Newcastle Falcons will play against Sale Sharks at St James’ Park at 5.30pm on Saturday March 23. Here, we address the most frequently asked questions.

Q: WHY IS THE GAME AGAINST SALE?

A: The fixture date has been the pre-determining factor rather than specific opposition. March 23 falls during a football international window which allows Newcastle United to host us with minimal disruption. As we are also attempting to use The Big One as a way to raise the club’s profile and establish it as a must-see event, when the opportunity arose to play around the same weekend as last season, it was logical to take it.

Q: WHY 5.30PM ON A SATURDAY?

A: This time slot allows the majority of local rugby players to play their home games and get into town for the Falcons’ match. It also allows our younger supporters to get home at a reasonable hour and will not affect their Sunday junior rugby commitments. We are working with the local leagues and societies to see if local rugby matches can kick-off slightly earlier. This means players can participate in their own games and then come to The Big One after playing In addition, once the game is complete there is enough time for supporters to enjoy the numerous bars and restaurants in the city centre or to access the full range of public transport options, so we feel it is a time slot which best suits the biggest number of supporters.

Q: I’M A SEASON TICKET MEMBER, WILL MY TICKET BE IN THE EAST STAND AGAIN THIS SEASON?

A. If you want it to be. Season ticket members in the East or West Stand at Kingston Park can claim their tickets in the category one priced areas of the East or Milburn Stand at St James’ Park. Season ticket members for the North or South Stands at Kingston Park can claim their free tickets anywhere in the East Stand at St James’ Park. Season ticket members can also claim tickets in the Gallowgate or Leazes Stands, though this choice does have an impact on any additional tickets you may wish to purchase.

Q: I’M A SEASON TICKET MEMBER, CAN I BUY EXTRA TICKETS FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO SIT NEXT TO ME?

A: Yes. Season ticket members can buy discounted additional tickets in the areas reserved for season ticket members. Additional ticket purchases made in the specified areas for your season ticket membership will enjoy a £10 discount. Additional tickets purchased by season ticket members who opt for the ticket to be in the Gallowgate or Leazes Stand will be at the normal advertised rate.

Q: I’M A SEASON TICKET MEMBER WHO ATTENDS AS PART OF A GROUP, WILL WE ALL BE ABLE TO BE SEATED TOGETHER?

A: As far as possible, we will try and make allocations so you can enjoy the game with your fellow fans as you would at Kingston Park Stadium. Should you wish to sit next to other particular season ticket members, please submit your forms together and state your desire to sit together.

Q: I’M A SEASON TICKET MEMBER, WHY IS MY TICKET MORE EXPENSIVE THAN LAST YEAR?

A: Season Ticket members last season told us they would like a greater choice of where to sit within St James’ Park, including the option to sit in the Milburn Stand. We have therefore allocated tickets a price band higher to allow this option. It is possible to move your seat back to the same areas as last season and pay the same price if you wish to.

Q: HOW MUCH WILL TICKETS COST FOR NON-SEASON TICKET MEMBERS?

A: Standard adult tickets will start from £10, with juniors from £5.

Q: CAN I USE MY ‘TIGHT FIVE’ VOUCHER FOR THIS GAME?

A: No, but with adult ticket prices starting from just £10 you can still get five adults into the game for just £50.

Q: FANS AT FOOTBALL MATCHES AT ST JAMES’ PARK CAN’T DRINK ALCOHOL AT THEIR SEATS, WILL THIS BE THE SAME FOR THE RUGBY?

A: No, supporters will be allowed to drink at their seats, just as they are able to at Kingston Park Stadium. St James’ Park had similar plans in place for Magic Weekend and Rugby World Cup 2015, and in addition there will be a fan plaza around the stadium with live music, food, drink and entertainment.

Q: I AM A DISABLED SEASON TICKET MEMBER, HOW DO I ARRANGE A SUITABLE EQUIVALENT TICKET AT ST JAMES’ PARK?

A: Disabled season ticket members can do this by going through Newcastle United’s ticket office by calling the football club’s dedicated phone number for disabled supporters. To speak to a member of this dedicated team please call 0191 201 8457. Non-season ticket members wishing to access disabled tickets should contact Newcastle United’s ticket office via the same contact number.

Q: I’M A SEASON TICKET MEMBER, CAN I UPGRADE TO A HOSPITALITY PACKAGE FOR THIS GAME?

A: Yes, details of how to do this will be included in the communication we send out regarding tickets. For further information please email corporatesales@newcastle-falcons.co.uk or call our sales team on 0191 214 2892

Q: WILL MY SEASON CAR PARK PASS BE VALID FOR THIS GAME?

A: Yes. All Kingston Park car park pass holders will receive a parking pass for St James’ Park for the game.

Q: WHY WEREN’T SUPPORTERS INFORMED ABOUT THIS WHEN SEASON TICKETS WENT ON SALE, AND IF I DON’T WISH TO ATTEND AM I ENTITLED TO ANY COMPENSATION?

A: The deal to move this game to St James’ Park has only just been concluded. If you cannot or do not wish to attend you can exchange your Sale ticket for an equivalent extra ticket to another of our Premiership games, in line with our existing ticket exchange policy. This is subject to availability, and all ticket exchanges have to be made before the Sale game.

Q: I BOUGHT A ‘FAN RADIO’ WHICH I WAS PROMISED WOULD WORK FOR THE FULL SEASON. WILL THIS SYSTEM BE IN OPERATION AT ST JAMES’ PARK?

A: Yes.

Q: WILL THE STADIUM BIG SCREEN SHOW MATCH ACTION AND REPLAYS AS IT DOES AT KINGSTON PARK STADIUM?

A: Yes.

Q: IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP TRACK OF THE SCORE LAST SEASON FROM THE EAST STAND AND PARTS OF THE GALLOWGATE STAND, HAS ANYTHING BEEN DONE TO MAKE THIS EASIER

A: We are working with Newcastle United to make additional score displays around the ground and will confirm these in due course.

Q: WILL ANY CHARITIES BENEFIT FROM THE DAY?

A: Yes, with full details set to be announced in the near future.

Q: WILL THERE BE A FAN PLAZA ON STRAWBERRY PLACE AGAIN?

A: Yes and we’re working on making it bigger, better and the focus of the pre-match build up. Details will be confirmed in the build-up to the game, however, at this early stage, we can confirm it will again host food stalls, Newcastle Falcons merchandise and a stage with live entertainment.

Q. IS THERE A UNIVERSITY FIXTURE THIS SEASON?

A: No. With the fixture falling close to the end of the University term and with additional pre-match access needs for both the Falcons and Sale, we have made the decision that the Big One 2019 will not have a pre-match curtain raiser. We do hope that plenty of students attend The Big One and will be working with both universities to ensure it’s easy to purchase.