Newport County and Dragons agree 10-year Rodney Parade lease

The Exiles signed a one-year extension with the Dragons for use of the historic ground shortly before the start of last season.

New County owner Huw Jenkins, whose takeover was completed in January, has been in negotiations over a fresh deal with the Dragons, with the EFL requiring clubs to have 10-year rolling leases from the 2025/26 season.

Details have been thrashed out and the Exiles will continue to use the stadium that they have called home since moving from Spytty Park in 2012.

“I issued the lease today, it’s not been signed yet but it is all good,” said new Dragons chief executive Rhys Blumberg to the Argus after a Q&A with supporters on Thursday evening.

“It’s a 10-year lease and in principle everything is agreed with a couple of Is to be dotted and Ts to be crossed. We are almost there and anything that needs ironing out is minor, the big principle agreement between the two parties has been agreed.

“The relationship with County is paramount to what we are doing here at the Dragons and I have been impressed by them since I’ve come in.”

Rodney Parade, home to Newport County and the Dragons (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Jenkins worked closely with the Ospreys when chairman of Swansea and stressed the importance of the relationship with the rugby club in an update to fans earlier this month.

“We both need each other if professional sport is to be successful in Newport, a must for the city,” he wrote.

Jenkins previously said that "the current costs [for using  Rodney Parade] are unsustainable based on our turnover.

"We are both in the same position where we need each other and to cut running costs at Rodney Parade to make it a sustainable venue for both codes. It is a big challenge that needs strong and committed control."

The Exiles had an average attendance of 4,336 last season, a figure that was boosted by bumper crowds for Wrexham and Manchester United.

They have already beaten the 2023/24 sales total for season tickets of 2,200 and County fans will profit from any developments and aesthetic improvements to the ground.

Blumberg told Dragons supporters that facilities for disabled supporters had already been identified as a priority, with the aim of adding to the facility on the North Terrace.

“We don’t have enough spaces, especially those that are covered when it is raining,” said the chief executive. “It’s something that needs addressing.”

The Dragons own the entire Rodney Parade site after owners David Buttress, David Wright and Hoyoung Huh completed a takeover from the Welsh Rugby Union last year.