MORE than 33,000 Newcastle United supporters have already bought season tickets for next season following Rafael Benitez's decision to stay on at St James' Park.

Benitez opted to continue in the role as Magpies boss despite relegation from the Premier League and that has led to even more fans signing up to watch a campaign in the Championship than they had for the top-flight.

And with just under a month remaining until Newcastle start the campaign at Fulham on August 5, supporters have a four-week general sale period in which to secure their seats for the home game opener against Huddersfield eight days later.

A limited number of seats have become available in the stadium’s hugely popular Family Area, offering a full season of football from £329 for adults and £68 for juniors.

Entry to the Family Area is based on a ratio of two adults to one child. Juniors up to the age of 18 can be unlimited, but under-13s must be accompanied by an adult.

Prices include a stadium-wide ten per cent discount on all season tickets, which was announced by the club in May - adding to a previous reduction of up to 54 per cent on all junior season ticket prices announced in February.

Newcastle are also opening St James' up for families to watch Benitez put his players through their paces in a training season at St James' Park during an Open Day on Monday, August 1.

The event, free for fans of all ages, will feature access to a range of fun activities around the ground too.

New boys Isaac Hayden, Jesús Gámez, Matt Ritchie, Dwight Gayle and Matz will be among the Newcastle players working out in front of them on the pitch.

Last year’s event proved hugely popular, attracting around 14,000 supporters. 

The club will announce a full schedule soon with activities expected to stretch from 9am into the early afternoon.