McDonald Jones Stadium Seating Map (Newcastle Stadium): Bays, Hills and Best Seats
McDonald Jones Stadium, listed as Newcastle Stadium for Rugby World Cup 2027 and formerly Hunter Stadium, is Newcastle’s 30,000-capacity rectangular ground. It is home to the Knights (NRL) and the Jets (A-League) and hosts concerts. Find your grandstand bay or hill below, then compare Categories 1–4 and the hills on the interactive map for four RWC 2027 pool matches.
Schematic map by GoalTickets, not to scale. Category areas shown as published for Italy v Georgia (17 October 2027) on the official ticketing site on 1 October 2026; layouts can change by match. Your ticket shows your exact section.
Pick your category on the map
Then browse every Newcastle match with live prices per category.
Browse Newcastle RWC 2027 TicketsMcDonald Jones Stadium = Newcastle Stadium = Hunter Stadium. One rectangular ground at 294 Turton Road, Broadmeadow — also known historically as EnergyAustralia Stadium and the Newcastle International Sports Centre. Rugby World Cup 2027 lists it as Newcastle Stadium; Novocastrians say McDonald Jones or "the Sports Centre".
McDonald Jones Stadium bays, stands and gates
This layout applies to every event at McDonald Jones Stadium (Knights NRL, Jets A-League, concerts and rugby), not just Rugby World Cup 2027. Two grandstands run along the sidelines and grassed hills sit behind each end. Seats are located by bay, not by 100/200 section numbers. The pitch runs north–south.
| Area | Bays | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Johns (Eastern) Grandstand | Lower bays 01–11, upper bays 12–22 | On each tier, numbers run from the south end to the north end. Corporate Level 2 sits between the tiers. The upper tier was closed from March to October 2026 while its roof was replaced (local media report), so check the status for your event. |
| Western Grandstand | Lower bays 50–60, corner bays 49 (north-west) and 72 (south-west), upper bays 61–71 | Numbers run from north to south. This is the larger stand, with about 13,500 seats, 21 corporate suites and 5 function rooms, and corporate Level 2 between the tiers. |
| Northern Hill and Southern Hill | General admission grass | Low chairs are allowed at the back of the hills, and wheelchairs are welcome on the flat top. |
- Gates: your ticket shows your entry gate, and for concerts you must use the correct one. The venue’s accessibility guide says the Eastern Grandstand and South Hill are reached through Gate L via the south-west ramp, and the North Hill is best reached through the western gates (Gates 2 and 3). All gates have an accessible entrance. The venue does not publish a full gate map.
- Roof: the two grandstands are roofed and the hills are open to the weather. The venue does not publish a coverage figure and suggests a poncho for wet days.
- Accessible seating: wheelchair seating is in the Eastern Grandstand (bays 2, 4, 8, 10, 13, 15 and 21) and the Western Grandstand (bays 54–57, 62 and 70), with lifts in the centre of both grandstands. Book wheelchair or companion seating through Ticketmaster’s Accessible Bookings team (1300 446 925) or the stadium box office. A sensory room is at Bay 55 on the Western Level 1 concourse.
- Alcohol-free areas: these are set for each event on that event’s category map. For example, the Northern Hill was the alcohol-free zone for a 2026 Rugby League World Cup match.
- First aid: Level 1 of the Eastern Grandstand (Bay 10) and Level 1 of the Western Grandstand (Bay 50).
Sources: McDonald Jones Stadium’s official seating plan (February 2026, indicative), FAQs, accessibility, history and event pages. Bay positions are read from the official plan. Allocations can change for individual events, so always follow your ticket. Free to embed: our McDonald Jones Stadium RWC 2027 seating chart (with credit link).
Best seats for rugby at McDonald Jones Stadium
Short answer: McDonald Jones Stadium is a purpose-built rectangular ground with two covered grandstands along the sidelines and grassed hills behind the posts, so every seat is close to the pitch. The best seats for rugby are the lower-tier sideline sections in the Western Grandstand and the Andrew Johns Stand between the 22s, as close to halfway as you can get — Category 1 on the map. Category 2 sideline seats a few sections further out are the best value, and the hills (Category 4/Standing) are the cheapest way to see a Rugby World Cup match anywhere in Australia.
| Category | Where it is | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Lower tier, Western Grandstand and Andrew Johns (eastern) Stand, the central blocks either side of halfway | Widest view of the pitch, level with the halfway line, front rows only metres from the touchline. The seat to buy for Japan v Samoa. |
| Category 2 | Sideline blocks toward the 22s, plus the central rows of the upper sideline tier | Same head-on angle a little further from halfway or one tier up. Best price-to-view ratio in Newcastle. |
| Category 3 | The corners and the outer upper-tier sideline sections | Elevated view of the full pitch and both backlines; corner seats sit right on one try line. |
| Category 4 | Behind the posts at the northern and southern ends | Straight behind the goal kicks and close to tries at your end — and the most affordable seats at RWC 2027 (from $90). |
| Standing / hill | The grassed hills behind each end | Newcastle's traditional way to watch — bring a rug, sit on the grass and enjoy the cheapest ticket of the tournament. |
Sideline or behind the posts?
Sideline (Categories 1–2) to read the game from under cover; behind the posts or on the hill (Category 4) for a relaxed, budget-friendly afternoon close to one try line. The upper sideline tiers (Category 3) are steep enough to give a clear view of the whole pitch.
Sun, shade and rain
- Roof: both sideline grandstands are roofed; the hills and ends are open to the weather. The upper tier of the Andrew Johns (Eastern) Stand was closed from March to October 2026 while its roof was replaced (local media report), well ahead of the tournament.
- Daytime kick-offs: all four Rugby World Cup 2027 matches here start in daylight — Japan v Samoa (Sun 3 Oct, 12:15), Fiji v Spain (Mon 4 Oct, 14:15), Uruguay v Portugal (Mon 11 Oct, 17:15) and Italy v Georgia (Sun 17 Oct, 12:15). The pitch runs north–south. At midday the sun is high and to the north, so front rows on both sides can be in sun; by mid-afternoon it swings to the west, so the Andrew Johns (eastern) Stand faces the sun while the Western Grandstand is shaded first. Pick mid-to-upper rows under the roof, or bring a hat and sunscreen for the hills.
- Weather: Newcastle in early October is mild (around 20–23°C by day); a sea breeze often picks up in the afternoon, so take a light layer for the upper tier.
Rugby World Cup 2027 matches at McDonald Jones Stadium
Newcastle Stadium hosts four pool matches — the city's first ever Rugby World Cup games. Fixtures follow the official Rugby World Cup 2027 match schedule; kick-off times are Newcastle local time and may change.
| Date | Kick-off (local) | Match | Stage | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 3 Oct 2027 | 12:15 | Japan v Samoa | Pool E | Tickets |
| Mon 4 Oct 2027 | 14:15 | Fiji v Spain | Pool C | Tickets |
| Mon 11 Oct 2027 | 17:15 | Uruguay v Portugal | Pool D | Tickets |
| Sun 17 Oct 2027 | 12:15 | Italy v Georgia | Pool B | Tickets |
See the full RWC 2027 fixtures, Rugby World Cup 2027 ticket prices by stage and our general sale guide.
Getting to McDonald Jones Stadium: transport, gates and bag rules
- Address: 294 Turton Road, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 — about 4 km west of the Newcastle CBD.
- Train: Broadmeadow station is roughly a 15-minute walk from the ground; on match days event buses and taxis also run from the station. Newcastle Interchange connects to the Hunter and Central Coast & Newcastle lines from Sydney.
- Driving: parking on site is limited to the northern and southern car parks, with overflow (around 400 spaces) at the Newcastle Harness Racing Club next door on match days — arrive early or use public transport.
- Gates: enter through the gate printed on your ticket; every bag is subject to search at the turnstiles.
- Bags: the stadium's conditions of entry require anything you bring to fit under a grandstand seat — large eskies, beach trolleys and camping wagons are not permitted. Home-side ticketing terms suggest keeping bags to small-backpack size (about 45 cm × 35 cm × 10 cm). Tournament-specific bag rules for RWC 2027 will be confirmed closer to the date.
- Not allowed: alcohol, glass bottles and breakable containers, unsealed drinks, metal containers, skateboards and scooters, professional cameras with long lenses, lasers, fireworks and flares, and flags larger than 1 m × 1 m (national flags excepted).
- Tickets: GoalTickets delivers mobile tickets before match day; keep your phone charged for scanning at the gate.
McDonald Jones Stadium ticket categories explained
Category 1
Lower-tier sideline blocks in the Western Grandstand and the Andrew Johns (eastern) Stand around halfway — at a rectangular ground the front rows are only metres from the touchline.
Category 2
Sideline sections toward the 22s and the central upper-tier sideline rows — the same head-on angle as Category 1 at a lower price.
Category 3
The corners and outer upper-tier sideline sections of both grandstands — elevated views of the whole pitch, close to one try line.
Category 4 / Standing
Behind the posts at the northern and southern ends, including the grassed hills — the cheapest seats and standing room of the whole tournament.
Found your section?
Newcastle Stadium hosts Japan v Samoa, Fiji v Spain, Uruguay v Portugal and Italy v Georgia — all daytime kick-offs. Final price guaranteed — no hidden fees.
Browse Newcastle RWC 2027 Tickets →McDonald Jones Stadium FAQ: seating, gates and Rugby World Cup 2027
Is McDonald Jones Stadium the same as Newcastle Stadium and Hunter Stadium?
Yes. The ground at Broadmeadow opened in 1970 as the Newcastle International Sports Centre and has been known as Marathon Stadium, EnergyAustralia Stadium, Hunter Stadium and, since 2016, McDonald Jones Stadium. Rugby World Cup 2027 lists it as Newcastle Stadium because tournament venues use clean names. It is one venue with one seating map.
How are sections numbered at McDonald Jones Stadium?
By bay. In the Andrew Johns (Eastern) Grandstand, the lower tier is bays 01 to 11 and the upper tier bays 12 to 22, numbered from the south end to the north end. In the Western Grandstand, the lower tier is bays 50 to 60 (north to south), with corner bays 49 and 72, and the upper tier is bays 61 to 71. The Northern and Southern hills are general admission grass.
Which gate should I use at McDonald Jones Stadium?
Use the gate shown on your ticket. According to the venue, the Eastern Grandstand and South Hill are reached through Gate L via the south-west ramp, and the North Hill is best reached through the western gates (Gates 2 and 3). All gates have an accessible entrance. For concerts you must use the gate listed for your ticket.
Which Rugby World Cup 2027 matches are played at McDonald Jones Stadium?
Four pool matches: Japan v Samoa (Sun 3 Oct), Fiji v Spain (Mon 4 Oct), Uruguay v Portugal (Mon 11 Oct) and Italy v Georgia (Sun 17 Oct). They are Newcastle's first ever Rugby World Cup fixtures and include the cheapest tickets of the tournament, from $90.
What are the best seats at McDonald Jones Stadium for rugby?
Category 1 — the lower-tier sideline sections in the Western Grandstand and the Andrew Johns Stand closest to halfway — give the widest view, with front rows only metres from the touchline. Category 2 sideline seats are the best value. The grassed hills behind each end are the traditional budget option and the cheapest way to see a Rugby World Cup match live.
Are seats at McDonald Jones Stadium covered, and which side is in the sun?
Both sideline grandstands are roofed; the hills behind the posts are open. All four RWC 2027 matches here are daytime kick-offs. At midday the sun is high and to the north, so front rows on either side can be in sun; by mid-afternoon it moves west, so the Andrew Johns (eastern) Stand faces the sun and the Western Grandstand is shaded first. The Andrew Johns Stand's upper tier was closed from March to October 2026 while its roof was replaced.
How do I get to McDonald Jones Stadium and what can I bring in?
Take the train to Broadmeadow station, about a 15-minute walk from the ground, or use the limited northern and southern car parks and the Harness Racing Club overflow parking. Enter via the gate on your ticket; all bags are searched. Anything you bring must fit under a grandstand seat, and alcohol, glass, unsealed drinks, flares and oversized flags are prohibited.
How do I buy McDonald Jones Stadium Rugby World Cup 2027 tickets?
Choose your match from our Newcastle collection, pick a category from this seating map, and check out. Tickets are delivered to your phone before the match, and the price you see is the final price with no hidden fees. Compare stages on our Rugby World Cup 2027 ticket prices page.