It was always going to be one of the busiest places in town for the Carabao Cup final and two hours before doors had even opened at St James’ STACK in Newcastle on Sunday, there was a queue right round the block. And some fans had been there before the sun had even come up to secure a prime spot to watch the game.
In the days that followwed United’s 2-0 second leg win (4-0 on aggregate) over Arsenal in the semi final, plans were announced for various fan zones across Newcastle city centre and, given just how popular it is every match day, supporters were keen to find out just what STACK had in store for Newcastle v Liverpool and if it would be a paid for ticketed event.
Unlike other large fan zones across Tyneside, St James’ STACK, which opened in August, confirmed it would be operating a free entry policy for the Wembley tie, with things being run on a walk ins only basis. That meant that there was always going to be massive interest in getting inside STACK for the final and, by 8am on Sunday, there was already a large queue lined up outside the main front door, all the way along the side of the building, past St James’ Metro and onto Barrack Road, with taxis dropping off more and more keen supporters all the time, to join the dedicated ones who’d been there for hours.
Just fays before the final, STACK announced that they’d teamed up with JD Sports to make cup final weekend even more special for fans, with new branding going up inside and out and the promise of big giveaways for everyone inside St James’ STACK for the match. Entertainment for the final will get going at 11am, with montages of NUFC’s best bits playing on the big screen, before things pick up a notch pre-match.
At 2pm the by then packed out venue will host a performance by The Belta Reivers, followed by an appearance by a surprise Newcastle United legend. Football freestyler Ross Brown will showcase his football skills at 3pm, with The Belta Reivers back on stage at 3.15pm, with a performance including the iconic Wor Flags and pyrotechnics. At 4pm the big screen will switch to pre-match commentary, before the game gets underway.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/st-james-stack-newcastle-final-31210460
