THE INSIDE OF NEWCASTLE UNITED ST JAMES PARK STADIUM

I hope this can be between the both of us and I’ll be honest, I never thought I’d find myself wandering through the halls of St James Park stadium, home to Newcastle United. But thanks to a work recruitment drive (and a very adventurous manager), I ended up having a mini behind-the-scenes stadium tour and yes, even sat in the dugout!

In this guide, I’ll share my story and everything you need to know if you’re planning your own visit to St James Park stadium. Whether you’re a football fan or just exploring Newcastle Upon Tyne, here’s how to make the most of your time at this iconic stadium. If you are staying for a weekend or a day trip, I have a list of things you can do in Newcastle Upon Tyne and where to eat.

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My Unexpected Mini St James Stadium Tour

So here’s what happened…

During a corporate event at St James Park, my manager and I somehow ended up exploring the stadium corridors, ok to be fair we were in search of the locker rooms. We passed by:

• The Chairman’s Suite – plush, private, and full of history.
• The Sir Bobby Robson Suite – a touching tribute to a Newcastle legend.
• Maze-like hallways that felt both exciting and a little eerie in the dark.

We were trying (unsuccessfully) to find the locker rooms, even asked a couple of employees when we stumbled upon an open box that led directly down to the pitch seats. And the door leading to the pitch seats were…you guessed it! Unlocked!

so we did what any normal person would do, leave the box and climbed down to the pitch.

(To be honest, as you know we were trying to find the locker room but we couldn’t find it and according to the security guard, even if we did find it – it was locked anyway *bummer*.)

Walking on the Newcastle United football Pitch & Sitting in the Dugout

I couldn’t believe it when we ended up pitch-side. For a few minutes, I sat exactly where managers and players sit during a match — though embarrassingly, I first sat on the away team’s dugout before the lovely lady who was working on the seats next to us politely corrected us!

I thought that gave us confirmation that we were permitted to be there *relieved*. I guess confidence and pretending that you belong goes a long way.

There were even a couple of players practicing football on the pitch, which made the whole experience even more surreal.

Here’s the thing, I never knew that we were not allowed to go and walked on the grass? There were no signs or anything, I am not sure what the reason is either because if you think about it, there were a couple of lads playing/ practicing football at the time! I mean, isn’t the pitch meant to be walked or run on anyway? *go figure* But please do educate me – always learning and I’m not the most knowledgeable about football but I do try.

Things to Do on a St James Park Tour

An official tour is way more polished than my sneaky experience — and well worth it. Here’s what you can expect:

• Visit the dressing rooms where Newcastle United players prepare before matches.
• Walk through the players’ tunnel.
• Visit the Media Suite
• Take in panoramic views from the highest seats in the stadium

👉 Book your official tour here: Newcastle United Stadium Tour Tickets

More Things to Do Around St James Park

If you’re visiting Newcastle Upon Tyne, combine your stadium tour with some local highlights and some places to eat here:

• Grainger Market – Historic food market with plenty of Northern classics.
• Newcastle Castle – The fortress that gave the city its name.
• Quayside – Perfect for bars, restaurants, and those iconic Tyne Bridge views.
• The Biscuit Factory – An independent art gallery worth checking out.

Tips for Visiting St James Park

• Book ahead: Tours sell out, especially on weekends and match days.
• Check match schedules: The stadium can get very busy on game days.
• Wear comfy shoes: Lots of stairs, especially if you climb to the top.
• and VISIT the Strawberry Pub next door, its a must!

Final Thoughts

St James Park isn’t just a football ground, it’s a part of Newcastle Upon Tyne and Geordie culture and identity. Whether you’re here as a lifelong Newcastle fan, a curious football lover, or just someone who enjoys exploring unique landmarks, the stadium tour is a must.

For me, this was a lucky accident as you might call it. But for you, it can be an unforgettable experience you’ll talk about for years.

So that’s my random story of exploring St James Park on a weekday, also please don’t sue us, we are quite harmless really!

Courtney x

More Newcastle Upon Tyne Travel and Food Adventures on WhatsupCourtney:

Want to explore Newcastle’s food scene further? Here are some guides that might help:

30 Places to eat in Newcastle Upon Tyne City Centre 2025 : Street food, vegan, kid friendly, buffets, Michelin, carvery places in Newcastle City centre

Complete Guide to Grainger Market : Deep dive into Britain’s Favourite Market with all the best food vendors

25 Things to Do in Newcastle Upon Tyne : My complete guide to the city including more food recommendations

Newcastle Match Day Guide : Where to eat and drink before NUFC matches (trust me, you need this)

Things to Do in Tynemouth : Including Riley’s Fish Shack, one of the best seafood spots in the North East

Climbing up Grey’s Monument : Climbing Grey’s Monument: Is it worth it and the Costs?

Riley’s Fish Shack Review: The Famous Riley’s Fish Shack in Tynemouth: Is it worth it?

If you’re visiting from abroad, grab an eSIM before you arrive so you can easily look up bakery opening hours and directions while you’re exploring.

If you are travelling abroad to Italy or Japan, find my Travel Guides on WhatsupCourtney below:

Lake Como Travel Guide: Como City

Best things to do in Varenna, Lake Como Italy 2025 + One Day Itinerary

4 Days in Kyoto Itinerary: Complete First-Timer’s Guide

8 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD STAY AT CANDEO HOTELS ROPPONGI TOKYO

10 GREAT THINGS YOU MUST DO AND EAT AT ROPPONGI TOKYO

10 Must-Know Japan Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors (2025)