Newcastle United vs Everton Postponed Amidst Severe Weather Chaos in Tyneside
By ESPN Staff Writer
St. James’ Park, Newcastle | May 25, 2025
In a dramatic and unforeseen turn of events, the Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Everton, scheduled for Sunday afternoon at St. James’ Park, has been officially postponed due to severe weather conditions that rendered the stadium and surrounding areas unsafe for players, staff, and supporters.
The postponement was confirmed in a joint statement released by the Premier League, Newcastle United, and local emergency services early Sunday morning, following overnight storms that caused flooding across large parts of Tyne and Wear. Torrential rain, wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, and localized flash floods forced authorities to act in the interest of public safety.
Stadium Grounds Unplayable
Despite early optimism on Saturday evening that the game would proceed, the situation deteriorated rapidly overnight. Pitch covers proved insufficient against the deluge, and by dawn, large sections of the playing surface were submerged under several inches of standing water. In addition, the lower levels of the East Stand and parts of the players’ tunnel were reported to be flooded.
“The safety of everyone is our absolute priority,” read Newcastle United’s statement. “Given the severity of the conditions and advice from emergency services, we agree with the Premier League that the fixture cannot go ahead safely. We thank our supporters for their understanding and urge everyone to take necessary precautions during this weather emergency.”
Club staff, emergency personnel, and local council workers had been working tirelessly since early morning to assess and address the situation. However, with persistent rain and high winds forecast through the afternoon and into the evening, efforts to restore conditions to playable and safe standards were ultimately unsuccessful.
Fans Turned Away as Travel Chaos Unfolds
Thousands of supporters traveling from across the UK were impacted. Everton fans, in particular, faced major disruptions, with multiple road closures on the A1(M) and train cancellations on the East Coast Main Line. Reports emerged of fans stranded at transport hubs, while others had to abandon plans entirely amid public warnings against non-essential travel.
Local transport authorities issued advisories by 7 a.m., urging fans to stay indoors and avoid all travel in and around the city center. At Newcastle Central Station, scenes of confusion were visible as fans sought clarity on whether to proceed.
One Everton supporter, Stephen Hall from Liverpool, shared his frustration with ESPN: “We left early this morning, hoping the game would go ahead. But by the time we reached Darlington, the train was terminated. It’s disappointing, of course, but you can’t argue with nature. Hopefully, they reschedule it soon.”
Manager Reactions: Howe & Dyche Support Decision
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe addressed reporters from the club’s training facility, expressing disappointment but fully supporting the league’s call.
“You never want a game to be postponed, especially at home, where we were looking to bounce back after a tough away fixture. But the safety of everyone comes first. We’ve seen the pictures — the pitch simply isn’t playable, and the weather isn’t easing. We’ll use the time to reset and prepare for the fixtures ahead.”
Everton boss Sean Dyche, speaking from the team hotel, echoed the sentiment: “We were ready to go, but you could see from early morning that it was going to be a stretch. Player safety, fan safety — those come first. The authorities have made the right call.”
Impact on the League Table
This match held significant weight in the Premier League table. Newcastle, currently vying for a top-four finish and a Champions League berth, were hoping to gain crucial points at home. Everton, meanwhile, are locked in a tense relegation battle, sitting just two points above the drop zone.
A win for either side would have shifted momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. The delay now adds a layer of complexity to both clubs’ fixture congestion.
Sources within the Premier League suggest that rescheduling talks are already underway. However, with limited midweek slots available due to domestic and European cup commitments, fitting the match in could prove challenging. A midweek date in late June has reportedly been floated, pending both clubs’ agreement and pitch availability.
Fans Left Waiting — Again
This isn’t the first time weather has impacted fixtures at St. James’ Park. In February 2023, a game against Brighton was delayed by two hours due to a blizzard, and in 2018, high winds forced early gate closures. However, today’s full postponement is the most serious disruption in recent years.
Supporters, already grappling with fixture shifts due to TV broadcasting changes and European commitments, now face further uncertainty. For some, the financial impact of non-refundable travel and accommodation added to the frustration.
“We love the game, but this is the third time in two years I’ve had a ticket for a match that’s been moved or canceled,” said Newcastle fan Emma Lambert. “I understand the reasons, but there needs to be more support or options for fans when these things happen.”
The Premier League Fan Support Division has said it is working with clubs and partners to explore partial reimbursements and future ticket guarantees for affected fans.
What’s Next?
Both teams now shift focus to their upcoming matches. Newcastle are scheduled to face Aston Villa at Villa Park next weekend, while Everton return to Goodison Park for a critical home tie against Crystal Palace.
Training schedules for both clubs have been adjusted to accommodate the unexpected break. Medical staff are also using the opportunity to allow minor knocks and injuries to heal, especially with such tight margins influencing the final table standings.
Conclusion
Football may be a game of tactics and preparation, but as Sunday has shown, some variables remain stubbornly outside of human control. For Newcastle United and Everton, the postponement is a temporary detour in their campaigns — one that will test their adaptability and resilience in the crucial weeks ahead.
For fans, while today brought disappointment and disruption, it also highlighted the sense of community and shared purpose that defines English football. In the coming days, attention will shift to the rescheduling effort, and ultimately, to the pitch — where this postponed battle will still, in time, be fought.
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