
FAQ on ‘The Big One’ at St James’ Park
**Q: Why have Newcastle Falcons moved the game from Kingston Park Stadium?**
**A:** We want to grow our support base and create a major event for North East rugby. The match itself is billed as ‘The Big One’ but is only one part of a day which includes a huge junior festival with our Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup (held at Kingston Park earlier in the day) and also the student derby between Newcastle University and Northumbria University. The university derby will be a 3pm kick-off at St James’ Park ahead of a 5.30pm start time for the Falcons game, and it promises to be a real occasion.
**Q: Is the intention for this to become an annual event?**
**A:** Yes, but only if it is a commercial success and is well received by supporters. We have set ourselves a target of 20,000 tickets sold for this season’s game, which would represent the biggest club rugby crowd in the North East. We have seen other clubs staging similar fixtures like Harlequins at Twickenham and Saracens at Wembley, and we believe it can become a major sporting occasion for the region to enjoy. We will re-assess the situation after the game and decide from there if we are going to look to repeat it the following season. St James’ Park has already proven itself to be an outstanding rugby venue during Rugby World Cup and Magic Weekend rugby league, and we are sure supporters will enjoy the experience of watching Newcastle Falcons there.
**Q: Why 5.30pm on a Saturday?**
**A:** This time slot allows the majority of local rugby players to play their home games and get into town for the Falcons’ match. It also allows our younger supporters to get home at a reasonable hour and will not affect their Sunday junior rugby commitments. In addition, once the game is complete there is enough time for supporters to enjoy the numerous bars and restaurants in the city centre or to access the full range of public transport options, so we feel it is a time slot which best suits the biggest number of supporters.
**Q: BT Sport haven’t yet taken their picks for that round of matches, could the date and time of the game still change for TV?**
**A:** In theory there is a small chance it could change, but the indications we have received are that the date and time are very unlikely to be moved. The football fixture list isn’t a problem because it’s an international weekend, so Newcastle United don’t have a game. England football are due to be playing on the Friday and Tuesday so there is no clash on that side, either.
**Q: Will Falcons season ticket members be entitled to a free ticket?**
**A:** Yes. The club will be in touch shortly by letter and/or email to outline all the details regarding this, but essentially your season ticket membership entitles you to an East Stand seat at St James’ Park at no extra charge. There is no time limit by which you need to claim your free ticket, but those confirming earliest will have the best choice of seats.
**Q: I’m a season ticket member, can I buy extra tickets for friends and family to sit next to me?**
**A:** Yes. Season ticket members will have an exclusive window from now until December 1 to buy heavily discounted additional East Stand tickets via the Falcons. Should you wish to sit next to other particular season ticket members, please submit your forms together and state your desire to sit together. After December 1 online ticket sales for non-season ticket members will be via Newcastle United’s website, but season ticket members should still book via the Falcons.
**Q: I am a season ticket member who wishes to sit in a stand other than the East Stand, can I do so?**
**A:** Yes, but any additional tickets you buy for the game will not be at the heavily discounted rate on offer in the East Stand.
**Q: How much will tickets cost for non-season ticket members?**
**A:** Standard adult tickets will start from £10, with juniors from £5. Group discounts will also be available.
**Q: Can I use my ‘Tight Five’ voucher for this game?**
**A:** No, but with adult ticket prices starting from just £10 you can still get five adults into the game for just £50.
**Q: I’m a Falcons season ticket member who selected the ‘voucher’ option as my compensation for the Saracens game being moved to Philadelphia, which has put credit on my account to spend with either retail or ticketing. Can I use this credit to buy additional tickets for the St James’ Park game?**
**A:** Yes, please book through the Falcons ticket office.
**Q: I am a disabled season ticket member, how do I arrange a suitable equivalent ticket at St James’ Park?**
**A:** Disabled season ticket members can do this by going through Newcastle Falcons’ ticket office. Non-season ticket members wishing to access disabled tickets should contact Newcastle United’s ticket office.
**Q: I’m a season ticket member, can I upgrade to a hospitality package for this game?**
**A:** Yes, details of how to do this will be included in the communication we send out regarding tickets. For further information please email corporatesales@newcastle-falcons.co.uk or call our sales team on 0191 214 2892.
**Q: Will my season car park pass be valid for this game?**
**A:** Yes. All Kingston Park car park pass holders will receive a parking pass for St James’ Park for the game.
**Q: Does my Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints ticket also get me into the Northumbria University v Newcastle University game?**
**A:** Yes.
**Q: Why weren’t supporters informed about this when season tickets went on sale, and if I don’t wish to attend am I entitled to any compensation?**
**A:** The deal to move this game to St James’ Park has only just been concluded. If you cannot or do not wish to attend you can exchange your Northampton ticket for an equivalent extra ticket to another of our Premiership games, in line with our existing ticket exchange policy. This is subject to availability, and all ticket exchanges have to be made before the Northampton game.
**Q: Fans at football matches at St James’ Park can’t drink alcohol at their seats, will this be the same for the rugby?**
**A:** No, supporters will be allowed to drink at their seats, just as they are able to at Kingston Park Stadium. St James’ Park had similar plans in place for Magic Weekend and Rugby World Cup 2015, and in addition there will be a fan plaza around the stadium with live music, food, drink and entertainment.
**Q: I bought a ‘fan radio’ which I was promised would work for the full season. Will this system be in operation at St James’ Park?**
**A:** Yes.
**Q: Will the stadium big screen show match action and replays as it does at Kingston Park Stadium?**
**A:** Yes.
**Q: Will any charities benefit from the day?**
**A:** Yes. We will use this game to raise money and awareness for Doddie Weir’5 Discretionary Trust, which was set up following the Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis of our former captain Doddie Weir. A percentage of ticket sales will be donated, and we will announce further details nearer the time regarding other ways in which the discretionary trust will benefit.