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The Stadium of Light has been Sunderland's home since 1997, replacing Roker Park after 99 years and providing the Black Cats with one of the biggest football grounds in the North East.
Built on the site of the former Monkwearmouth Colliery, the stadium combines Wearside's industrial heritage with a capacity approaching 50,000.
Here, FootballGroundGuide looks at the Stadium of Light through the numbers that tell its story.
Stadium of Light by the numbers
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Opened | 30th July 1997 |
| Construction began | May 1996 |
| Current capacity | 49,000 |
| Ranking in England | 10th largest |
| Original construction cost | £24m |
| All-time football attendance record | 48,353 |
| Record attendance match | Sunderland vs Liverpool |
| Record attendance date | 13th April 2002 |
| Concert attendance record | 60,000 |
| Concert record artist | Ed Sheeran |
| Pitch dimensions | 105m x 68m |
| Potential future capacity | Up to 64,000 |
The original stadium opened with space for approximately 42,000 spectators before a second tier was added to the North Stand in 2000, increasing capacity to around 49,000 for a further investment of approximately £7m.
Stadium of Light records and redevelopment
Sunderland's football attendance record was set on 13th April 2002, when 48,353 spectators watched Liverpool win 1-0.
The venue has also hosted major concerts, with Ed Sheeran attracting approximately 60,000 people in June 2022.
The pitch measures 105m by 68m and has undersoil heating, with a Desso GrassMaster hybrid surface reported in recent descriptions of the ground.
The stadium's design also allows for potential future expansion. A further upper tier could take capacity to approximately 64,000, although estimates of up to 66,000 have also been suggested.
The Black Cats have discussed expansion costs potentially reaching £250m, but a project of that scale has not been confirmed.
Beyond football, the Stadium of Light has hosted three England senior men's internationals, an England Under-20 international, an England Under-21 international and two England women's internationals.
The stadium has also retained its original name since opening in 1997.
Although naming-rights discussions have taken place over the years, the number of completed stadium naming-rights deals remains zero.
Stadium of Light ticket prices by the numbers
For the 2026/27 season, published adult Premier League ticket prices range from approximately £28 to £45, depending on fixture category and seat location.
Sunderland have sold more than 38,000 season tickets for the campaign, reflecting the significant demand following their return to the Premier League.
With a football capacity of 49,000, a concert record of 60,000 and the potential to grow to 64,000, the Stadium of Light remains a major venue in the North East and a symbol of Sunderland's mining heritage.