Six things that change instantly now Newcastle United…

Six things that change instantly now Newcastle United are a Champions League club again

Newcastle United have done it and are in the Champions League after an unbelievable first full season for Eddie Howe and his backroom staff.

The excitement now starts to build as they prepare to play their first match in UEFA's premier competition since 2003 when they were beaten on penalties by Partizan Belgrade. However, this time they will go straight into the group stages as they take on the cream of the Continent.

Here's what will change for Howe's Euro Mags now they have made it to the Champions League.

Newcastle are guaranteed a lucrative prize pot

Last season teams who qualified for the Champions League were handed a starting fee of £13.4 million and that will increase for the 2023/24 campaign. The Magpies will also net a fee for each win they pick up with £2.4m earned last season for those who secured three points in the group stages and £802,000 for a draw.

Getting out of the group stage was worth £8.2m alone this season while the eventual winners can clock up close to £60million for winning the competition overall.

United enter the Carabao Cup at the third round stage

To help aid European participants the fixture programme has been eased by English football chiefs meaning Newcastle would not be required to play in round two of the competition for the first time in a decade. Last season United reached the final of the League Cup at Wembley and lost to Manchester United but their campaign started in earnest away to Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.

But after qualifying for Europe, Newcastle are afforded a bye into the hat for round three. With Howe knowing a tough season lies ahead in terms of the schedule this is already a bonus.

Newcastle's kids will be invited to play in the UEFA Youth League

Teams that qualify for the Champions League also invited to take part in UEFA's own youth tournament and must field an Under-19 team. This would be a stiff challenge for the Magpies given their struggles domestically this season but would offer invaluable experience to youngsters at the club.

Games are usually played the day before the first-team matches and include television broadcasting rights. Games are contested home and away in a mini version of the Champions League, the current holders are AZ Alkmaar who thrashed Hadjuk Split in the final 5-0 this year.

Fans can add Champions League badges to their jerseys for the first time in 20 years

Newcastle stars will have a special kit for European nights with the Champions League logo added to their shirts. The kit sleeve badges will be available from the club shop.

UEFA's flag will also be flying on the East Stand for Champions League nights and UEFA's logos and the tournament's major sponsors would replace the existing advertising hoardings on match days.

Media are invited to watch training sessions on the eve of the game

UEFA insist that part of training must be made available for broadcast and written journalists to take in a session ahead of the match. The media can watch training and take pictures for 15 minutes before being asked to leave the Press Tribune.

Access to training is extremely rare for the media but European nights are an exception to the rule.

UEFA dignitaries must be afforded VIP seating

There could be some very important guests heading to St James' Park next season with Champions League football back on the menu. And UEFA's top brass will be looked after.

The Champions League rulebook states clearly: "At every UEFA Champions League match, the home club must provide UEFA, free of charge, with a single exclusive hospitality area of a minimum of 400m² of open and usable space within the stadium.

"Following the group stage, the relevant home clubs should provide UEFA, free of charge, with a larger single exclusive hospitality area (ideally, a minimum of 500m²) in order to accommodate the increased number."