Match-day information: The Big One
On what promises to be another great occasion for the club, here is all the match-day information you need to know to make the most of your day.
**Kick-off time –** Saturday’s game against Sale kicks off at 17:30. The fan plaza on Strawberry Place opens at 12 noon.
Team news – Both teams have been announced, [**click here**][1] to see how the Falcons and Sale line up.
**Match ticket purchases –** Tickets for the game are still available from Newcastle United and can be booked by [**clicking here**][2], calling 0844 372 1892 or in person from the St James’ Park Stadium box office. Online and phone orders can be made until 14:30 on Saturday, after which time all purchases will be via the box office only in person. Advanced prices remain valid until match day, when all tickets are subject to a £5 match-day premium.
**Match ticket collections –** For supporters who have already bought their tickets via Newcastle Falcons, these will be available to collect from the Kingston Park Stadium box office until 5pm on Friday March 22. Any tickets not collected by this time will be available from the collection points at St James’ Park from 14:00 on Saturday March 23.
**Stadium access -** St James’ Park’s turnstiles will open at 4pm. Please allow plenty of time to enter the stadium and get to your seat for the start of the game. Entry to the ground is by dedicated turnstiles, as indicated on your ticket. Once you have entered the stadium, there will be no pass in / pass out opportunities.
**Programmes –** A special edition souvenir programme has been produced for The Big One, with the 84-page glossy publication on sale for £4 from sellers in and around the stadium.
**Fan plaza –** Located in Strawberry Place at the Gallowgate end of the stadium and hosted by Heart FM breakfast show hosts Justin and Kelly, this is the place to be for the match build-up. Opening at 12 noon, there will be a range of street food, soft drinks, and alcohol available to purchase in the plaza, with live music, family entertainment and the famous double-decker bus bar all present.
**European trophies -** The European trophies are in the fan plaza between 1pm and 2.30pm. Take a selfie with them and share on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #newcastle2019trophiestour or post to the @Newcastle2019 Facebook page to be in with a chance of winning two tickets to the Challenge Cup Final on Friday May 10 at St James’ Park.
**Stadium refreshments -** A range of hot and cold snacks, soft drinks, and alcohol are available to purchase in all concourse areas of St James’ Park. Supporters are able to drink alcohol at their seats.
**Pre-match entertainment –** Inside the stadium before kick-off there will be live music from The Fifth Fusilier Band, and fireworks. Foils are situated in the East stand for fans to hold up as the team run out – please can any fans in these seats make their way in before 17:15 to ensure you are part of the action!
**Bucket collection –** There will be a bucket collection for My Name’5 Doddie foundation in the run up to kick-off and after the match.
**Official merchandise -** Official Newcastle Falcons merchandise will be available to purchase on the day, with the Kingston Park Stadium store open from 09:00 – 15:00, and outlets open in the Fan Plaza from 12:00.
**CAST Volunteers -** Say hello to our CAST volunteers in the blue uniforms, they will be on hand to answer all of your questions in the run-up to the game and will once again be selling Foundation Flutter Lottery tickets.
**Foundation Flutter -** Newcastle Rugby Foundation will be selling Foundation Flutter Lottery tickets as usual on match day. Offering supporters the chance to win the Newcastle Falcons special edition man-of-the-match shirt or corporate hospitality to another Newcastle Falcons home fixture, tickets are available from sellers around the ground and in the Fan Plaza pre-match, priced at £1 per ticket.
We would like to say a huge thank you to Barclays, who have kindly vowed to match every £1 donated to the Newcastle Rugby Foundation through the Foundation Flutter Lottery.
**FAQs**
**I’m driving to The Big One, where can I park? -** Given the city centre location, there are no unreserved public car parks on event days at St James’ Park. Instead, we recommend using public transport to reach the stadium. If you do need to use your car, use the postcode ‘NE1 4ST’ in your sat-nav to find it. There are a number of public car parks signposted clearly on arrival in Newcastle city centre, though be warned – they are likely to be extremely busy! Newcastle Falcons season ticket holders can access the stadium car park by using their regular seasonal car parking pass.
**My group are bringing a bus, is there a drop-off point? -** Buses with allocated spaces will be able to park on Barrack Road next to St James’ Park. The deadline to book a bus space at the stadium has passed. For further information or to check availability, please email gavin.beasley@newcastle-falcons.co.uk .
**Can I bring a bag into the stadium? -** We would recommend that you bring as little as possible with you. Your safety is our top priority and there will be security checks in place upon entry to the stadium. There are no areas to store luggage and/or pushchairs during events at St James’ Park. Bags larger than a rucksack size may not be permitted and will be at stewards’ discretion.
**Fans at football matches at St James’ Park can’t drink alcohol at their seats, will this be the same for the rugby? -** 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 last year and for Magic Weekend.
**Will my fan radio work like it does at Kingston Park? –** Yes, a system has been put in place to make sure fan radios work at St James’ Park.
**If I have a concession ticket, do I need to bring ID? -** Yes, if a concessionary ticket has been purchased, identification may be requested on entry. Holders of such tickets should ensure that they have appropriate ID with them.
**Who do I speak to if I have questions on the day? -** For corporate enquiries, please contact the main glass reception in the Milburn Stand at St James’ Park. For ticketing enquiries, please contact the Newcastle United box office. Look out for our Cast members, dressed in blue uniform on the day, our group of volunteers will be happy to help and point you in the right direction.
[1]: https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/team-news-goneva-back-for-the-big-one
[2]: https://book.nufc.co.uk/en-GB/categories/the%20big%20one