It’s fair to say that up to now supporters of NUFC Women have had the better of the summer dealings and news. The Men’s side seems to be racked with problems which this excellent Blog site has gone into in great and well worth watching detail.
Whatever happens with Isak and the transfer saga and whoever comes in late it’s not been pretty and has been very frustrating to say the least. As for Wor Lasses? Well, everything seemed to be going swimmingly. Excellent new signings being announced and plenty of season tickets sold. Then, bang!
On the day when the Women’s Super League 2 fixtures came out and fans were looking forward to mouth-watering derbies and big promotion chasing games came the announcement about this season’s home venue which has shocked the loyal fanbase to say the least.
Newcastle United Women will begin a new chapter at Gateshead International Stadium this summer, securing access to a natural grass pitch that complies with Women’s Super League rules.
Becky Langley’s side go into the upcoming 2025/26 campaign aiming to achieve promotion from WSL2, which would require a move away from the artificial surface currently in place at Kingston Park.
To ensure league compliance and to support improved performance the club need to play on grass and so conducted an extensive review of available options that would guarantee access to a grass surface alongside suitable facilities for players, staff and supporters.
With the installation of a natural grass pitch at Kingston Park – home of Premiership Rugby side Newcastle Falcons – not possible in the immediate future, Newcastle United Women have secured an opportunity to make a permanent move this summer and futureproof compliance with WSL regulations.
Gateshead International Stadium is operated by GLL in partnership with Gateshead Council and is home to Gateshead Football Club.
As part of the move, Newcastle United Women will invest in an elite playing surface and upgraded facilities. The club’s 2025/26 WSL2 fixtures were released on Friday 25th July and further information for supporters and season ticket holders can be found here.
Su Cumming, Head of Women’s Football at Newcastle United, said: “This is an exciting new chapter in the history of Newcastle United Women.
“The club has achieved incredible growth and success in recent years, and we are putting these important building blocks in place to continue our exciting journey. We are, of course, sad to leave Kingston Park, where we have built so many memories both as a training base and home stadium.”
“We respect the needs of Newcastle Falcons, and we thank everyone at the club for their support, but this is the right time to make the move as we pursue a place in the WSL.”
“We are committed to working with our amazing supporters along the way and hope as many people as possible will be able to make the short trip with us to our new home. I also want to extend gratitude to GLL, Gateshead Council and Gateshead Football Club.”
“We’re excited about the future and look forward to working with them.”
Whatever the reasons and reading between the lines and seeing fans comments there does appear to be more to this than meets the eye. We know Red Bull have bought Kingston Park and The Falcons and had no intention of changing the facilities any time soon.
But NUFC Women aren’t promoted nor can they assume they will be. They have built up a magnificent home support at Kingston Park and the fans love the ‘family’ type atmosphere and closeness of the venue.
Gateshead International Stadium is seen by many as soulless and not somewhere the same rapport can be achieved. Time will tell on that one but one thing is clear. The announcement came out of the blue and has thrown many a fan’s preparation for the new season into disarray and confusion.
It’s being reported that many who have purchased season tickets are cancelling and although some are in favour of the move to GIS the vast majority are not and are shocked that The Club could go through pre-season and summer making plans for Kingston Park and then suddenly change.
For me it shows once again that no matter how we love NUFC and whether it’s the Women’s or Men’s side we support or even both it’s a business and business decisions, development and issues will always come first.
Perhaps that’s the way it should be. Who knows? What we do know and whatever the reasons are for it is that it’s goodbye Kingston Park, hello Gateshead International Stadium.
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