Newcastle United see £32m training ground possibilities as upgrade plans announced

Newcastle United this week announced grand plans to extend their current Benton training facility as the search continues for a brand new location in the future. Thankfully the Magpies don't have to look too far to see the endless possibilities when it comes to upgrading their current setup. In the years since the 2021 takeover, vast resources have been put in to enhancing the building's kitchen, pool and recovery facilities, games room and office space.

Now, planning permission has been submitted for an extension to the club's Darsley Park location, with extra meeting space and support facilities prioritised. Newcastle's announcement comes weeks after Bournemouth unveiled their new surroundings, years in the making. The Cherries' new training ground includes 16 pitches, new medical, fitness, sports science facilities and offices.



"Everything around, the gym, the pools, the physio rooms, everything is top level," manager Andoni Iraola said. "And I was already happy with the ones we had before, so now even more happy.” The club's first-team, women's team and academy will train at the centre, with some of the initial plans drawn up by Eddie Howe during his time as manager.

Unfortunately, the Newcastle boss will take a backseat role when it comes to United's future space. “This is a very different club and with decisions around the training ground and stadium, I will be very much in the background, hearing what is happening from the experts involved and, hopefully, looking on in awe at what we’re going to do," Howe said recently. It is expected Newcastle's owners will pump significantly more money into future upgrades, as opposed to the reported £32m spent by Bournemouth, with figures of around £200m mooted in some circles.

Fellow top flight rivals, Leicester City, have also led the way in upgrading their training ground and the Foxes now boast of the best centres in the country - after spending £100m+ themselves. Unveiled in December 2020, the Midlands outfit now work out of a complex that has 21 playing surfaces, including 14 full-size pitches and a 500-seater mini stadia for academy players to watch the first-team. Players train in a customised gym, which includes fitness and hydrotherapy suites.

Modern tactical offices, medical centres, media areas, dining areas and revamped academy training pitches are also seen at the Seagrave facility. “Of all the investments we have made in the Club, this has been our most significant," Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said after unveiling the £100m project. For now, Newcastle will continue to try and identify a new site for a future training facility to depart their long-held Benton base.

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