Newcastle: Little-Known Premier League Stadium Rule Only St James’ Park Can Break
Famously, an away trip to Newcastle United is one of the toughest match days a Premier League club can have. Indeed, at its best, the atmosphere at St James’ Park can be as intimidating as any ground in Europe.
That cacophony of noise is perhaps helped by a little-known rule that the club have been given special dispensation to break. Newcastle are the only team in the English top-flight who are exempt from this ruling, and it’s been in place since 2017/18.
Why St James’ Park Exempt From Premier League Rule 10.3
The rule in question was introduced at the start of the 2017/18 season, and is known as Premier League rule 10.3. In short, it means away fans should not be located at pitchside for all top-flight grounds.
Those who have ever travelled as a way fan to St James’ Park will recall the lengthy climb up a mammoth 14 flights of stairs just to get to the away section, which is located in the upper tier of the Leazes End. This is unlike any other ground in the Premier League.
The rule was initially brought in as the Premier League felt that visiting fans should be housed at pitchside level to protect atmospheres in top tier matches. The Magpies were initially granted a special dispensation before which was then made permanent.
It essentially came down to safety concerns. A statement from Newcastle, via ChronicleLive, at the time explained:
“Analysis showed that each proposed option for relocation significantly increased the risk of confrontation, conflict and potential disorder between home and away supporters entering and, in particular, exiting the stadium”.
There were also concerns for home fans with season tickets who would potentially have to relocate from their usual spots in the Leazes End, although it remains unclear if that played a part in the dispensation being granted.
Newcastle’s full statement reads: “Newcastle United can confirm the club has been granted exemption from the Premier League’s ‘Away Supporter Location’ ruling.
“Premier League rule 10.3, which was introduced at the start of the 2017/18 season, requires clubs to locate away supporters together, with a minimum of one seating block to be situated pitch-side, subject to local authority approval.
“Since the redevelopment of St James’ Park in 2000, away supporters have been located on level seven of the Leazes Stand and will remain there after extensive consultation with the local authority, emergency services and independent consultants concluded it to be the most appropriate location to ensure the safety of away supporters.”
And all these years on, the rule remains in place, with Newcastle still the only team exempt. Indeed, eagle-eyed fans would have noticed when Gabriel scored a late winner in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory at St James’ Park, the away fans could not immediately be spotted as the Brazilian and his teammates ran to the corner flag to celebrate. Instead, they were high up in the stands, distant but delighted nonetheless.
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