Match Day Park and Ride bus
Newcastle United supporters living in Newcastle Great Park can continue to enjoy a dedicated matchday bus service to St James' Park, with free parking and adult return tickets costing just £2. The Great Park Consortium has confirmed that the X40 Soccerbus will operate for the remaining Newcastle United home matches of the 2026/27 season, providing a convenient alternative to driving into Newcastle city centre.
Football fans in Newcastle Great Park have been given confirmation that the dedicated X40 Soccerbus will continue running between the estate and St James' Park throughout the remainder of Newcastle United's 2026/27 season.
The announcement comes from the Newcastle Great Park Consortium, which says the service offers a direct transport link for supporters and other members of the public on home matchdays.
Operated by Go North East, the X40 connects Great Park Park & Ride with St James' Park, allowing passengers to travel to the stadium without having to find parking in Newcastle city centre.
The service is open to everyone, including home and away supporters, with no requirement to hold a Newcastle United match ticket.
For Great Park residents who regularly attend matches, the dedicated shuttle could provide a straightforward and affordable way to get to the ground and back.
How much does the Great Park Soccerbus cost?
One of the biggest attractions of the X40 is its relatively low fare.
According to Go North East, the current prices are:
PassengerFareAdults – single£1.50Adults – return£2.00Aged 21 and under – single£1.00Great Park Park & Ride parkingFree
That means an adult attending a match can travel from Newcastle Great Park to St James' Park and back for £2.
Two adults travelling together would pay £4 for their return journeys.
Passengers can buy tickets directly on the bus using cash or contactless payment.
Tickets can also be purchased in advance through the Go North East app.
For people driving to the Park & Ride, there is no additional parking charge for the matchday service.
This could make the X40 particularly attractive compared with paying to park in the city centre.
However, passengers should remember that the bus itself is not free.
The free X40 trial held in May 2026 was a separate arrangement and does not reflect the fares now charged for the regular service.
Where does the X40 Soccerbus leave from?
The service departs from Great Park Park & Ride, located off Great Parkway.
Location: Great Park Park & Ride, Newcastle Great Park.
Postcode: NE13 9NR.
Passengers can either make their way to the Park & Ride or use the available parking spaces before boarding the shuttle.
Go North East says dedicated parking is available free of charge on matchdays, with an attendant present to help direct drivers to the appropriate spaces.
For residents who already live within Newcastle Great Park, using the Park & Ride may mean being able to avoid driving into Newcastle entirely.
Those travelling from surrounding areas such as Wideopen, Brunton Park, Gosforth or Kingston Park may also find the facility convenient.
Anyone planning to park should follow the signage and staff instructions on arrival.
What time does the Soccerbus run before kick-off?
According to the latest Newcastle Great Park Consortium announcement, X40 Soccerbus services are expected to run at approximately 15-minute intervals around home matches.
Go North East confirms that the first departure from Great Park Park & Ride is scheduled two hours before kick-off.
Services then continue at frequent intervals until the final departure, which is scheduled for 15 minutes before kick-off.
For example, for a match starting at 3pm, the advertised operating window would begin at approximately 1pm, with the final outward bus scheduled around 2.45pm.
These times are illustrative rather than a confirmed timetable for any particular fixture.
Residents should check the published X40 timetable for the match they plan to attend.
Although the final bus is scheduled shortly before kick-off, it would be sensible to travel earlier to allow time for traffic, boarding and getting into the stadium.
Official X40 timetable:
https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/services/GNE/X40
Where does the bus drop passengers off?
The X40 provides a direct connection to the stadium area.
Before the match, the bus drops passengers off on Barrack Road, beside St James' Park.
This means supporters can reach the stadium without needing to walk from Haymarket, Eldon Square or another city centre bus stop.
For families attending matches with children or people who would prefer to minimise the walk to the ground, this could be particularly convenient.
The service is also open to passengers travelling into the city centre for other reasons, provided they use it during its matchday operating times.
However, it should not be confused with an ordinary daily bus route.
The X40 is a special service organised around Newcastle United home fixtures, rather than a regular all-week connection into Newcastle.
Where do passengers catch the return bus?
This is an important detail for supporters to remember.
The return pick-up point is different from the pre-match drop-off point.
According to Go North East, passengers travelling back to Great Park after the match should board the X40 at:
St Andrew's Church, Newgate Street, Newcastle city centre.
The return service does not normally depart from the same Barrack Road location where passengers are dropped off before kick-off.
Anyone unfamiliar with the area should check the pick-up location before the match, rather than trying to find it after the final whistle.
Go North East's website provides the relevant route and service details.
How long after the match does the X40 operate?
The Newcastle Great Park Consortium's announcement describes services operating around the two hours before and after matches.
However, Go North East's published matchday guidance is more specific.
The operator states that buses return from St James' Park at frequent intervals, with the final X40 departure scheduled 40 minutes after the final whistle.
Supporters should therefore not assume that buses will continue running for two hours after the match.
For anyone planning to remain in the city centre for a meal, drinks or another activity, that shorter return window is especially important.
If you miss the final X40, you will need to arrange alternative transport back to Great Park.
The service operator also confirms that if a match is delayed or goes into additional or extra time, return departures will be adjusted accordingly.
Our advice: Check the official Go North East timetable and return pick-up instructions for your particular fixture.
Do you need a Newcastle United match ticket?
No.
Go North East confirms that the Soccerbus is open to everyone.
Both Newcastle United supporters and visiting fans can use it, and a match ticket is not required.
Members of the public travelling into Newcastle city centre may also use the service during its operating hours.
This could be useful for residents visiting shops, restaurants or other city centre destinations on matchdays.
However, because the bus is designed around football fixtures, anyone using it for a non-football journey should check that the times suit their plans.
The final return departure after the match is an important limitation.
Residents needing more flexible travel throughout the day may find regular bus services more suitable.
Can I use my ordinary bus pass?
This is another important point.
Go North East says that Magpie Mover tickets are valid on the X40 Soccerbus.
However, several other types of prepaid ticket are not accepted.
The operator specifically lists the following as not valid:
Network One passes.
Ordinary Go North East adult tickets.
Go North East 5 to 25 tickets.
Concessionary travel passes.
This means passengers should not assume their normal bus ticket or travel pass will cover the matchday shuttle.
Anyone unsure should check with Go North East before boarding.
The operator accepts cash and contactless payment for the standard X40 fares.
How did the Great Park Soccerbus begin?
The X40 service follows a successful effort to explore alternative transport options for Newcastle United supporters.
A special trial took place on Saturday 2 May 2026, when Newcastle United hosted Brighton & Hove Albion.
The trial was organised following feedback from supporters at a sustainable travel workshop.
The aim was to provide another option for travelling to St James' Park while reducing the need for supporters to drive into the city centre.
During that initial trial, passengers holding match tickets could travel free of charge.
Buses operated between Great Park Park & Ride and St James' Park, with return journeys departing from Newgate Street.
The arrangements were developed with Newcastle United, Go North East and other partners.
Following the trial, the X40 was introduced as a regular matchday service for the 2026/27 football season.
It began operating for the home match against Bournemouth on 5 September 2026.
The latest announcement confirms that residents can continue to use the service for the remaining home fixtures this season.
Newcastle City Council funding helped establish the service
The introduction of the X40 has also involved support from Newcastle City Council.
In August 2026, the Council approved the use of Section 106 funding to support the Great Park Soccerbus for a one-year period.
Section 106 contributions are funds or obligations secured through the planning process to help address the impact of developments and provide supporting infrastructure or services.
The Council subsequently awarded a contract to Go North East to operate the matchday Park & Ride service during the 2026/27 season.
The published contract information identifies a value of £72,000 excluding VAT.
This provides some context for how the service has been established and supported.
However, the current funding arrangements relate to the 2026/27 season.
The latest announcement does not confirm whether the X40 will continue beyond that season.
Any extension would need to be confirmed separately.
Could the X40 reduce matchday traffic?
The service could offer benefits beyond simply getting fans to the football.
On Newcastle United home matchdays, roads around St James' Park and the wider city centre can experience considerable pressure.
Parking close to the stadium can also be limited.
By providing a dedicated service from Great Park, the X40 offers another option for motorists who would otherwise drive into the city centre.
Newcastle United has promoted Park & Ride services as part of its efforts to encourage more sustainable matchday travel.
The club already benefits from another shuttle service, the X50, which operates between the Metrocentre and St James' Park.
The addition of the Great Park X40 extends that approach to the north of Newcastle.
However, the scale of any reduction in congestion or emissions will depend on passenger numbers and how people would otherwise have travelled.
No current figures have been provided in the latest Consortium announcement showing how many people are using the Great Park service.
What other buses serve Newcastle Great Park?
The X40 is a dedicated matchday service, but residents also have access to regular public transport links.
These include services connecting Great Park with Gosforth, Regent Centre, Jesmond, Haymarket and other destinations.
The Q3 Quaylink provides connections between parts of Great Park and central Newcastle, while other services serve different parts of the development.
For residents heading into Newcastle on days when the X40 is not operating, the regular bus network remains an alternative.
However, routes, fares and timetables vary, and not all services stop at the same points within Great Park.
Residents can view the latest information through the Newcastle Great Park website.
Newcastle Great Park public transport information:
https://www.newcastlegreatpark.com/public-transport-options/
Great Park X40 Soccerbus: Everything you need to know
🚌 Bus service: X40 Soccerbus
🚍 Operator: Go North East
📍 Departure point: Great Park Park & Ride, NE13 9NR
🏟️ Destination: St James' Park, Newcastle
⚽ When does it operate? Newcastle United first-team home matchdays.
🕒 First bus to Newcastle: Two hours before kick-off.
🕒 Last bus to Newcastle: 15 minutes before kick-off.
🔄 How often? Approximately every 15 minutes.
⏰ Last return bus: 40 minutes after the final whistle, according to Go North East.
💷 Adult single: £1.50
🎟️ Adult return: £2.00
👦 Aged 21 and under: £1.00 single
🚗 Parking: FREE at Great Park Park & Ride.
🎫 Do you need a match ticket? No. The service is open to everyone.
📍 Return pick-up point: St Andrew's Church, Newgate Street, Newcastle.
💳 Payment methods: Cash, contactless or the Go North East app.
✅ Is Magpie Mover accepted? Yes.
Important: Check the latest X40 timetable before travelling, particularly the final return departure, to avoid missing the bus home.
Official timetable: https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/services/GNE/X40
What should residents do before travelling?
If you're planning to use the X40 for an upcoming Newcastle United home match, there are a few things worth checking.
First, confirm the kick-off time, as fixtures can be moved for television coverage or other reasons.
Next, check the X40 timetable for that particular match.
If driving, head to Great Park Park & Ride and follow the signs or instructions from staff.
If you are walking or being dropped off, make sure you know where the shuttle departs from.
Remember that the bus drops passengers off near St James' Park before the match, but picks them up from Newgate Street afterwards.
Finally, keep the last return bus in mind.
If you're planning to stay in town after the match, consider whether another bus service, taxi or Metro connection would be a better option.
A welcome option for Great Park's Newcastle United supporters
For Newcastle Great Park residents who follow the Magpies, the X40 offers a relatively inexpensive and straightforward way to reach St James' Park.
With free parking, low fares and a direct stadium connection, the service could be particularly attractive to families and supporters who would otherwise drive into Newcastle.
The confirmation that it will continue for the rest of the 2026/27 season also gives residents an opportunity to make use of it at future home fixtures.
The question longer term will be whether the service attracts enough demand and support to continue beyond the current season.
For now, supporters can enjoy another matchday travel option close to home.
Have you used the Great Park Soccerbus?
The Great Park Gazette would love to hear from local Newcastle United supporters.
Have you already travelled on the X40 this season?
Was it easy to find the Park & Ride and the return bus stop?
Would you like to see the service become a permanent part of Newcastle's matchday transport network?
Share your experiences through the Great Park Residents Group.
Your feedback could help other residents decide whether to give the service a try.
Official information and timetables
Newcastle Great Park Consortium – Soccerbus from NGP
https://www.newcastlegreatpark.com/soccerbus-from-ngp/
Go North East – X40 Soccerbus timetable
https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/services/GNE/X40
Go North East – Buses for Newcastle United matches
https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/nufcbuses
Go North East – 2026/27 Soccerbus information
https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/soccer-bus-shuttle-back-2627-season
Newcastle Great Park – Local bus services
https://www.newcastlegreatpark.com/public-transport-options/
Newcastle United – Matchday travel information
https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/matchday-information-hub/travelling-to-st-james-park
Information checked in October 2026. Fares, departure times, pick-up points and operating arrangements may change. Passengers should confirm the latest details with Go North East before travelling.
