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Newcastle United Fans Celebrate Carabao Cup Win with Jubilant Victory Parade
An estimated 200,000 ecstatic Newcastle United fans participated in an open-top bus parade this afternoon, celebrating their historic Carabao Cup triumph at Wembley earlier this month. The victory marks the end of a 70-year domestic trophy drought for the club, prompting massive celebrations throughout the city.
Trophy Parade Through Newcastle City Centre
To commemorate their Carabao Cup victory, Newcastle United organized a celebratory bus parade through the city center. The procession commenced from St James’ Park at 4:30 pm, greeted by hundreds of thousands of adoring supporters who lined the streets, creating a jubilant atmosphere.
Celebrations at Town Moor
The open-top bus made its way to the Town Moor, the location for a ticketed celebratory event featuring a Q&A session with Newcastle club legends Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer.
Squad Salutes Fans with Club Legends
The current Newcastle United squad took to the stage at 6:30 pm to greet their fans. Newcastle icons Ant and Dec, known for their superfan status, energized the crowd, leading a chant of ‘Toon! Toon!’
Players and staff took turns lifting the Carabao Cup trophy to the roaring cheers of the massive crowd, encouraged by Ant and Dec.
Manager and Captain Address the Crowd
Following interviews with manager Eddie Howe and assistant manager Jason Tindall, club captain Bruno Guimarães led the enthusiastic crowd in a singalong of the Beatles’ classic, ‘Hey Jude.’
Newcastle United fans watch as the players pass by on an open-top bus during the Carabao Cup trophy parade in Newcastle.
Two buses, adorned in Newcastle’s black and white colors, display the slogan ‘WINNERS 24/25’.
A Newcastle fan climbs a tree to secure a prime viewing spot for the open-top bus tour.
Players Lead Fan Chants
Goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka then took the microphone to lead a song dedicated to winger Joelinton, featuring the lyrics: ‘He’s Brazilian, he only cost £40 million.’
Eddie Howe’s Emotional Address
Speaking to Ant and Dec on Sky Sports, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe expressed his awe at the scale of the celebration: ‘It’s unbelievable, I didn’t know what to expect today. I was hoping for something really special and hoping the weather would be good, but this is incredible, absolutely mindblowing.’
Visibly moved by the outpouring of support, Howe added, ‘I hoped a few people would turn up, but there are people hanging from lampposts, out of buildings. I hope everyone is safe and stays healthy.’
‘When you go to a new club, you never know if people will understand your character, but I am who I am. The people have been brilliant, I can’t thank them enough for the way they have embraced me and my family. I’m just glad to have given them some joy.’
Alan Shearer’s Joy and Pride
Newcastle’s all-time top scorer Alan Shearer shared his elation: ‘We could get used to this, couldn’t we? I don’t know where I am, what time it is, the past two weeks have been maybe the best of my life. It was bloody amazing.’
‘This is what we all wanted, I wanted this to happen in my lifetime. Eddie Howe and the rest of the team have made our magnificent city so proud.’
Shearer reflected, ‘I was lucky enough to win the Premier League with Blackburn, but two weeks ago was the best feeling I’ve ever had on a football pitch. Me and my family have been waiting for this day all our lives.’
Shearer spoke about his late father, a lifelong Newcastle supporter: ‘My dad was lucky enough to see them at the ’69 final [when they won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup], but he would have been watching from above.’
Fan Festivities and Build-Up
Earlier in the day, a full screening of the Carabao Cup final took place at 2 pm, allowing fans to relive the momentous victory.
Streets and buildings throughout Newcastle were decorated in black and white in anticipation of the celebrations. A large banner of Eddie Howe was displayed, and celebrity guests were expected to attend.
Ant and Dec were seen entering St James’ Park, greeting fans and signing autographs. Alan Shearer was also scheduled for a Q&A session at the Town Moor event.
Les Ferdinand on Team’s Grit and Fan Support
Former Newcastle striker Les Ferdinand commented on the current team: ‘We were dubbed ‘the entertainers’, a great title to have, but unfortunately, we weren’t able to win anything.’
‘I think this team has got a bit more grit and determination. We might have been a bit more flamboyant, but sometimes you need to be a bit more practical.’
‘What’s special about this group is this set of supporters. None of these players will be supported again like this no matter where they go.’
Parade Route and Schedule
Newcastle’s players and staff departed from St James’ Park at 4:30 pm, with the convoy proceeding past Haymarket and onto the Great North Road.
The bus arrived at Town Moor at 5 pm, with the squad taking to the stage at 6:30 pm. The evening was set to conclude with a light show sponsored by Sela.
Newcastle United players, including Alexander Isak, savor the atmosphere as the victory parade begins at St James’ Park.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer raises his club scarf as he appears on stage during the Carabao Cup victory celebrations.
Former Newcastle United player Alan Shearer is interviewed by presenters Lynsey Hipgrave and Pete Graves.
A fan imitates Alan Shearer’s iconic goal celebration atop his statue outside St James’ Park.
Smoke from flares fills the air as Newcastle fans gather outside St James’ Park.
Former Newcastle striker Les Ferdinand waves to the crowd at the Carabao Cup victory celebration.
Newcastle United players and staff acknowledge fans during the open-top bus victory parade.
Thousands of fans flocked to St James’ Park to witness the bus parade departure.
A Newcastle fan sits on the statue of Sir Bobby Robson outside St James’ Park.
Club legend Alan Shearer signs autographs before entering St James’ Park.
Hundreds of thousands of Newcastle supporters gathered in the city center to celebrate their team’s Carabao Cup win.
The parade proceeded through the city before reaching the Town Moor event.
Supporters donned black and white shirts and posed for photos.
A fan wearing novelty football glasses enjoys the celebratory atmosphere.
Fans wore masks of favorite players, including Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
A worker stands next to a large banner of Newcastle manager Eddie Howe.
A Newcastle fan waves a flag as fans watch the parade from an overpass.
Broadcast and Fan Arrival
Sky Sports and Newcastle’s official YouTube channel provided live broadcasts of the victory parade and celebrations.
Fans began congregating in city center pubs and bars before lunchtime, many sporting the club’s black and white colors and some wearing player masks.
Delayed Team Celebration
The parade marked the first opportunity for the Newcastle squad to celebrate their Carabao Cup success together, as many senior players had to depart for international duty shortly after the Wembley win, limiting initial celebrations in London.
Alexander Isak commented on the anticipation for the parade, stating, ‘They haven’t been in Newcastle, so I haven’t missed that part. We will come back and celebrate with the fans now.’
‘I think the parade will be incredible,’ Isak added. ‘It is a bus parade and something more, when you meet the fans on a big field. I don’t know exactly how many [fans] there will be, but most of the city I think.’
Eddie Howe to Receive Freedom of Newcastle
In recognition of his achievement in leading Newcastle to victory, manager Eddie Howe will be awarded the Freedom of Newcastle, the city’s highest civic honor. Previous recipients include Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer, and Jackie Milburn.
City council leader Karen Kilgour expressed her ‘delight’ at Howe’s nomination. ‘Generations of supporters have never seen their beloved club lift a domestic trophy, and under his leadership, we all now have treasured memories of a truly unforgettable day,’ she said. The honor is expected to be officially confirmed later in the year.
Defender Dan Burn has also been nominated for the Freedom of Northumberland.