Gateshead International Stadium welcomes Newcastle United Women
Newcastle United Women FC (NUWFC) will be moving into Gateshead International Stadium, starting from the upcoming 2025/26 season.
The team, who play in the Women's Super League 2 - one league below the top level women's league - will join Gateshead FC in calling the stadium home.
Gateshead International Stadium, which is owned by Gateshead Council and operated by GLL as part of its Better brand of leisure facilities, will benefit from Newcastle United's investment in an elite playing surface and upgraded facilities.
The women's team is moving away from their current base at Kingston Park, the home of Newcastle Falcons, which has an artificial pitch.
Playing on a grass pitch is a requirement for any team to play in the top tier Women's Super League, so moving to Gateshead International Stadium ensures the club can pursue promotion safe in the knowledge that they can comply with this requirement.
The agreement has been carefully considered to ensure Gateshead FC will still be able to compete as normal in the National League, and will also benefit from the NUWFC investment.
When GLL took over the running of the stadium in April, the deal included a commitment for Gateshead FC to continue playing their home games there, subject to an agreed licence between the two parties. This fulfilled the English Football League's entry criteria if the club becomes eligible for promotion.
There will be no clashes between Gateshead FC and NUWFC fixtures as a national system ensures both teams can be accommodated in the same ground, just as many other clubs do elsewhere in the country.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said:
"It's fantastic to welcome Newcastle United Women to Gateshead.
"Gateshead International Stadium has a proud history of hosting top class sporting events and with women's football now one of the fastest growing sports in the world, we're ready to build on that."
Tim Bestford, Head of Service for GLL North Region said:
"The stadium is going from strength to strength, with investment in the pitch and other facilities coming shortly after a full gym refurbishment.
"We're thrilled that NUWFC will soon be joining us and making Gateshead International Stadium an even better facility for players, spectators and other visitors."
NUWFC secured back-to-back promotions in 2023/24 after winning the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division title.
At the same time as they move to Gateshead International Stadium, the team has also moved to a new training base at Cochrane Park in Newcastle.
Su Cumming, Head of Women's Football at Newcastle United, said:
"This is an exciting 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 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."
Newcastle United Women FC (NUWFC) will be moving into Gateshead International Stadium, starting from the upcoming 2025/26 season.
The team, who play in the Women's Super League 2 - one league below the top level women's league - will join Gateshead FC in calling the stadium home.
Gateshead International Stadium, which is owned by Gateshead Council and operated by GLL as part of its Better brand of leisure facilities, will benefit from Newcastle United's investment in an elite playing surface and upgraded facilities.
The women's team is moving away from their current base at Kingston Park, the home of Newcastle Falcons, which has an artificial pitch.
Playing on a grass pitch is a requirement for any team to play in the top tier Women's Super League, so moving to Gateshead International Stadium ensures the club can pursue promotion safe in the knowledge that they can comply with this requirement.
The agreement has been carefully considered to ensure Gateshead FC will still be able to compete as normal in the National League, and will also benefit from the NUWFC investment.
When GLL took over the running of the stadium in April, the deal included a commitment for Gateshead FC to continue playing their home games there, subject to an agreed licence between the two parties. This fulfilled the English Football League's entry criteria if the club becomes eligible for promotion.
There will be no clashes between Gateshead FC and NUWFC fixtures as a national system ensures both teams can be accommodated in the same ground, just as many other clubs do elsewhere in the country.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said:
"It's fantastic to welcome Newcastle United Women to Gateshead.
"Gateshead International Stadium has a proud history of hosting top class sporting events and with women's football now one of the fastest growing sports in the world, we're ready to build on that."
Tim Bestford, Head of Service for GLL North Region said:
"The stadium is going from strength to strength, with investment in the pitch and other facilities coming shortly after a full gym refurbishment.
"We're thrilled that NUWFC will soon be joining us and making Gateshead International Stadium an even better facility for players, spectators and other visitors."
NUWFC secured back-to-back promotions in 2023/24 after winning the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division title.
At the same time as they move to Gateshead International Stadium, the team has also moved to a new training base at Cochrane Park in Newcastle.
Su Cumming, Head of Women's Football at Newcastle United, said:
"This is an exciting 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 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."
