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Newcastle United have confirmed a series of changes they have already implemented and are planning to make to St James' Park and the matchday experience ahead of the upcoming season. In an official club statement, the Magpies have unveiled a host of improvements they say have been shaped directly by feedback gathered from supporters following every home fixture, with more than 27,000 fans completing a matchday experience survey this season.

While supporters continue to await an announcement on whether the club intends to expand the iconic ground's capacity or relocate to a new stadium, Newcastle have set about making a number of low-key upgrades to their existing home. One particularly striking improvement to watch out for will be the stadium lighting, with all floodlights set to be replaced with the very latest lighting technology ahead of next season. Newcastle believe this will significantly improve visibility, while also 'opening opportunities for more pre-match light and entertainment moments'.

Several top-flight grounds have already adapted their lighting systems to stage pre-match light shows, and it appears Newcastle will be primed to follow suit next season.

While such displays have proved a hit with certain supporters, others remain firmly opposed, believing they detract from the atmosphere in the build-up to kick-off.

Newcastle have also confirmed that work is under way to deliver full stadium 5G, with installation set to take place over the next nine to 12 months, while the ground's PA system has been overhauled following years of efforts to enhance the sound quality.

The Magpies have additionally announced enhancements to their food and drink provision, toilet facilities, improved accessibility throughout the ground, additional digital screens at kiosks and 2,000 seats that have been refurbished, with further upgrades in the pipeline.

Addressing the stadium decision confronting Newcastle, chief executive David Hopkinson said back in December: "Even if we could wave a wand right now, and wake up tomorrow morning with a decision over a brand-new stadium, this is our decision and this is where we're going, then those revenues would still not show up for five years.

"You'd already be beyond the 2030 horizon. But if you look at something like global partnerships and global sponsorships, which I've talked about a lot, then we can do that today.

"We can literally wake up tomorrow morning and get cracking on closing some of those obvious and less obvious opportunities.

"So much of this is self-help, and so much of our ability to increase our revenues, and therefore our competitiveness, is within our purview right now.

"They're right in front of us, right now. I don't know to what extent that that will sustain us beyond 2030, without a major inflection, stadium renovation or rebuild, other major changes.

"But what I'm focusing on is what we do need to change between now and 2030? Our plan is to set us up to succeed in these next four or five years, and then it's also about what steps are we taking to make sure we succeed beyond 2030?"

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