EXETER, England – A Barcelona supporter experienced a Champions League travel nightmare on Tuesday, arriving at the wrong “St James’ Park” – a full 366 miles off course. Instead of witnessing his team’s clash against Newcastle United in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the fan mistakenly ended up at the home of Exeter City, a League One club in Devon, England.
The incident, first reported by BBC News and The Athletic, highlights a surprisingly common naming quirk in English football. Both Newcastle United and Exeter City play at stadiums called St James’ Park, the difference being an apostrophe in Newcastle’s stadium name (St James’ Park) versus Exeter’s (St James Park). The supporter, believed to be Spanish, had apparently entered “St James Park” into his GPS navigation system without specifying a city, leading to the lengthy and frustrating detour from London.
“His English was hesitant, but we gathered he’d come from London,” Adam Spencer, Exeter City’s supporter experience officer, told BBC Devon. “I suppose he’d put St James Park in his phone and then just followed the directions from there.”
The realization of the error came when the fan presented his Champions League ticket to Exeter City staff. Despite the disappointment, the League One club stepped in to salvage the evening. “He was really gutted and a bit embarrassed,” Spencer said. “So, we got him a ticket and he got to watch the game at the real St James Park.” Exeter City hosted Lincoln City on Tuesday evening, with the Grecians falling 1-0 in a League One contest.
While the fan watched Exeter City, Barcelona and Newcastle United played to a 1-1 draw in the Champions League fixture. Lamine Yamal scored a late penalty for Barcelona to secure the draw.
The incident is a reminder of the importance of precise navigation when traveling to sporting events, particularly in a country with multiple venues sharing similar names. For international fans unfamiliar with the nuances of English geography, the potential for confusion is significant. The story quickly gained traction online, becoming a talking point among football fans across Europe.
Exeter City, known for its community-focused approach, has extended a warm invitation for the fan to return. “He can come back anytime, he will always be welcome,” Spencer added. The club’s gesture has been widely praised as a demonstration of sportsmanship and hospitality.
St James Park in Exeter, opened in 1904, currently has a capacity of 8,219, a stark contrast to the 52,305-seat St James’ Park in Newcastle. The Exeter venue is served by the St James Park railway station and has undergone recent redevelopment work, including a £3.4 million project to improve facilities.
The fan’s misadventure underscores the dedication of football supporters willing to travel great distances to support their teams. While this particular journey didn’t go as planned, it ended with a memorable, if unexpected, experience at a different St James Park.
What’s Next: Barcelona will host Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on April 16th. Exeter City will continue their League One campaign on Saturday, March 15th, against Cambridge United.
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