Stadium Of Light - Sunderland stadium
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Last Update:
July 23, 2024
The Club moved to the Stadium of Light in 1997, after leaving their former home of Roker Park where they had played for 99 years. The stadium is of a good size, is enclosed and on the whole is quite impressive.
It is composed of two three-tiered stands (at the North end and the West side of the pitch), whilst the others are two-tiered. The West (Main) Stand on one side also has a row of executive boxes (which you can sit outside if you wish), that are situated just below the top tier. Currently, with half the stadium being larger than the other, it looks a little imbalanced, when looking from the Roker Stand.
However, if at some point the Club were to add a tier to the two remaining sides, then an even more remarkable stadium would emerge. There is also a large video screen perched upon the roof at either end.
Outside the stadium, there is a statue of former FA Cup-winning manager Bob Stokoe, as well as some reminders of the former Wearmouth Colliery, on the site on which the stadium was built. Behind the West Stand, there is a large red wheel, an emblem of the lifts that used to take the miners down to the mines.
Also outside one corner of the stadium is a large miners’ lamp. If you feel a little mischievous, then ask the nearest Sunderland fan whether it is a Geordie Lamp. Don’t worry you won’t get any physical abuse, just a long lecture that the lamp is, in fact, a Davy lamp!
In December 2018 the club renamed the South Stand, the Roker Stand, in tribute to their old ground, following a vote by fans.
Home fans will enter through the turnstile corresponding to the number listed on their ticket at the Stadium of Light. There are several entrances on all four sides of the stadium.
Away fans will enter the stadium via turnstiles 69-72 before making the long walk up several flights of stairs to the away end.
There are four main accessible entrances at the Stadium of Light. They can be found at 62A, 32A, 46A and 54A.
Away fans are housed in the Upper Tier of the North Stand at one end of the stadium, where around 3,000 fans can be housed for league games.
For cup games, then up to 9,000 visiting supporters can be accommodated in this tier if demand requires it). The away turnstiles, which are electronic, are numbered 69-72 and open 90 minutes before kick-off. Although the facilities are fine in this area, you do have to climb a large number of flights of stairs to reach this top tier.
It almost feels as if this area has been ‘tucked in’ under the stadium roof, as it comes down over this section. It means that if you are sitting towards the back of the tier, then although you can see the pitch, you get a limited view of the majority of the rest of the stadium, giving the feeling of being a bit cut off from it all.
On the food front, then the club offers fish and chips, pies, burgers, hot dogs amongst other things.
Pubs near the Stadium of Light include:
- The Wheatsheaf – 207 Roker Avenue, SR6 0BN
- Harbour View – 1 Benedict Road, SR6 0NX
- The William Jameson – 30-32 Fawcett Street, SR1 1RH
Sticky Korean chicken and chips at Sunderland (@SunderlandAFC)
💷 £5 pic.twitter.com/PQido4MMEJ
— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) February 14, 2023
Pulled pork and beef with chips, stuffing and gravy at Sunderland (outside @SunderlandAFC)
💷 £3.80 pic.twitter.com/DAPbrmoTRf
— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) April 24, 2022
The club announced in March 2024 that Safe Standing will be introduced at the stadium for the 2024/25 season. Safe Standing rails will be installed across blocks U14 and U37 from row 23 and blocks U38 and U39 from row 24 in the Roker End.
Exit the A1 at Junction 62, the Durham/Sunderland exit and take the A690 towards Sunderland. After about eight miles, you will reach a roundabout, at which turn left onto the A19, signposted for the Tyne Tunnel. Stay in the left hand lane and take the second slip road towards Sunderland (signposted Stadium Of Light, A1231 Sunderland). This takes you onto a bridge crossing over the River Wear. Turn right onto the A1231 following the signs for Sunderland. Go straight over four roundabouts into Sunderland.
Then go through two sets of traffic lights (keeping in the left hand lane at the second set, going straight on towards Roker rather than the city centre) and you will see the Stadium car park on your right, about a mile after the traffic lights. However there is only limited parking at the ground itself and there is a residents only parking scheme in operation on streets close to the stadium (especially on the estate behind the North Stand). So please check for any warning signs on lamp posts before parking, or you may end up with a hefty parking ticket for your trouble.
Instead you can park at the Stadium of Light Metro Station (cost £1) or alternatively, you can park in the city centre and walk to the ground (about 10-15 minutes). The traffic for a couple of miles around the ground was solid when I went so allow plenty of time for your journey.
There is also a ‘Park & Ride’ scheme in operation on matchdays, free for both home and away supporters. This is situated at Sunderland Enterprise Park, which is well signposted just off the A1231. Buses run every five minutes, for 90 minutes before kick off and continue after the game until everyone has gone. There is also the option of renting a private driveway near the Stadium of Light via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.
Post Code for SAT NAV: SR5 1SU
Sunderland Railway Station is located just under one mile away from the Stadium of Light and takes around 15-20 minutes to walk.
The nearest airport is Newcastle which is located 24 miles away. However the journey is pretty straightforward as both the Stadium Of Light and Newcastle Airport are both served by the Metro transit system. There are frequent departures to Sunderland and the journey time is just under an hour.
First home game back. Let’s get a full house. Over 12 months since attending. This ringing around the Stadium of Light after such a troubling year would be a moment to remember #SAFC
— Speak Sunderland (@SpeakSAFC) March 24, 2021
For more information on ticket prices for Sunderland matches, visit the official Sunderland website for more information.
Red & White Review Official Programme £3
A Love Supreme Fanzine £2.50
Sex & Chocolate Fanzine £1.50
Sunderland vs Newcastle rivalry: All football fans know about this derby despite the two teams being separated by an entire league right now. There aren’t a wealth of teams in the North East and these two are just 12 miles apart. There is, however, a non-footballing element to the dislike between Geordies and Mackems; that rivalry can be traced back to the English Civil War. Violent outbreaks are not uncommon in this fixture.
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough rivalry: The Tees-Wear derby does bring a little bit of fireworks to matchday with the clubs both located in the North East of England. Sunderland, however, are much closer to Newcastle and that means their fans care much less about this derby – although winning is still nice!
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.
The Club offer daily tours of the stadium, except on matchdays.
These cost £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.
A family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) is also available at £25.
For tour times and availability ring the tour hotline on 0871 911 1224.
Record Attendance
At The Stadium Of Light:
48,353 v Liverpool
Premier League, 13th April 2002.
At Roker Park:
75,118 v Derby County
FA Cup 6th Round Replay, 8th March 1933.
Average Attendance
2023-2024: 40,412 (Championship)
2022-2023: 38,631 (Championship)
2021-2022: 30,847 (Championship)
2020-2021: 0 (Covid) (League One)
2019-2020: 30,118 (League One)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Images
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Sunderland v Blackpool
League 1
Saturday 14th December 2019, 3pm
Kris Burnett (Blackpool)
Sunderland v Tranmere Rovers
League 1
Tuesday 22nd October 2019, 7.45pm
David Sindall (Tranmere Rovers)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
I have never visited the Stadium of Light, and doubt that we will be in the same division as Sunderland next season.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The ground was easy to find. I parked in the nearby Metro Station car park (easy to get in, slow to get away from). Only about five minutes from the stadium.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Tried the pub at the away end but it was crap. Walked down to the Harbour Hotel, much better but they don’t do food midweek. I ended up eating at the Roker Chippy, which was okay but not the best. All the fans were really friendly, no tension, lots of friendly chat before and after the game.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
A proper stadium. One of the best I’ve been to. However, the climb up to the away end was never-ending. Lightened by the use of quotes on the wall but if anybody has mobility impairments give yourself plenty of time. The home fans were very quiet.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
We lost to 5 stuffy goals! Despite this, the Super White Army were loud and proud. Sunderland fans were very quiet. Plenty in there too, over 23,000. Maybe they were overawed by the ease of their win.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Like I say, the Metro Station car park took a long time to get out of. Headed into the city centre then out to the A1. It took a while. The Sunderland fans very happy to chat with us. ‘Best fans – worst team’ was a frequent comment.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A great day out spoilt by our performance. The Sunderland fans, stewards and locals were faultless.
Sunderland v MK Dons
League 1
Saturday 28th September 2019, 3pm
Peter Williams (MK Dons)
Sunderland v Oxford United
League One
Saturday 3rd August 2019, 3pm
Luke Mcintosh (Oxford United)
Sunderland v Portsmouth
League One
Saturday 27th April 2019, 3pm
Barry (Portsmouth)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
A vital game for both teams and with a sold-out away allocation it was sure to be a good atmosphere.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
A long car journey from Portsmouth but a 5am departure evaded any traffic build-ups and we arrived in Sunderland at 10.30am. It was easy to park in the Roker Beach seafront area near our booked accommodation.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
A good pub crawl taking in the Harbour View, Albion and Wheatsheaf pubs. All away friendly and good banter with the locals. Had a stottie (local name for a large bread roll) on the way to the ground so was an enjoyable time pre-match.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
I have been to Stadium of Light on a previous occasion but the away fans were located in a different part of the ground on this occasion so we had some difficulty in locating the correct turnstiles.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a tense game but a good atmosphere, though there were some problems when a smoke bomb was thrown from the away section onto home supporters below. The away section is too far from the pitch and should not be located above home supporters. The game ended 1-1.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No problem getting away from the ground as stayed in Sunderland on the Saturday evening.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A good day out in a place with similarities to Portsmouth as both sets of supporters are loyal and like a matchday drink in the pubs.
Sunderland v Coventry
League One
Saturday 13th April 2019, 3pm
Steve Bolland (Coventry City)
Sunderland v Coventry
League One
Saturday 13th April 2019, 3pm
James (Coventry City)
Sunderland v Plymouth Argyle
League One
Saturday 2nd March 2019, 3pm
Graham Andrew (Plymouth Argyle)
Sunderland v Bradford City
League One
Wednesday 26th December 2018, 3pm
Harry (Bradford City)
Sunderland v Bristol Rovers
League 1
Saturday 15th December 2018, 3pm
Yaz Shah (Bristol Rovers)
Sunderland v Wycombe
League 1
Saturday 17th November 2018, 3pm
Graeme Whitton (Neutral)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
I was in the area and wanted to visit a ground I'd not previously been to.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking
The trip on the Metro from Newcastle was a nightmare due to previous hold ups but, hopefully, that's not a regular occurrence and the trip itself should be fairly straightforward. Finding the stadium from the Stadium of Light Metro Station is very easy. I wasn't driving but there seemed to be plenty of parking at the stadium though it seemed to me that the road layout was quite complex and they could do with more designated pedestrian crossings.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Due to hold ups on the Metro we only had time to find the ground, grab a quick bite to eat and get to our seats. We passed one pub, The Colliery Tavern, which looked to be extremely busy and, as it was full of Sunderland fans, probably isn't one for away fans
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
It is an impressive stadium. It was easy to find our seats and we enjoyed great sightlines.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere was good to start with but, within a fairly short time, seemed to become quite subdued. I didn't sample any of the food but was able to get to the catering stand and get served with a cold drink within the half time interval.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
A simple reverse walk back to the Stadium of Light Metro. I noticed that traffic in the area seemed pretty congested.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall, it was a good day out. The game itself finished in a 1-1 draw and, for me, Wycombe thoroughly merited their point.
Sunderland v Brentford
Championship League
Saturday 17th February 2018, 3pm
Mike Norman (Brentford fan)
Sunderland v Reading
Championship League
Saturday 2nd December 2017, 3pm
Adam Humphries (Reading fan)
Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers
Football Championship League
Tuesday 31st October 2017, 7.45pm
Matthew Bowling (Bolton Wanderers fan)
Sunderland v Leeds United
Football Championship League
Saturday 19th August 2017, 5.30pm
Shaun (Leeds United fan)
Sunderland v AFC Bournemouth
Premier League
Saturday 29th April 2017, 3pm
Paul Sheppard (AFC Bournemouth fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
Given that Sunderland looked certain to be relegated I thought this might be the last time for a while that I would get to the Stadium of Light. I was also confident of a point or three given the poor run Sunderland were on.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I stayed at a Bed and Breakfast on Mowbray Road so walked the 20 minutes from there. Took me just over two hours to drive from where I live near Manchester.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I had gone on my own so just walked from the B&B having bought a sandwich with me. Last season I went to Liberty Browns with my friend and that was fine.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
The Stadium of Light. looks very impressive from the outside but the away seating is too high and far away from the pitch for my liking. I wasn't even 100% sure it was King who had scored our goal as you are so far from the other end of the ground.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Hmmm not great: probably the poorest game I saw all season. Sunderland looked like a team destined for the Championship League and that was confirmed when Josh King hit the winner for Bournemouth near the end: the climax to a good move that was not representative of the game as a whole.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
I was walking so this was very straightforward for me. Last season we had a couple of drinks in The Colliery pub just over the road from the ground: You could drink outside, where they even had a small bar set up and that was a memorable and unique experience.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I enjoyed the day overall at the Stadium of Light; decent weather, three points: the game was very poor though and although I was sad to see Sunderland relegated the football they produced under Moyes was not of Premier League standard and won't be missed from an aesthetic point of view.
Sunderland v West Ham United
Premier League Saturday 15th April 2017, 3pm
Felix McHugh (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
My friend, a West Ham follower, got me a ticket. I very rarely watch top division football so this promised to be a treat.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Travelling up from Sheffield was easy. The Stadium of Light is surprisingly poorly-signposted in Sunderland itself, but it's a big stadium so once you've spotted it, it is then impossible to miss.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We mingled together in the Fan Zone, which was brilliant. Supporters of both sides having something to eat and drink and a total absence of any kind of unpleasantness that spoiled the League 1 encounter I saw at Port Vale the previous day!
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
The Stadium of Light is a big, imposing ground. I was with the West Ham fans in the away section and I thought I was going to need an oxygen mask by the time we reached our seats! I have never sat so high up to see a game before. Brilliant view, though.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a pretty entertaining game. Sunderland fought back twice for a 2-2 draw which, in the end, will not help them stay up, but they showed plenty of spirit even though some of their players appeared not to like each other much. West Ham were probably the better side but both sides' defences were ropy. A West Ham player was sent off near the end but Sunderland failed to take advantage.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No problem. We went for a drive up the coast and were surprised to find that Sunderland has a nice beach which looks like a grand place to spend a sunny evening.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I enjoyed it very much. Decent football, good atmosphere and a nice ground.
Sunderland v Southampton
Premier League
Saturday 11th February 2017, 3pm
Eric Spreng (Southampton fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
Living in Scotland I do not get the opportunity to go to too many Southampton games and also I had never been to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Finding the ground was very straightforward. We travelled down on the Friday and spent the weekend in Newcastle. On the Saturday we took the metro from Newcastle Central to the Stadium of Light station. The ground is only a short walk from there.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went straight to the Colliery Tavern right beside the ground. We were warmly received there (the lady behind the bar seemed to know as much about Dunfermline where I live as I do!). We mingled and chatted with both Black Cat and Saints fans and watched the Arsenal v Hull game on the television, all in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
I thought that the Stadium of Light was very impressive, both from the outside and from the inside. It is larger than the average ground and the away fans are housed in the upper tier behind the goal. You are a little bit away from the action but it was a magnificent view of the pitch, and also of the big screen at the far end.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a damp, cold day, and the pie and bovril before the game were very welcome and went down well! The game I thoroughly enjoyed, not least of all because Southampton won 4-0! The Sunderland fans were fairly quiet, perhaps not surprisingly given the score, but the Saints fans were in good voice, especially towards the end of the match after two late goals. No problems with the stewards, who seemed to know what they were doing, although one of our tickets refused to work on the 'reader' and a supervisor had to be called to let us in with his master key!
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
We walked back to the Stadium of Light station after the match and got on a train back to Newcastle more or less straight away. The train took about 25 minutes and we were back in the pub in Newcastle just after 5.30pm in time to watch more football (and rugby) on the television.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The Stadium of Light was a great day out in every way, although obviously helped by the result. Next stop Wembley Stadium for the Football League Cup Final!
Sunderland v Southampton
Premier League
Saturday 11th February 2017, 3pm
Stephen Geddes (Southampton fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
This was my second visit to the Stadium of Light. It's a very impressive and nice ground. I was also looking to the game as well, as away games are normally a good day out.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I went on one of the Supporters Coaches. We left Southampton at 6am. The journey was a long one and then we met quite a lot of traffic as we reached Sunderland. The coach parked up virtually right outside the away end.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Walked around the ground. I didn't see any pubs unfortunately so I went in the fanzone section where they had a few activities going on, such as a mini football pitch and live music etc… The home fans seemed friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
The Stadium of Light is a very impressive ground. It was a good view from the away section, but very high up though. We were advised that we could sit anywhere we liked which was a nice pleasant surprise.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The Sunderland stewards were both friendly and helpful. I spent a good couple of minutes talking to a steward on my way in. Telling me about he used to live/work in Southampton. Always a good atmosphere at the Stadium of Light. The game was enjoyable too ( From a Southampton point of view anyway ) as we won 4-0.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The traffic was pretty horrendous. It took 40 minutes just to get out of the City. And about seven hours to get back to Southampton.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The Stadium of Light is a top quality ground and when your team wins 4-0 there, as we did, then it is even better!. So despite the 700 mile round trip it was we'll worth going to and we won 4-0 as we'll. I would strongly recommend fellow football fans to visit it.
Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League
Tuesday 31st January 2017, 7.45pm
Nick (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Stadium of Light?
I had never been to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland and had heard good things about it so decided to take this opportunity to visit.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We travelled on a train chartered by Tottenham. It was direct from London all the way up to Sunderland Central with just one stop at Stevenage. Good value at just £20. The railway station was just a ten minute walk to the Stadium of Light.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We arrived around 5:30pm so spent a little while in a pub close to the stadium. Friendly locals and a good atmosphere. We headed to the ground and grabbed a burger from one of the many outlets before going in. There was also a fan zone outside the ground with live music.We didn't go in but it looked good.
View From the Away Section
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
The Stadium of Light looked great as we approached. Found the away end and climbed the stairs up to the bar. All good! All the away seats are in the upper tier but the view was fantastic.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The stewards were very friendly and helpful. The game was a disappointing (0-0) but the atmosphere was good. I could see this place could be jumping if the locals were winning.
The Away Seating
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No problems getting away. Straight back to the station and headed home.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A long way to go on a Tuesday night but the Stadium of Light is highly recommended, having now been.
Sunderland v Everton
Premier League
Monday 12th September 2016, 8pm
James Walker (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
I was looking forward to the game as it was yet another ground for me to tick off the list (number 67 of the 92) and the added bonus of going to a game without caring what the score was.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled up with my mate who is an Everton disabled Season Ticket holder, meaning our tickets came with a parking pass for the Green Car Park (which is located right next to the fanzone). The journey from Hertfordshire to the Stadium of Light took us four and a half hours straight up the A1 from Hertfordshire.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went to have a look in the fanzone upon arrival, with both home and away fans being allowed in on production of a valid season/match ticket. Inside there's a few food/drink huts and a stage for live music, as well as some different games (including the power-measuring shot game and caged 5-a-aisde football). Following this we went round to the club shop for programmes (£3 each) and badges (£2.49 each) before crossing over the bridge by the fanzone to find a pub, called the Wheatsheaf, which we popped into for a bit.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
The Stadium of Light looks impressive from the outside, and is just as impressive inside too. The away supporters are located on Level 3 of the Carling Stand, and it is a lot of stairs! However there is a lift round the side for disabled supporters and carers, so we got up to the correct floor in a matter of moments! From there it's a quick walk down a lovely corridor to the main concourse. The stadium is a two-tiered bowl with a third tier coming from the away end to the stand on our right, and makes the stadium look even more impressive! There is a big scoreboard on the opposite stand to the away fans. However I must say that this is a ground that I don't advise for disabled supporters, the top half of the section is fine but the bottom half is a cage that makes it near-enough impossible to see the goal down that end! Luckily we were the only ones in there so we were able to move closer to the front in order to get a much better view.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The first half was a dull cagey affair with both sides only having one real chance, but the second was completely different! Lukaku scored a 11 minute hat trick to send the away support in to party mode as Everton saw the game through to complete a comfortable away win, and in fairness, didn't exactly have to work too hard for it!
The Stadium of Light
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
As we were in the car park we weren't allowed to depart for up to 30 minutes after the final whistle we went round to the front to see the players depart, collect signatures and get photos, which we managed very easily. We eventually left and got back to our hotel in 40 minutes.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall this was a fantastic night out and a superb game to attend! If Sunderland do end up dropping down to the Championship League then I will return next season when following QPR, but that will be one for the future. Until then, I will make do with playing them at Stevenage next week in the EFL Cup third round!
Final Score:
Attendance: 42,406
Sunderland v Chelsea
Premier League
Saturday 7th May 2016, 3pm
Will Donaghue (Chelsea fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
I always enjoy a visit to the Stadium of Light. It's a nice stadium. Of course this game meant nothing for us as we had nothing to fight for, being that we were in mid-table. But with Sunderland fighting to stay in the Premier League, it could turn out to be an interesting game.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was easy as the motorway was very quiet for a change which was strange! We used the Park and Ride car parking which was very easy to use before and after the game.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went straight to the ground after we got off the bus and picked up a match programme on the way. The home fans seemed friendly and we didn't encounter any trouble.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
Seeing the ground from the away section is pretty impressive. The visitors seats quite high and to get to it, you have to climb a tall flight of stairs but we rewarded with a good view of the pitch.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc.
It was a poor performance from Chelsea. The score was 3-2 to Sunderland. Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic got our goals but it wasn't enough from a poor performance. The stewards told us to sit down which was annoying as the other fans at the back of tier were allowed to stand and we weren't because we were at the front of the tier. But it could have been for safety reasons. Didn't try the pies but the toilets were ok I guess.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the stadium after the game was simple and easy. We got in the queue for the Park and Ride bus and we only waited 10 to 15 minutes for the next bus and we were back at the car park in 15 minutes or so.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Despite the result and the poor performance from Chelsea, we had a great day out. I hope Sunderland stay up so we can visit the Stadium of Light again next season.
Sunderland v Leicester City
Premier League
Sunday 10th April 2016, 1.30pm
Andy (Leicester City fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
I had been to the old Roker Park but never to the Stadium of Light so I was looking forward to seeing the new ground. In addition with Leicester only needing only four more wins to win the title the excitement levels were insane.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I stayed in Newcastle for the weekend with a mate. So we caught the Metro from Newcastle Central to the Stadium of Light. The journey took about 30 minutes.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Sunderland have a fanzone at the stadium which was pretty decent. Both sets of fans mixed freely with no hint of trouble. Most Sunderland fans I met were really happy for Leicester and the position we are in.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
To get to the seats of the away section you have to climb about 10 flights of stairs which is not so great, but once to our seats the view of the pitch was fine. Although the roof of the stand slants down obstructing our view of the scoreboards.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Leicester fans were very loud as usual and the home support was fairly mute as to be honest Sunderland were poor and we won 2-0. Post match we stayed in the stand for at least 30 minutes singing and the stewards and police were fine and friendly with this.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
As we stayed behind for 30 minutes most of the post match crowd had gone. Me and my mate got back onto the Metro within 10 minutes and back to Newcastle.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Fantastic day out. The Stadium of Light is certainly a ground worth visiting.
Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion
Premier League
Saturday 2nd April 2016, 3pm
Steve Roper (West Bromwich Albion fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
It had been several years since I last went to Sunderland to see Albion; in those days it was at the former ground of Roker Park. As a groundhopper I wanted to add the Stadium of Light to my list, and took advantage of the Albion's offer of free coach travel to the game.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The coaches were parked more or less outside the ground on car parks or on access roads. It was literally a two minute walk from the coach to the stadium.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I had a walk around the ground to take a few photographs and to look at the surrounding area. We had hot food from one of the catering vans. There was also a fanzone where both sets of supporters were mixing freely.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
The Stadium of Light looks impressive when approaching from the A19. The main entrance to the ground also looked good, and we had the usual photos taken outside. Once inside I was amazed at how big it looked. It was like the Tardis, looked much bigger from inside than out. Away fans are housed 'out of the way' in the upper tier of the stand. This stand I thought was very steep, and a few older supporters had problems walking up and down the steps.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was a totally one sided affair. Sunderland absolutely pounded our goal, and we didn't manage a single shot on target. But for all their hard work it finished up a goalless draw. Because the away fans are in the upper tier of the stand I feel this is detrimental to the atmosphere of the game. There is little in the way of banter between the two sets of supporters, because the acoustics of the stand mean all you can hear is your own fans. The staff at the ground, including the stewards, are the friendliest I've come across in the Premier league. Hot food inside the ground included steak and ale pies, and also a vegetarian option (which was ideal for me).
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was a two minute walk back to the coach. However, it took quite a long time for the coaches to get out onto the main road. Then it took another long wait through the congestion to get back to the A19. I think if I ever drove to the ground I would park well away from it, or even on the city centre side of the river.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I've always had a soft spot for Sunderland. The fans are some of the friendliest I know and I hate to see them fighting against relegation. Even though the ground is modern the surrounding area still has a traditional working class feel to it, and that's what I liked most. It was a four hours each way journey, and the Albion fans seemed happy enough. One point is better than none. I was home in time for Match of the Day, and to watch Sunderland outplaying us again.
Sunderland v Bournemouth
Premier League
Saturday 23rd January 2016, 3pm
Tim Williams (Doing the 92)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
Sunderland was my final ground of the 92. I've been going to lots of League 1 and League 2 grounds over the last few seasons and had been saving a big one for last. I was also interested to see Bournemouth with their reputation for playing attractive football.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I left London on the 8.00am train to Newcastle. As this was my last ground I persuaded my wife to join me on the trip and convinced her that a weekend in Newcastle would be fun. Couldn't get her to the game though. The Metro from Newcastle to the Stadium of Light was very quick and easy and the ground is easy to see from the station.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Before the game I had a walk around the outside of the stadium and looked at the surroundings – the relics of the mining era in these parts was a good reminder of the past. The fan zone created a good pre match atmosphere and everything was very friendly. The visiting supporters had travelled miles to get here and were well received by the home fans.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
The Stadium of Light looks impressive as you approach it. It is up on a hill so is clearly visible. Inside it is very spacious; the concourses are large and easily accommodate refreshment outlets as well as large groups of people watching live football on the many screens dotted about. Unless I'm following my team – Nottingham Forest – I tend to sit or stand with the home supporters when I visit a ground. So I had a seat in the Main Stand and the view, as you'd expect from a new ground, was very good. The stadium didn't really fill up until the last few minutes before kick off but by the time the teams emerged it was an impressive sight.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Bournemouth lived up to their reputation and were excellent. They really should have been 3 or 4 goals up by half time. Sunderland were woeful and their supporters were not at all impressed. Bournemouth took the lead early on and their supporters – high up behind the goal – created most of the noise. Sunderland got an equaliser that was totally against the run of play just before half time. I was hoping to hear the famous Roker Roar but it was more a Stadium of Light murmur and it would have been good if the home supporters had got behind their team more. In the end a draw was harsh on the visitors and Sunderland look like they will have to battle to stay in the Premier League.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground was easy. A quick walk to the Metro and I was back in Newcastle by 5.45pm
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Good day out and a great weekend in Newcastle. Sunderland is well worth the trip and, even though their football isn't great, I hope they stay in the top league. This part of the country has had a tough time economically so staying in the Premier League gives the town a decent profile. Newcastle is also worth a trip; there's a lot to do – the Baltic Contemporary Art gallery, a walk along the Tyne to look at the many bridges and lots of places to eat and drink. Definitely worthwhile and if Gateshead ever get into the league I'd certainly make another trip up.
Sunderland v Bournemouth
Premier League
Saturday 23rd January 2016, 3pm
Sam Butler (Bournemouth fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Stadium of Light?
I was looking forward to visiting the Stadium of Light as I had never been there before. However I was not looking forward to the long coach journey that I was facing to get to and from the game.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled with my Father and a friend on one of the club supporters coaches to the game. We left Bournemouth at 5am and arrived at the Stadium of Light at just after 1pm. The journey was relatively easy as there wasn't much traffic about. We had a couple of comfort stops en route. The coach dropped us off right outside the ground which was good.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We noticed a cafe near to the ground and headed there for something to eat. The food was nice but relatively pricey. There were no problems between the home and away fans outside the stadium and we had a wander around the club shop with our colours showing.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
The Stadium of Light looked very good from the outside. The away end was good but you seem so far away from the pitch. Depending on how far up you sit you can't see the stadium screen at the opposite end, as the roof slopes down blocking your view which is a bit annoying..
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was relatively entertaining. Bournemouth started well dominating the opening period and deservedly going ahead on 13 minutes. However Sunderland came back into the game late in the half, getting an equaliser in time added on. Bournemouth should have won the match when Grabban missed a sitter just before the end. Overall the 1-1 draw was probably the right result. The Bournemouth fans produced a good atmosphere but I couldn't really hear much from the Sunderland supporters until they scored. The stewards were kind and helpful.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
There was a bit of traffic getting away from the ground but it wasn't unexpected. We arrived home at 1am.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was a good day out shame that Bournemouth didn't win seeing as it was a big game would've made it worth spending the best part of 16 hours on the coach for.
Sunderland v Liverpool
Premier League
Wednesday 30th December 2015, 7.45pm
Rob Lawler (Liverpool fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the Stadium of Light?
I had never even been to the North East before and wanted to go to either Newcastle or Sunderland. My friend got me a ticket to this game and offered to drive, therefore I had no hesitation in going.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We drove up, leaving Liverpool at 2pm. The drive via Yorkshire was a bit perilous as there was torrential rain which limited our visibility. We saw a bad crash on the way into Sunderland with some driver of a fiat Punto attempting to nip in ahead of a jeep driver before a junction. We parked in a ropey car park by the bus/metro station and walked into town.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went to a Wetherspoons called the Lampton Worm which I am informed is a local legend of a serpent/dragon. The pub was full of home supporters but all seemed to tolerate a lot of Liverpool fans in their pub. We then walked up a road similar to Hardman Street in Liverpool, a steep road with a church on one side side and a few bars and eateries on the other side.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
I must admit that the Stadium of Light is very impressive looking. Walking over the Wear Bridge it dominates the skyline and is an impressive sight all lit up at night. Had a quick walk round the stadium and was impressed with the size of the ground and the space surrounding it. It is not a flat pack ground like most of the modern stadiums and has a bit of character. The away end was good and the view is impressive, even though I was on the back row.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The crowd were a bit quiet, probably due to the fact that the club are in a relegation battle and Sam Allardyce is not known for attractive football. The stewards were helpful as you have to enter the stadium via two large pillars and they were approachable enough to help us to our seats.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Was fairly easy to get away as there are many ways to head back into town , most home fans headed back to the local pubs or to the metro. Easy to get back into town and to where our car was parked.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A good day out even if it was a long drive. Glad I have ticked off the Stadium of Light and would definitely return should they stay up. I had heard some worrying reports from other Liverpool fans about heavy handed policing but there was no sign of this on my trip. The game was a drab affair with Liverpool limping to a 1-0 win but I was glad that I had made the trek up to the North East to see what the stadium was like. I almost visited the Stadium of Light a year ago when Bruce Springsteen was in concert here, but the price of the tickets were sky high. Glad I came for a football match instead.
Sunderland v West Ham United
Premier League
Saturday 3rd October 2015, 3pm
Scott Bowman (West Ham United fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the Stadium of Light in Sunderland?
The Stadium of Light was the last of the big north-eastern clubs I needed to visit and another ground to tick off the list.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I was picked up by a mate at 6:30am for a fairly comfortable drive up north. We didn't really hit traffic and got up there by 11:30am
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
After linking up with some Mackem's friends of my mate we headed to the stadium sharing a bit of banter and looking forward to the game. We headed to the Colliery Tavern which had a marquee outside so supporters could avoid going in to the fairly busy pub. Plenty of West Ham and Sunderland around with absolutely no issues. Drink prices were great as I remember getting three pints and a coke for less than a tenner, which was an absolute bargain!
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stadium of Light?
Outside one part of the stadium was a fan-zone, which I have to say I'm not a fan of. It takes away from the authentic football experience and seems manufactured and plastic. The ground itself looks more or less of the new identikit grounds that clubs move into and they lack character and imagination. However inside they do add a bit of character with famous quote from various football personalities as you're walking up the stairs or walking to the concourse, which I thought was a nice touch. At pitch side, despite being placed into the gods, the view I had was great with a full view of the pitch and of course the goals!
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Not the best I have to say from either side. West Ham were flat, which was probably due to high expectation considering our results on the road so far this season and conceding two goals in the first half. Sunderland fans were probably in a state of bewilderment at leading a game and I think the goal at the stroke of half time kicked the stuffing out if them. The second half was more or less West Ham and after Payet's equaliser, I really did think we were in control and thought we were going to go on and win the game.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
After the match we went straight back to the Colliery Tavern, this side inside and got speaking to some locals while waiting for our friends. Very friendly all round and I can't speak highly enough of the Sunderland fans. That said, after a night out with them, the journey home the next day was one of the hardest 5/6 hours I've ever had to endure, with several unscheduled stop offs!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Good day out, friendly fans, decent banter and if you're staying over you have Newcastle just 15 miles up the road. I'll definitely be back.
Sunderland v West Ham United
Premier League
Saturday 3rd Octonber 2015, 3pm
Mark Jamieson (West Ham United fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the Stadium of Light?
West Ham were unbeaten away from home so far this season. Plus I have been to the Stadium of Light several times before and have always enjoyed the trip. However so far I had never seen us win in Sunderland, so I was crossing my fingers for a good result.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We got the train into Sunderland Station and it was a simple 10 minute walk to the stadium. Some people were getting the Metro to St Peters Station but it took around about the same time.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Went to the local Wetherspoon's Pub (The William Jameson) just around the corner from the train station. Great range of beers and reasonably priced food. Home and away supporters mixed with quite a friendly atmosphere. Even went back there after the match to watch the Rugby World Cup. There is also a Burger King and a Subway near the train station and burger vans located on the way to the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
On first seeing the ground the Stadium of Light is a very impressive and modern stadium. The away section turnstiles are located around the far side of the stadium and it is quite a long climb up several flights of stairs to the upper tier concourse so you may need to take a couple breaks on the way up! You also pass the kiosks selling alcohol on the way up the stairs. I didn't try any but it seemed reasonably priced for a football ground (at £3.40 a pint).
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Overall, the facilities were excellent. There were rarely any queues for food and drink and there was a well-staffed betting desk and clean toilets. I highly recommend you try the Steak and Ale and Chicken Balti pies (£3.50 each) as they are some of the best around. The stewards were overall very friendly and helped you find your seat. Away fans can produce an amazing atmosphere inside the ground and if you are as lucky as me to be sat on the very front row, the view of the stadium is wonderful. The game was a very entertaining 2-2 draw in the end and as Wet Ham were 2-0 down after 20 minutes we went away very happy to have stolen a point.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
There are large crowds heading back towards the city centre after the match and police were not letting people use St Peters Metro Station so crowds were moving slowly and traffic was stood still for long periods of time. I also wore my teams colours walking out after the match and did not get any trouble from the Sunderland supporters.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
In conclusion, Sunderland is a very enjoyable and good value for money day out and I would recommend it to anyone. Home fans are friendly and welcoming and the stadium is one that every football fan must visit.
Sunderland v Tottenham hotspur
Premier League
Sunday 13th September 2015, 1.30pm
Mark Coome (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the Stadium of Light?
I had never been to the Stadium of Light and also Spurs away tickets are hard to come by. I dropped lucky on my application this time, so I had no hesitation in going.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled up from where I live in Scunthorpe giving myself plenty of time. The trip was via the M181, M18, A1 and A19 and was hassle free on a lovely sunny day. The scenery as I progressed north was lovely, including some sea views. Journey time was 2 hours 10 minutes to cover the 140 miles. I parked in a spot made known to me by a fellow Scunthorpe Spur. I ended up parking, for free, on some waste land at the junction of Thomas Street and Alexandra Avenue. From the parking space it was a 10-15 minute walk to the ground. I cut through Wayfarer Road and then followed a footpath down by the river Wear. When near the ground, I climbed a grassy bank with a defined footpath already worn into it.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I headed to a nearby McDonalds, situated near a Tesco Extra. It was very pleasant sitting outside in the sunshine. The home fans all seemed friendly and there was no hint of any animosity and club colours were being openly worn.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Very nice ground. Liked the statues around the outside. The statues dedicated to the fans were a nice touch and of course the iconic pose of Bob Stokoe running across the Wembley turf in 1973 stirred memories.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The two teams who had yet to win and badly need to get off and running. Generally it was a poor affair. Defoe should have scored for them when through on goal, but amazingly he hit the post. Spurs were very slow in the build up and we only looked likely to score when Townsend and Lamela came on. Finally after 83 minutes a slick move involving Mason, Kane and Lamela saw Mason finish in style. Unfortunately Pantilimon took him out as he scored and he left the match on a stretcher. There was a late scare when Rodwell hit the bar. Both sets of fans were quiet, unusually for a Spurs away following. Sunderland fans almost seemed resigned to defeat once we scored and many had left by the final whistle. Catering was as you'd expect in the newer stadiums and the staff were very polite and friendly. I did like the slogans on the walls as you climbed the steps to the away end such as "Nine small steps for man…One normal step for Peter Crouch."
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away was very slow back to the A19 and traffic was heavy all the way back down the A19 and A1. This probably had something to do with the fact that the Great North Run was being held at the same time.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Lovely drive up there, fabulous weather and easy parking. Cracking stadium with a friendly atmosphere and a very welcome three points.
Sunderland v Exeter City
League Cup 2nd Round
Tuesday 25th August 2015, 7.45pm
Steve Ellis (Exeter City fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the Stadium of Light?
Being a supporter of a League Two club this was certainly a game and ground not to be missed, especially with 57 places between the two clubs at the time. Also as ever there was the belief that an upset could be on the cards.
How easy was your journey and finding the ground?
The journey to the ground was straightforward. As always I travelled up on the supporters coach, leaving Exeter at 10.30am and arriving in Sunderland just after 6pm. The coach dropped us off on a small road just behind the North Stand.
What did you do before the game, pub, chippy….home fans friendly?
On arriving we took a 5 minute walk. Going past the away entrance, around the stadium and Davy lamp, then crossing over the main road to the Colliers Tavern. This is a small but busy pub with a beer garden. Drinks seemed a to be priced averagely starting at around £3.40. Home fans I encountered were friendly.
What you thought on seeing the Stadium of Light, first impressions of away end and then rest of stadium?
The Stadium of Light is very modern. The away fans turnstile is separate due to the visitors being in the top tier of the stand. Once through the gate there is about nine sets of stairs to climb before eventually reaching the main concourse. A lift is available for disabled supporters, who are in one given a corner section of the away end. It is quite steep but there is plenty of leg room, also with no supporting pillars the view is superb. Behind the away stand is a bar which shows Sky Sports at half time and also has a live feed of the match, whilst the game inside is being played.
The Stadium of Light
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, refreshments etc.
The game was a classic cup tie with both teams up for it, going in at half time locked at 3-3. The Black Cats eventually went on to win 6-3. The atmosphere was not great as the only noise seemed to be coming from the away section, the only time you can hear the home fans is when they score. The stewards were fantastic. Refreshments were averagely priced, alcoholic beverages priced at £3.50, pies starting at £3. The toilets were also clean.
Comments on getting away from the ground after the game.
Getting away afterwards, the coaches were waiting behind the North Stand where they dropped us off. As you'd expect, traffic is slow when leaving the ground but once back on the motorway it was easy going. We got back to Exeter at around 6am
Attendance: 14,360 (including 495 Exeter fans)
Aston Villa v Sunderland
Premier League
Saturday, 14th March 2015, 3pm
Cara Smith (Aston Villa fan)
Why you were looking forward to going to visiting the Stadium of Light?
This was to be my first Premier League away game – others that I had previously gone to were just been pre-season games.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey up from the Midlands was straightforward, with no problems. We decided to park at the Sunderland Enterprise 'Park and Ride' where we saw a sign for 'Match Day Parking'. A steward signalled us to follow him and told us where to park. When we got out of our car, we asked two Sunderland fans how it worked as we wasn't sure if we had to pay. They told us that it was actually free, which was really good. They also showed us where to get the bus to the stadium and where to catch it after the match had ended. We chatted with them on the way and they seemed friendly enough.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As explained above those home fans were friendly and when we got on the bus, we seemed to be the only two Villa fans on there – however we didn't feel intimidated at all. Another Sunderland fan suggested that we visit the Colliery Tavern as we got off the bus and we decided to go there for a drink. The pub was small inside but they had a marquee and a little bar out that back, which helped getting served. There was a good mix of home and away fans.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Very modern compared to Villa Park. We were seated three rows from the very back of the North Stand, which was very high up. It was generally a good view of the game although couldn't see the screens on the opposite end.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Didn't get any food or drink at the ground. But the game was good from the Villa point of view. Both teams had been struggling before this fixture and Sunderland again didn't play all to well, with Villa running out 4-0 winners. We got the 3 points but nothing kicked off outside afterwards.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The buses back to the car park are located behind the North Stand – come out the ground and head towards the main road you'll more than likely see a queue of people already waiting. We didn't have to wait long and we were back at the car park in good time.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Great experience for my first away game. Thanks Sunderland!
Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion
Premier League
Saturday, February 21st, 2015, 3pm
James Mullaney (West Bromwich Albion)
I visited the Stadium of Light as a West Brom supporter, on the 21st Feb 2015. I had visited previously, but that was years ago, when the away end was in the South Stand.
Getting to the stadium is easy as long as you can follow the signs, that start to appear just outside of Sunderland itself. However parking is in short supply around the stadium itself. Many of the back roads and estates have official club signs on them, warning to respect residential parking, so not doing so could lead you to a hefty fine. I ended up parking at the Metro/Train Station, next to the large Tescos, and less than five minutes from the ground. It cost £1- great value. The only catch is traffic is pretty gridlocked in the area after the game, but unless you are local, I'd expect a long trip home anyway.
The Stadium of Light is a fantastic stadium, with great facilities and a good look. Away fans are housed in the Upper Tier of the North Stand. This means that it is quite a climb up a number of flights of stairs to actually reach the tier. But to make the journey to the top entertaining, the Club have added red statements on the walls, relating to the current height of your climb. For example, at 36ft you will see "36ft- The height that Chris Waddle's penalty reached in 1990." It's a small touch, but it is guaranteed to make you smile.
The Upper Tier features a refreshments concourse, with food/drink on sale, and male and female toilets accessible. Prices are what you'd expect at a top flight ground. I bought a balti pie which was very average, but I've had worse. What makes it for me though are the TV Screens. Past and present year matches are shown, as well as a live feed of the current game, with Soccer Saturday also shown. Fantastic.
The stairs to your seat are quite steep, but there are hand rails to help you. There are 20 rows, 5 of which are usually empty due to safety (these are the front rows). There is an okay amount of legroom. You are given a good view of the pitch, despite your height. However as other reviews state, the further you go back, the less of the stadium you see. I was on Row 18, and saw most of the stadium, but could not see the big screen.
Overall, I'd say that the Stadium of Light has one of the best away ends I have been in. I felt at home, and the people are generally nice. Would definitely recommend as a stadium to visit.
Result: Sunderland 0 West Bromwich Albion 0
Attendance: 40,943
Sunderland v Manchester United
Premier League
Sunday, August 24th, 2014, 4pm
Glynn Sharkey (Neutral)
I went to Gateshead v Grimsby the day before and was stopping overnight at my mate's in the North East which is one of my favourite parts of the country. Sunderland is a lovely town, I've always rated the place and have great memories of when Grimsby used to play at Roker Park. In my opinion The Stadium of Light has more character than most of the new builds, the fans are second to none, and Sunderland is a cracking drinking town. I met Neil at 10pm in the Centurian at Newcastle station. The last Metro to Seaburn saw us pub crawling to his, kebab in hand.
Roker seafront early doors to clear my throbbing head just confirmed my opinion of the beauty of the coast there. I really sometimes think that people don't appreciate what they have on their doorstep. My mobile roused me from my seafront bench slumber and got me back to Neil's where his better half had prepared us a smoked salmon and champagne breakfast. Trust me, the bubbles do go to your head. Then it was a walk into town and first stop the Blue Bell followed by a taxi towards the ground. A few boozers later saw us queuing up to get in.
I remember Roker Park when Roker Park was Roker Park, The Stadium of Light is just as good if not better for atmosphere. It's been open for years but still has a new feeling, clean, tidy and a little bit partisan. Our seats in the the West Stand Premier Concourse, and the views over the city from the windows behind being second to none.
The atmosphere was cracking as to be expected. I saw less than 1800 at a game the day before compared to a more or less sold out game this day which is as far apart as it gets. Everything was premier league.. atmosphere, toilets, the staff. They were all top notch, all brilliant but the quality of the football didn't seem any better from the previous day's non league. A few thousand Manchester fans seemed very quiet and a draw was a fair result
Ten minute walk into Town and Wetherspoons with Yate's across the road gave us a swift pint or two, before my train took me back to Newcastle, less than 4 hours after full time I was home, feet up with a single malt.
This rounded off a brilliant weekend away after watching non league footy the day before, I remember coming here all those years ago to watch Grimsby and you don't realise what you have lost until it's gone.
Sunderland v West Ham United
Premier League
Saturday, January 12th, 2013, 3pm
James Weeks (West Ham fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
Well, being an exiled Iron and living bang on the Cornwall Devon border, completing the grounds like Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland in the 92 early on was key for me, meaning that I could casually visit them and not have to fret and worry about not doing them. I also quite liked the look of the Stadium of Light, a big, modern ground usually my type but this enticed me to go.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Leaving from our overnight stay in Derby we arrived in Sunderland at around 12:15pm and found parking quite easily. We parked in a metro-link car park of which parking cost an incredibly and nearly unbelievable £1 for a whole day, this was also a 15 minute stroll to the ground which made it even better. As we turned into Sunderland the ground was easily visible from early stages.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
With neither of us drinking the only place we visited was a McDonalds in which we met a few other hammers but also came across a few rough looking Sunderland fans, apart from those 2 or 3 the fans seemed a friendly bunch and didn't bother or threaten us in anyway. Getting into ground involves a slight walk up a staircase that has two concourses, one for food and one mostly for drink, we went up to the food section.
4. What were your thoughts on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
I wasn't too keen on the away end, it felt as with we were being locked away in the top of the ground which wouldn't help with the atmosphere at all, as for the rest of the ground, I was reasonably impressed. It was very state of the art and would look good if it was full all the time. The ground is like a bowl so there are no individual stands about, if it was me I'd put the away fans back behind the goal.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Well, the less said the better. We never got going and got completely thrashed (3-0) and deservedly so, an awful performance which made the atmosphere quite poor, although we never really stopped singing (during Sunderlands celebrations for the 3rd we started going mental) it was hard to make a decent atmosphere because of the fact we were were up 'in the Gods'. The stewards were not of my liking either. We always stand at every away game and nothing is ever said, every single fan stands without fail and no problems were caused, until the stewards came round and told us all to sit, which obviously didnt go down to well. I know theyre only doing what they are told, but when there are no problems, and then starting an argument with 2,000 inebriated and annoyed Cockneys definitely wasn't going to end well as they gave up shortly after.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Easy walk back to the car amongst thousands of Sunderland fans who surprisingly were not overly cocky or joyous in defeat. Got back in the car and a short wait while the traffic cleared before we set off back to Derby for the second overnight stay.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The ground was nice but the city wasn't, great, plus and awful game. But would I do it all over again? Of course I would! Come on you Irons!
Sunderland v Chelsea
Premier League
Sunday, May 24th, 2009, 4pm
Chris Harding (Chelsea fan)
It was my second trip up to Sunderland following the infamous 1985 Milk Cup quater finals and I was really looking forward to it. It was last day of the season and as a thanks for our support, Chelsea laid on a free train from London, the 4hr journey weren't too bad and as you enter Sunderland you get great views of the North Eastern coast.
As we arrived we soon got ushered into the town centre where their are a few pubs and bars to drink in and after a lovely refreshing beer we made our way to the stadium.The stadium is very easy to find, just follow the huge crowds and as you go over the bridge we saw the highly impressive Stadium of Light. We got ourselves a burger outside and headed for the away end that was the nearest stand (if your coming from the bridge). Everything was very reasonable and as there was free travel it was turning into a very cheap day out.
Inside the ground it was really impressive with three large stands and very unique, one of my favourites in the premiership and the away end provides a very good view. We took the full 3,000 allocation and the atmosphere was electric from both teams at the start as Sunderland were looking to survive relegation and their biggest rivals potentially going down they raised the roof. The news from Villa Park that Newcastle were losing, went down a treat from both supports as the loudest cheer of the game was that Newcastle were going down.
The game itself was very good also as Chelsea dominated and as the game came to a close our quality showed when Anelka, looking for his golden boot, smashed a glorious shot into the top corner. As the final whistle went we applauded the Chelsea boys who gave a great effort all season and a few of our fans got taken away for encroaching on the pitch.
Outside the ground on the way back to the station was quality as well, as the sunderland fans revelled in their big rivals going down but were also very friendly with know trouble what so ever. Overall then a great day out capped by a classic Chelsea win and made it one of the best aways of the season and I for one can't wait for Sunderland next year.