Newcastle United tickets priced back at sensible prices after sales drop by over 15,000 | OneFootball

Back in summer 2022, the two pre-season home friendly matches at St James’ Park saw an overall total of 87,452 Newcastle United tickets sold for the Atalanta (40,596) and Athletic Bilbao (46,856) matches on consecutive days.

Very decent crowds I would say for a weekend of friendlies against decent but not exciting opposition.

When it came to summer 2023 though, a total of 71, 346 Newcastle United tickets sold for the consecutive days friendlies over the weekend, a drop of over 15,000 on a year earlier.

NUFC had 36,725 paying customers for the Fiorentina friendly and 34,621 against Villarreal,

In summer 2022, the new Newcastle United owners were charging £20 and £10 concessions for each pre-season home game (£35 adult and £15 concessions packages if you bought both friendlies).

Moving to summer 2023 and branded as the Sela Cup, these prices became £30 and £15 concessions for one match, £55 and £25 for the two-game package.

So for a parent and child, a rise from £30 to £45 for one game, then a rise from £50 to £80 for the two-game packages.

With these pre-season Newcastle United friendlies at St James’ Park mainly relying on families to fill the seats, you can start to see why crowds drastically reduced as the prices shot up.

For a family of two adults and two children, it meant a rise from £60 to £90 for one friendly, then up from £100 to £160 if going to both.

On Tuesday we saw the latest St James’ Park friendlies announced (see below), playing against Girona and Stade Brestois, on Friday 9 August, and Saturday 10 August.

I had written a couple of articles previously about the daft rise in friendly ticket prices and the predictable significant drop in paying customers, maybe somebody from the club read them, or more likely, thankfully, simply common sense intervening.

The price of normal Newcastle United tickets for these August 2024 friendlies has returned to sensible summer 2022 pricing, once again it is £20 and £10 concessions for one match, so £30 for an adult and child. However, surprisingly no weekend price to cover both days, to try and encourage fans to commit to both days.

I have no doubt whatsoever that this will mean far fewer empty seats at St James’ Park for the two friendlies, which surely is the overwhelming priority of both club and fanbase.

I think the Newcastle United owners have done an excellent job overall, having taken over from Mike Ashley.

However, constructive criticism is always a must when necessary.

Newcastle United official announcement – 2 July 2024:

Spanish and French Champions League entrants confirmed on pre-season schedule alongside a return of the Sela Cup –

Newcastle United will welcome European opposition to St. James’ Park this summer, with UEFA Champions League sides Girona FC and Stade Brestois set to feature in ‘The Sela Weekender’.

Kicking off two days of pre-season action, the Magpies open The Sela Weekender with a friendly fixture against Spanish LaLiga side Girona FC on Friday 9th August (kick-off 7:30pm), before the Sela Cup makes a welcome return the following day.

Backed by the club’s primary sponsor, the Sela Cup returns for a second consecutive year – with a new format that has evolved to offer both men’s and women’s teams the chance to be crowned champions.

Building on a promotion-earning campaign last season, Becky Langley’s Newcastle United Women side will prepare for life in the Barclays Women’s Championship by challenging a soon-to-be-confirmed opponent for the first-ever women’s Sela Cup trophy on Saturday 10th August (kick-off 1pm).

Eddie Howe’s side will continue preparation for the new season by aiming to retain the men’s Sela Cup crown – claimed during the inaugural tournament in 2023 – when they challenge French Ligue 1 team Stade Brestois in a winner-takes-all clash later on the Saturday afternoon (kick-off 4pm).

Speaking about The Sela Weekender, Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales said: “We’re excited that both our men’s and women’s squads will make their return to St. James’ Park for a two-day festival of football. It will give fans the chance to support preparations for a huge 2024/25 campaign.

“Welcoming Champions League calibre opponents reinforces the draw of Newcastle United across the top level of European football, and I’m sure each visiting club will play their part in creating a great weekend.

“We would once again like to thank our partners Sela for their support and expertise which will ensure that The Sela Weekender is an event to remember for fans of every club involved.”

Ibrahim Mohtaseb, Senior Vice President of Sela, added: “The Sela Weekender is a fantastic way to kick-off the new season, offering both the men’s and women’s teams of Newcastle United the chance to win silverware.

“As the club’s principle sponsor, Sela is committed to redefining the matchday experience for the most passionate and dedicated fanbase in football. The Sela Weekender will bring exciting European competition to St. James’ Park ahead of what promises to be a spectacular 2024/25 season.”

TICKET INFORMATION

Day tickets for Friday or Saturday are priced at £20 for adults and £10 for concessions, while access to premium bars is available at £25 and £15 for each respective matchday.

Season Ticket Holders and Members will be able to purchase tickets from 10am on Wednesday 3rd July, with general sale commencing at 10am on Friday 5th July.

Hospitality packages starting at £138(+VAT) will be available for the Friday evening fixture against Girona FC, with premium tickets covering both Sela Cup matches starting at £70(+VAT). All tickets will be available to book via book.newcastleunited.com.