Newcastle to change name to Red Bulls after takeover
It is understood that the move still requires ratification from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and for lawyers to complete the process, but Newcastle players and staff have been informed that Red Bull has agreed terms with Semore Kurdi, the former chairman.
Red Bull is said to have outlined an impressive vision, based on retaining academy products and making the club a destination for rugby union in the north of England, and will take on Newcastle's debt. This includes a Covid loan of close to £14.5m.
Newcastle will join a stable of sporting organisations including the Formula 1 team and football clubs such as FC Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig. Red Bull, also a minority investor in Leeds United, has been a partner of England Rugby since 2020, when Simon Massie-Taylor, Premiership Rugby's chief executive, was at the RFU as chief commercial officer. It also shares partnerships with individual athletes such as Jack Nowell and Ben Stokes.
Although there have been reports linking Red Bull to investment in R360, the embryonic global league initiative, its commitment to Newcastle is a robust endorsement of the Premiership and of rugby union in England.
New hope for flagging club
Steve Diamond, the Newcastle director of rugby, spent the 2024-25 season explaining that the club was in a 'holding pattern'. With Kurdi no longer prepared to bankroll Newcastle, having poured in around £25m since 2011, there had been discussions of a loan from the other Premiership clubs and CVC Capital Partners, the private equity firm that owns a stake in the league.
As far as results on the field, insiders have urged patience. Newcastle finished bottom of the Premiership table last season after two wins from 18 league matches. Having continually faced a struggle to retain talent, they have lost several influential players ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Jamie Blamire, the England hooker, has joined Leicester Tigers and former captain Callum Chick will also be in the East Midlands with Northampton Saints. Further departures, including that of wing Ben Stevenson to Vannes in France, have been announced over the summer.
However, the Red Bull takeover offers hope of consolidation and exciting development. There is understood to be a drive to improve the club's infrastructure and strengthen the academy pathway in order to challenge for silverware in the future.
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