Fan zone to be built in Newcastle for Euro 2028

A fan zone, like the 4theFans Central Park Fan Park in Newcastle, will be created on the Town Moor for the 2028 Euros

A huge fan zone is set to be built in Newcastle when it hosts Euro 2028.

St James' Park is one of 10 grounds selected to stage games across the UK and Ireland for the UEFA Men's European Football Championship.

Five group stage fixtures will be held at Newcastle United's ground during the opening weeks of the tournament.

To support the festival of football that summer, the Town Moor will be turned into a fan zone with capacity for 15,000 to 20,000 people.

It will screen all matches live and will host a series of concerts and shows throughout the month-long event.

A report from the North East Combined Authority (NECA) described the fan zone as "appealing to the entire population of the region" through a diverse mix of activities, including family events and "football-related interactive experiences".

The North East economy is predicted to see a £117.7m boost from Newcastle being a host city, with hopes that it can cement the city's status as a major event destination and attract a massive influx of tourists, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Council leader Karen Kilgour said shining the "international spotlight" on Newcastle could "attract tens of thousands of extra visitors".

UK Sport has estimated 60% of the 250,000-plus fans who could attend the five matches at St James' Park will come from outside the region.

Hosting the tournament is expected to cost Newcastle about £14.5m, which includes the cost of the fan zone, decorating the city in Euro 2028 branding, organising a programme to recruit 750 volunteers to welcome visitors, as well as security and transport requirements.

'Football is way of life'

Newcastle City Council has agreed to accept an £8.6m grant from UK Sport to help towards the costs of hosting the Euros, which is among the world's biggest sporting events.

The combined authority will provide a further £2.9m, which will be matched by the Labour-led council.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said Newcastle was "the perfect place" to host five matches

NECA's report also outlines the need for "significant upgrades" to the power supply at St James' Park, which will need to meet UEFA's specifications for tournament venues.

Labour's North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said the Euros would "showcase the best of the North East on a global stage", as she aims to have the area designated as the UK's first official Region of Sport.

"Football is a way of life for North East folk and I simply can't imagine a major finals taking place in England without games taking place right here," she said.

"We are passionate, noisy and proud, so we're the perfect place to host five matches, welcoming spectators from across Europe."