North East Mayor commits £24m to Gateshead Quays arena site
Plans for a new arena on the banks of the Tyne have taken a major step forward, as Gateshead Quays is set to receive £24m from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness to get work started.
The investment marks a significant turning point in the project to bring a new major 12,500-15,000 seat arena to the North East.
It will be larger than the current 11,000 capacity Utilita Arena in Newcastle city centre.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, said: “We’re one step closer to bringing the biggest bands to the North East with a new arena at Gateshead Quays. This is a really exciting step forward for this project which will mean local people can enjoy more world-class shows right here on their doorstep.”
The funding will allow Gateshead Council to begin infrastructure and enabling works on the site. The work will create a platform for a new arena, delivery of Gateshead Quays public realm – including a new performance square next to The Glasshouse International Centre for Music – and a park connecting the riverside to Baltic Quarter.
In addition to local stars, a new arena may bring additional events to the North East, much like the MOBO Awards and Mercury Prize which was hosted by the Utilita Arena in 2025.
The Mercury Prize is returning to Tyneside once again this year.
McGuinness added: “Our region is hugely proud of our home-grown talent like Sam Fender and Jade Thirlwall, but we need a modern arena to bring more big names to the North East.
“Our funding will get the site ready for the development, so people will be able to see enabling works start on-site soon. We’re speeding up developments that benefit local people and it would be amazing to see the world’s biggest bands playing on the banks of the Tyne in the near future.”
The funding will also be used to identify an operator for the new arena after research confirmed at least four major operators’ interest in the site.
Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, added: “Gateshead people are at the heart of everything we’re building for the future. The huge cash boost for Gateshead Quays is not just about preparing a site – it’s about laying the foundations for a world-class arena that will put Gateshead on the map and spark new energy, confidence and opportunity across our region.
“Residents have waited a long time to see momentum, and this funding means that works will turn ambition into visible, tangible progress.
“Gateshead deserves cultural spaces that inspire, places that bring people together and investment that creates jobs and opportunities for our people. This project is a major part of delivering that future, and it reflects the ambition, pride and potential of Gateshead.”
Gateshead Council announced the initial plans for the site in 2017.
There were calls at the start of this year for the project to be abandoned, although these were rejected by Gateshead Council.