Gateshead International Stadium

Gateshead International Stadium is a multi-purpose, all-seater stadium in Felling, Tyne and Wear, England. The present stadium is an extended version of the original Gateshead Youth Stadium which was built in 1955 at a cost of £30,000. The Youth stadium has been heavily renovated since it opened, most notably in the early 1970s and again in 2006 and 2010. With a maximum capacity of 11,800, it is the largest stadium by capacity in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead, the third largest in Tyne and Wear (behind only St James' Park and the Stadium of Light) and the sixth largest in North East England. The stadium is approximately 2 miles (3 km) east of Gateshead town centre and 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from the Gateshead Stadium Metro station.

The stadium is principally used for athletics. The inaugural athletics meet, the 'Gateshead Games', was held in 1974 and was an invitational meet instigated by Brendan Foster who was at that time employed by Gateshead Council. Foster, by breaking the world 3,000 m record, brought international publicity to the games and the new stadium. The Gateshead Games were the start of a long athletics tradition at the stadium which has since included hosting the British Grand Prix (2003–10) and the European Team Championships in 1989 and 2000. Gateshead Stadium is also slated to host the latter for a third time– the only venue to have done so– in 2013. Five world records have been set at the stadium, including two from Yelena Isinbayeva and a 100 m record set by Asafa Powell in 2006.

Although the stadium primarily caters for athletics, it is currently also home to several tenants. Gateshead F.C. have played their home games at the stadium since their modern inception in 1974. However, there are plans to vacate the stadium when their own purpose-built stadium is completed. Gateshead International Stadium was home to Gateshead Thunder rugby league club during their ill-fated spell in Super League and the reborn version of the club still play home games at the stadium, which is known as the Thunderdome when used by the Thunder. Gateshead Harriers Athletic Club, which includes Brendan Foster and Jonathan Edwards as life members, are the oldest tenants and have been using the stadium since 1956. As well as hosting sporting events, the stadium has also been used as a concert venue by numerous artists including Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams and Tina Turner.