McDonald Jones Stadium: All You Need To Know

McDonald Jones Stadium is the home of the Newcastle Knights, located in the suburb of Broadmeadow, around 5 km west of Newcastle’s CBD. Originally opened in 1970 as Marathon Stadium by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and redeveloped multiple times since, it remains one of the NRL’s more traditional venues, closely tied to the working-class, rugby league - mad identity of the Hunter region.

The stadium is known for its passionate supporter base and hostile game-day atmosphere with fans packing the grandstands in red and blue. When the crowd is up and about, McDonald Jones Stadium can feel tight, loud and uncompromising - especially for visiting sides unused to Newcastle’s raucous footy culture.

The Knights’ home in the Hunter

McDonald Jones Stadium has been the home of the Newcastle Knights through every era of the club, witnessing both triumphs and heartbreaks that have defined the team’s identity. 

The venue was the Knights’ base for premiership glory in 1997, when they famously defeated Manly in a memorable Grand Final and again in 2001, with Andrew Johns masterfully leading strong squads to premierships on both occasions. It was also the stage for some of Newcastle wrecking ball Paul ‘The Chief’ Harrigan’s most legendary moments and his famous kick off collision that left he and long time rival Mark ‘Spud’ Carrol on the floor. 

With a capacity of roughly 33,000, the stadium blends old-school suburban footy character with modern upgrades, including improved grandstands, lighting, and corporate facilities.

Best Places for a Pre-Game Drink

The Delany Hotel 

A bustling Newcastle pub with happy hour on Fridays from 3pm-6pm, $99 bottomless brunches on Saturday’s and Sunday’s plus $7 beer, wine and spirits on game day for those in Knights colours. Roughly 15 minutes by car to the ground, The Delany is a great spot for a crew looking for a solid pre-game. 

The Kent Hotel (Hamilton)
A classic Newcastle pub and one of the most popular pre-game meeting points. Big beer garden, good food, plenty of taps and a steady flow of Knights jerseys before kick-off. No mention of whether or not our good mate Kenty had anything to do with the name, but we’ll go with for the sake of this article. 

Maryville Tavern
The Maryville Tavern is a strong pre-game option for Knights fans if you want proper food before the footy. It’s known for its wood-fired pizzas, solid pub classics and a good craft-leaning tap list, all served in a relaxed beer-garden setting that fills up with locals on game day. 

Getting There

By Public Transport
Catching the train is the easiest option on game day, with Broadmeadow Station on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line just a 10–15 minute walk from the stadium. Trains run regularly from Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney, with extra services often added for major events. Free event shuttle buses also operate on game days from the Newcastle CBD and surrounding areas, running from around two hours before kick-off and returning after full-time, dropping fans close to the stadium entrance.

By Car
Driving is possible but parking around McDonald Jones Stadium is very limited and often needs to be pre-booked via Ticketmaster for major events. Surrounding streets have residential parking restrictions, so arriving early is essential. Designated rideshare and taxi drop-off zones are set up near Young Road, making drop-offs easier even if parking isn’t available.

Game Day

Food & Drinks
Food at McDonald Jones Stadium is managed by Gema Group which brought in a number of dining options in 2024. Fans can enjoy popular local and international brands, including Uprising Bakery, Hunter Valley premium meats, Sushi Hub, and Oakberry acai bowls as well as traditional favourites like hot dogs, pies, chips, tacos, souvlaki, pizza, and plant-based options.

Merchandise
Official Newcastle Knights merchandise is available on game day at various outlets scattered around the ground. Items include jerseys, scarves, hats and supporter gear.

Accessibility
McDonald Jones Stadium is designed for accessibility, with ramps, lifts, and reserved wheelchair seating in both grandstands. Accessible toilets are nearby, and mobility parking is available close to entrances. There’s also a Sensory Room on the Western Level 1 Concourse for fans who need a quieter space.

Payment
The stadium operates as a cashless venue. All food, beverage and merchandise purchases must be made using card or mobile payment.

Post-Match

Beaumont Street (Hamilton)
The go-to post-match hub. Most fans head straight back here for drinks, food and atmosphere, regardless of the result.

Newcastle CBD
For those heading back toward town, bars around Honeysuckle, Darby Street and the waterfront offer a more polished post-game option.

For recovery mode, Newcastle’s café scene - particularly along Darby Street and the inner-city suburbs - is ideal for coffee, brunch and a slower start the next day.