Newcastle Falcons confirm takeover by Red Bull as Austrian brand makes foray into the Gallagher PREM
Updated 12/08/2025 at 10:27 GMT+1
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Newcastle Falcons have confirmed their takeover by Red Bull as the Austrian energy drink brand makes a first foray into the Gallagher PREM. The club added that while they will remain at Kingston Park and retain Steve Diamond as their director of rugby, they will now be named Newcastle Red Bulls. The takeover marks the end of Newcastle's previous owner Semore Kurdi's year-long search for a buyer.
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Gallagher PREM club Newcastle Falcons have confirmed their takeover by Red Bull.
The club will remain at their home ground, Kingston Park, and retain Steve Diamond as their director of rugby, but will now be named Newcastle Red Bulls.
Red Bull's first foray into English top-flight rugby marks the end of a year-long search for a buyer at Newcastle, with the club's previous owner Semore Kurdi having been looking for someone to take the club on since last Autumn.
Indeed, Red Bull have a reputation of turning struggling football and Formula 1 teams into heavyweights, while the Austrian brand has also invested in cycling and ice hockey sides.
Red Bull CEO Corporate Projects and Investments Oliver Mintzlaff said: "Together, we aim to elevate rugby to new heights and deliver unforgettable moments for our fans. We’re delighted to have acquired Newcastle Red Bulls and look forward to empowering the club to reach its full competitive potential."
On the takeover, PREM rugby CEO Simon Massie-Taylor said in statement: "Red Bull’s takeover of Newcastle is a landmark moment for our sport and a powerful endorsement of our vision and strategy for the future of the Gallagher PREM.
"We are hugely excited by Red Bull’s ambition for the club, which includes developing the player pathway in the North East and growing the club’s fanbase. Their track record in global sport, from high-performance expertise to world-class marketing, will bring enormous value not only to Newcastle but to the Gallagher PREM as a whole.
"I would like to formally thank Semore Kurdi and Dave Thompson, whose long-standing stewardship and dedication to Newcastle Rugby have been instrumental in paving the way for this transformational deal.
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"This investment follows a period of sustained fan growth, alongside foundational deals with TNT Sports, title partners Gallagher and other commercial partners plus the milestone Professional Game Partnership with the RFU, which are all building strength and momentum across the Gallagher PREM and the English game.
"It validates the progress we’ve made, the league’s current standing in the sport and its vast potential, which we are working hard to unlock with further reform so we can take the Gallagher PREM to the next level.
"Red Bull share our ambition to raise standards and we look forward to working together to shape the PREM into a world-leading, globally loved rugby competition."
Newcastle Red Bulls face Harlequins in the PREM Rugby Cup on September 12 before starting their league campaign against Saracens two weeks later.
Stream the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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