How does it work? God only knows.
Perhaps some season-ticket holders didn't show for the Mackem game, but saw the City fixture more important?
Or perhaps the club stuck some deckchairs somewhere.
Who knows, but Newcastle United recorded its highest attendance for more than 35 years.
Sunday’s final home game for the Magpies saw 52,389 supporters watch Newcastle take on league leaders Manchester City in a crunch game for both teams.
It was the biggest attendance at the ground since 1976.
Back then, on a freezing night on February 18, 52,760 supporters watched the Toon in a goal-less draw against Bolton Wanderers in an FA Cup fifth round replay.
For the record, United went to a flooded Elland Road five days later for the second replay and won 2-1 thanks to goals from Alan Gowling and Mickey Burns.