Newcastle United has revised its plans for celebrating their Carabao Cup triumph following backlash from supporters. Originally, the club intended to hold a celebration event on the city’s Town Moor rather than the traditional open-top bus parade. However, after receiving significant criticism, officials have decided to incorporate a short bus tour before heading to the main event.
The decision followed discussions between club representatives, the city council, and local police. Many fans had expressed disappointment over the lack of a parade, with some reaching out to local political figures to voice their concerns. In response, city council officials clarified that they had not prevented a parade but noted that logistical challenges were a major factor in the initial decision.
The parade’s organization has been complicated by the fact that Saturday is a busy shopping day in Newcastle’s city center. Additionally, law enforcement resources are stretched due to a Championship fixture between Sunderland and Millwall at the Stadium of Light. With many Millwall fans expected to travel through Newcastle en route to Wearside, security concerns played a role in shaping the event’s format.
Supporters welcomed the news that a bus parade would take place, but concerns remain about the logistics of the Town Moor event. Attendance required pre-registration by Sunday night, and there are no guarantees of entry on the day. The event, scheduled to run from 4 pm to 8 pm, will be standing-only, with no parking facilities available. The requirement to stand for an extended period has raised concerns among older supporters and families with young children. Additionally, unpredictable weather conditions could pose a challenge, as the site is known to become muddy in the rain.
Although alcohol will not be allowed, attendees will have access to soft drinks, food, and merchandise. The requirement for pre-registration using an email address has sparked speculation that the celebration is being turned into a commercial venture rather than a purely community-focused event. The club’s sponsor, a Saudi Arabian events company, will oversee the final part of the event, promising an extravagant closing show.
Meanwhile, the team’s manager and players who are not on international duty have spent the past week in Dubai for a training camp. They are set to return to Newcastle on Tuesday, having left the Carabao Cup trophy behind so it could be displayed at St James’ Park during the recent Women’s Championship match, which drew a crowd of over 38,500.
