneside, and this season, they are playing better than ever. Since Howe’s appointment, the magpies have now reached two cup finals, made a return to the Champions League , and are consistently competing alongside the best teams in the Premier League. Naturally, more fans are wanting to see a slice of world class football first-hand at St James’ Park, contrary to the club’s lacklustre mindset under previous owner, Mike Ashley .
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2. Passionate Fanbase
Whether it be selling out every game, the deafening atmosphere at St James’, or thousands travelling anywhere for away games, the Geordies have a rep for being die-hard supporters. Oliver Chalmers is one fan who attends games weekly. “The atmosphere has taken a huge turn in recent years,” he told us, “It’s much more positive now in comparison to under the old owners.” With football in the DNA of so many fans it’s no surprise as to why demand is soaring.
Marion Williams is the vice chair of the Newcastle Fan Advisory Board, having an extensive relationship with fans to help provide support. “I can’t see why anybody wouldn’t want to support Newcastle,” she said.
“Football fans are fickle, except when you come to Newcastle. It’s that one city club and living in the North East. The club ties fans together. Back in the day you would have hard graft all week and you’d go and shout your lungs out at the match on a Saturday, and I don’t think that genetic has ever gone away.”
3. Ownership
The Saudi Public Investment Fund’s takeover of the club in October 2021 saw the end of 14 disappointing years on Tyneside under Mike Ashley. A fresh change meant a newfound ambition and investment for the magpies, with new ownership being what most fans attribute the club’s recent successes to. But as much as this has benefitted Newcastle, this new vision may not be entirely beneficial for fans hoping to attend more games.
Marion, who also regularly meets with club officials, such as CEO Darren Eales, as part of her work with the board, added, “A woman from the Premier League told me that football is a global product. The Premier League is Labour’s biggest asset to sell to the world. When you’ve got a mindset like that, we’re not far off paying hundreds for tickets per game.”
If we go down that route people will have the opportunity but only if they’ve got the money. If fans hang onto the idea the club is their club there will always be a limit to who can get in.”
With this consumerism-focussed approach to football, it raises questions regarding how attended to will fans be, and how financially accessible it will be to obtain tickets.
What next?
Reports have speculated building a larger stadium in Leazes Park to accommodate more fans, however no concrete plans have been announced. Until then, thousands of Geordies remain frustrated trying to source a way into St James’ Park.