Gateshead International Stadium

Gateshead International Stadium is a multi-purpose, all-seater IAAF-standard athletics stadium on Neilson Road in Gateshead. The venue was originally Gateshead Youth Stadium, opened by Jim Peters on the 27th August 1955. It was built on derelict land which had once been the site of two chemical works dating from 1827 and 1834, respectively. The first major event at the stadium was the Vaux Breweries International Athletics Meet, held on the 1st July 1961. The first "Gateshead Games" were held in 1974, following upgrades to the track and stadium that year. During the 1980s, there were further improvements to the venue, including a new indoor sports hall, outdoor football pitches and a gymnasium. Over time prominent athletics events were held at the stadium, beginning with the Europa Cup (forerunner to the European Team Championships). Another round of refurbishment and expansion of the stadium occurred in 2008/9.