Newcastle, England – A Champions League night turned into a comical misadventure for one FC Barcelona supporter who inadvertently traveled nearly 600 kilometers to the wrong “St. James’ Park.” The fan, intending to witness Barcelona’s clash against Newcastle United on Tuesday, ended up at the home ground of Exeter City FC, a League One club in Devon, England.
The incident, confirmed by Exeter City, highlights a simple yet costly error – a slight difference in the stadium names. While Newcastle United plays at St. James’ Park, Exeter City’s stadium is named St. James Park, lacking the possessive “’s.”
According to Exeter City, the fan only realized his mistake upon presenting his ticket to stadium personnel. “He first noticed when he showed staff his ticket,” the club shared on social media. Despite the initial disappointment, the evening wasn’t a total loss. Exeter City happened to be hosting a match of their own, offering the stranded fan a ticket to their League One fixture against Lincoln City.
“Luckily, Exeter were also at home on Tuesday night, albeit in League One rather than the Champions League,” Exeter City stated. “So, he at least got to experience a game of football.” Fan liaison officer Adam Spencer recounted the story, noting the fan’s limited English made navigating the error even more challenging. “One of our volunteers came into the office to let us know this guy had turned up expecting to observe Barcelona. His English wasn’t great. I suspect he just typed ‘St James Park’ into his phone and followed the directions.” Spencer added that the fan had traveled from London, making the detour even more significant.
The fan, understandably disheartened, was offered a complimentary ticket to the Exeter City match. He witnessed a 1-0 defeat for the home side against Lincoln City. While not the Champions League spectacle he’d anticipated, it provided a unique and memorable experience.
Exeter City’s St. James Park is a well-regarded venue in English football, known for its passionate atmosphere and, notably, the largest standing terrace in the professional game. The club also stands out for its supporter ownership model, a rarity in the increasingly commercialized world of English football. Currently, Exeter City occupies a mid-table position in League One.
The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with many users expressing amusement at the fan’s geographical blunder. It serves as a lighthearted reminder of the importance of double-checking details, especially when traveling for major sporting events.
Barcelona and Newcastle United played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. Lamine Yamal scored a late penalty for Barcelona after Harvey Barnes had given Newcastle the lead. The second leg will be played next Wednesday at Spotify Camp Nou in Barcelona.
For the Barcelona fan who found himself in Exeter, the journey was a detour, but one that ultimately offered a different kind of football experience. It’s a story that highlights the unexpected twists and turns that can occur, even when following your team across continents.
What’s Next: Barcelona will host Newcastle United in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday, March 17th at Spotify Camp Nou. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM ET (9:00 PM CET).
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