The Stadium of Light (Sunderland)

The Stadium of Light is an all-seater football stadium in Sunderland, England. The stadium primarily hosts Sunderland A.F.C. home matches.

General information

Arena capacity: 49,000 spectators

Address: Sunderland Football Club, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, SR5 1SU

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 54°54′52″N 1°23′18″W

Year of construction: 1997

Construction cost: £24 million

Field: grass lawn with dimensions of 105 × 68 m

Seating plan of The Stadium of Light

East Stand

The East Stand is made up of two tiers of red seating, though you can freely get between the lower tier and upper tier.

Sunderland’s Club Badge is made out of red, white and black seating along the upper tier, and below that are the letters SUNDERLAND A.F.C. spelt out using white seating along the lower tier blocks.

Right at the very back of the East Stand are a row of small pillars, but these are in line with staircases and gaps in the seating blocks. As a result, your view of the action on the pitch is perfectly clear from any seat, and that includes both the northeast and southeast corners as well, which are made up of two tiers of white seating rather than red seating.

Roker End

The Roker End is also made up of two tiers of red seating, but there are no letters or images made out across the blocks.

Like the East Stand, there is a row of small pillars that run partway along the very back, but these do no restrict your view of the action.

The stadium’s control room is also based at the back of the Roker End and close to the southwest corner, which is coloured white like the northeast and southeast corners.

Hanging down from the roof of the Roker End is a large electronic scoreboard.

West Stand

The West Stand is divided into three levels.

The same two-tiered lower section that you find in the East Stand and Roker End is included, but there is an additional third tier of red seating high up above this, with a row of executive boxes separating it from the lower levels. This third tier is known as the Premier Concourse.

Sunderland’s executive seating blocks are in the centre of the middle tier, with the press box just down below this and the area holding the matchday camera just above. You can also find the changing rooms, dugouts and tunnel down the front of the West Stand.

There are no supporting pillars coming down from the roof and as a result your view is perfectly clear from any seat.

North Stand

The North Stand copies the three-levelled design of the West Stand, with the same row of executive boxes dividing the top tier from the rest of the stand. The letters HA’WAY are spelt out in white across the middle tier blocks, and the letters THE LADS are spelt out in white across the lower tier blocks. There are no letters at all spelt out in the upper tier blocks, but given that there is seating in the northwest corner, the upper tier forms a continuous red strip along both the western and northern sides of the Stadium of Light.

There is a large electronic scoreboard attached to the roof of the North Stand, but much like the West Stand there are no supporting pillars coming down and so your view of the pitch is perfectly clear.

One thing worth noting however is that if you are in the back rows of the North Stand’s top tier, you may have to crouch down in order to the see the scoreboard hanging from the Roker End on the opposite side of the stadium.

The middle and bottom tiers of the northwest corner are coloured white, and what this forms is an alternating red and white stripe design, similar to what you would find on Sunderland’s home shirt.

Away Fans

Away fans are housed in the top tier of the North Stand.

Depending on the allocation, just a couple of blocks, usually the ones nearest to the northeast corner, are made available for travelling fans. Larger crowds take up more blocks and the biggest away attendances will use up the entire North Stand top tier.

Sunderland home fans are given all of the tiers below this, and you will only find the West Stand top tier in use on games when the Stadium of Light is expected to be completely sold out.

Where to buy tickets?

On the one hand Sunderland’s ticket pricing is quite easy to understand, with matches split into different categories and then priced accordingly. On the other hand, the club doesn’t give away much information about the prices for junior fans or concessions.

Tickets are available through the club’s official website or the telephone ticketing line. You might also see people offering tickets near to the ground on the day of the match but they should be avoided. Chances are they may not be real tickets and, even if they are, it will probably go against the club’s ticketing terms and conditions if you buy a ticket from an unofficial location.

How to get there?

Sunderland, like Newcastle and Middlesborough, is out on the coast in the North-East of the country, so it’s not exactly simple to get to. It’s hardly in the middle of nowhere, though, and the Stadium itself is in a nice position in relation to the city.

By car

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 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 kickoff 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.

By Train and Metro

Sunderland Railway Station is located just under one mile away from the Stadium of Light and takes around 15-20 minutes to walk. You will exit the station opposite Greggs. Turn right out of the station heading up towards a JJB Sports store and walk through the gap between JJB and a nail bar to the right of JJB. Keep walking straight ahead and within 100m you will see the Stadium Of Light rising up in front of you over the Wearmouth Bridge. Simply cross the bridge, and turn left into Millennium Way, opposite the now closed Wheatsheaf pub. The away turnstiles are located on the side of the ground which is straight ahead.

The Metro stations called the ‘Stadium of Light’ and ‘St. Peters’ both serve the stadium. The metro provides regular and rapid transport from both Newcastle and the South of Sunderland. Both stations are only a few minutes walk from the stadium, although away supporters should alight at St Peters Station as that is closer to their entrance. This provides an alternative to the regular rail services. Please note though that after the game the Stadium of Light metro station only operates Northbound (i.e. towards Newcastle) and St Peters metro station only operates Southbound (i.e. towards Sunderland centre).

If you are going into Newcastle after the match then then it may be an idea to walk walk into the centre of Sunderland (10-15 minutes walk) and get metro from there. You will get a seat and also avoid the large crowds at the Stadium of Light station.

By Bus

Buses 2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 15 and 16 all call within a few minutes of the ground. If you’re based in or around the city’s outer limits then know that all main routes in the Wearside region call at the main Sunderland bus station, Park Lane Interchange.

By Taxi

A taxi journey from the train station to the ground will take between 5 and 10 minutes, depending on the traffic, and will cost around the same amount.

Where to eat and sleep?

The Club have opened a Fan Zone which is located outside the South East part of the stadium. The area has entertainment in the form of live bands, large screens etc. Plus, food and drink outlets. It is available to both home and away supporters. It is open three hours before kickoff and for one hour after the game has ended. Entry is free.

Just across the road from the stadium (near to the entrance where the Davy Lamp is situated) is the Colliery Tavern. Although predominantly a home fans pub, it does allow in away fans and we had an enjoyable time on our visit. It shows live football on a number of tv’s and to cope with a large number of fans it has a marquee outside, also serving beer as well as a burger van.

Also close to the ground is the Wheatsheaf pub, which now allows in away fans and has been refurbished. This pub on Roker Avenue is located next to a busy road junction, going towards the City Centre from the stadium.

There are two social clubs: the Sunderland Companions club, and the New Democratic Club, both on North Bridge Street (the road approaching the Wearmouth Bridge), which are about a five minute walk away from the stadium. Although they get very busy they do welcome away supporters, and serve reasonably priced beer.

The Albion pub, on Victor Street, off Roker Avenue, is a five minute walk from the ground, with some parking nearby. Always friendly and the landlord even puts on complimentary snacks after the game. Otherwise, there is a chippy a couple of doors away. An all-round top boozer.

One of the best pubs north of the river where you can find parking and walk to stadium pre-match is called “The Avenue”. Away fans are always welcome to this large pub, which is only ten minutes walk to the stadium and only a few minutes from the Stadium of Light Metro station. It is located on Zetland Street just off Roker Avenue.

If you have a bit of time on your hands, then you may like to try the Harbour View on the seafront, which is around a 15-20 minute walk away. Simply go along Roker Avenue (opposite the main entrance to the stadium) until you reach the seafront. Turn left along the front and you will see the pub up on the left. The pub which is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, serves good beer (up to six ales), reasonably priced food (with its own matchday menu) and has a large screen television. As the name of the pub suggests you get some good views along the coast from its location.

You can also try the Wolsey just down from the Harbour View. It has some real ales and a large eating area and outside decking with glass windbreaks. One of the best pubs is the William Jameson on Fawcett Street in the city centre. It is a Wetherspoons pub that does get busy before and after the game, but they put on plenty of bar staff, so you don’t have to wait long to get served.

Otherwise, alcohol is also available inside the stadium, in the form of Carling Lager , Carling Cider and Worthingtons and various wines. However, for certain games, the Club opts not to sell alcohol to away supporters.

Sunderland is a large, sprawling city, so the hotel options you have available to you are numerous. Here are some specific selections, though, if you want some ideas.

1. Best Western Roker Hotel. Best Westerns aren’t the fanciest chain hotels around, but they’re functional. This one is located less than a mile and a half from the ground and has three restaurants, meeting rooms and a conference centre.
2. Grand Hotel Sunderland. The Grand Hotel Sunderland is just over two miles away from the stadium and has two restaurants, an indoor pool and free parking. It’s also surprisingly reasonably priced on a good day and can be found right on the coast. Lovely.
3. Comfort Inn Sunderland. A little further afield from The Stadium Of Light at 2.2 miles, the Comfort Inn is a basic but comfortable option that is easy on the pocket and has a pool, wifi, restaurant, and breakfast is incuded.

Facilities

The Stadium Of Light boasts a family friendly atmosphere and all of the facilities that you might expect from a Premier League ground. Though the prices of food and drinks are a little on the expensive side, there are at least plenty of places to buy them on the concourses around the ground. You’ll also find a number of betting kiosks in the stadium, too, should you want to have a gamble on the outcome of the match.

Hospitality

There are the sort of hospitality packages at The Stadium Of Light that you’d expect from a top-level Premier League club, which Sunderland used to be. If you’re looking for a more informal, relaxed environment, for example, then the Black Cats Bar might tickle your fancy, for example. You can wear your Sunderland top whilst you have a home-cooked dish of the day, enjoy a cash bar and then take your padded seat in The Carling Stand.

If you want something a little more formal from your match-going hospitality experience then you might want to consider the Business Lounge. You’ll have to wear a jacket and a top with a collar, but in return you’ll be welcomed with a drinks reception, tapas canapés and a pre-match buffet. You’ll also be given a tour of the dressing room before the match, tea, coffee and cakes at half-time and refreshments and savoury snacks at full-time.

One of the top-level hospitality experiences you can have at The Stadium Of Light can be found in the Executive Club. You’ll get a behind the scenes tour, a guest appearance from a former Sunderland player or two and you’ll also get to witness the man of the match presentation. You’ll also get a three-course meal, private bar facilities and a padded seat on the halfway line.

Private Hire

The sheer volume of lounges and bars at The Stadium Of Light mean that the private hire options at the club are virtually endless. Quinn’s Bar, the Black Cats Bar and Magic Moments Bar are all ideal locations for smaller, more informal gatherings like birthdays and Christenings. Meanwhile the Business Lounge, the James Herriot Suite and the Carling Lounge offer alternative locations for more robust gatherings.

There are also 54 executive boxes available at the ground and these are ideal for presentations, interviews and breakout meetings from larger presentations. The Montgomerie Suite is ideal for just such large-scale events, from corporate presentations through to conferences or award ceremonies.

As well as fun, formal events like proms, The Stadium Of Light is also registered to host weddings and civil ceremonies. Whether you want to follow more traditional wedding-day protocols or you’re keen to have a personal ceremony, the staff at the stadium will help you out with everything you want. If you are a big Sunderland fan then what better way is there to celebrate your big day than at the club’s home ground.

Accessibility

The Stadium of Light offers a variety of reasonable adjustments, based upon individual needs.

Disabled supporters needing to book or enquire about accessible car parking spaces or wishing to purchase tickets can contact the ticket office via email at [email protected].

Season Cards / Match Tickets

Supporters with accessibility needs have the opportunity to either purchase a season card or to attend on a match-by-match basis, subject to availability.

Tickets are sold at the relevant price for the stand and category of fixture. Concessionary prices are also available.

Where the need for a personal assistant has been identified, the personal assistant is admitted free of charge. The personal assistant must sit with the disabled supporter and must be aged 18 years and over and fully capable of meeting your needs.

The personal assistant must enter the stadium at the same time as the disabled supporter.

Wheelchair Users

The Stadium of Light has 196 home spaces available for wheelchair users:

• 70 spaces in the West Stand – 16 spaces in the Carling Stand (North);
• 26 spaces in the East Stand;
• 80 spaces in the South Stand – 4 spaces in the South West Corner.

These can be accessed via one of the four accessible entrances. These are located at entrances 62A, 32A, 46A and 54A. The Black Cats Bar, and all corporate areas in the West Stand, are fully accessible via lift.

Visiting Club Supporters

There are six wheelchair bays in the Carling Stand (Upper). Accessible car parking spaces are also made available to visiting supporters.

The club will advise the visiting club’s ticket office with regards to the number of bays available and qualifying sales criteria.

Please note, that the Stadium of Light is a smoke-free venue.

Ambulant Supporters

Ambulant supporters are able to sit anywhere with their Personal Assistant to enjoy the game; from any seat they choose.

If for any reason, an ambulant supporter feels they have more specific seating requirements (a certain area, block or row) they should contact the club’s Disability Liaison Officer to discuss their individual requirements in more detail.

Every effort will be made to accommodate such requests.

Opportunities for disabled supporters to attend away matches can unfortunately be limited by the allocation received from the away club.

Any tickets sold for away matches (including neutral venues) are subject to the terms and conditions of that venue/club.

Should the allocation of disabled tickets that the opposing club provide be sold out, you will be offered tickets but cannot guarantee the accessibility of the seat.

Nathan Shippey Sensory Room

Developed for supporters with Autism Spectrum Disorder who are affected by the noise level in the seating areas, the club has built a bespoke room with sensor equipment which allows supporters to enjoy the game in a calm and suitable environment.

Any supporter wishing to access the sensory room for a fixture should contact the Ticket Office by emailing [email protected] once the fixture is on general sale, which is usually 4 – 6 weeks before the match.

The ticket price will depend on the category of fixture but it should be noted that there is only limited availability due to the size of this facility.

Assistance Dogs

The stadium’s staff accommodate those supporters with assistance dogs. They can, however, only accommodate supporters with assistance dogs in the lower tier.

Any supporter wishing to bring an assistance dog to a fixture must contact the General Ticket Office in advance of the game, to ensure that appropriate match tickets are allocated and suitable arrangements can be made.

Headsets For the Blind or Partially Sighted

Supporters who are blind or partially sighted can enjoy match commentary at all home games via complimentary headsets. These can be booked through the General Ticket Office.

Accessible Toilets

Accessible toilets are available in all areas of the stadium; these are fitted with radar locks and keys are available from nearby stewards.

Accessible Car Parking

Accessible parking facilities are available inside the stadium complex. These spaces are issued to eligible season card holders first and then on a first come, first served basis for match day parking.

Every individual experiences their disability differently and Sunderland AFC recognises this, so each request is reviewed individually. Under the terms of the Equality Act 2010, the club will verify supporters’ eligibility.

Proof of the below documentation must be seen before a booking can be made. All documents must be sent or handed in to the ticket office.

Please note, receipt of a Blue/Orange Badge or incapacity benefit is not considered to be sufficient, unless supported by one of the eligibility criteria stated below:

• Confirmation of the Higher rate of Mobility Allowance;
• Confirmation of the Higher rate of Attendance Allowance;
• A personal letter of support from GP or Hospital Specialist (dated within the last two months);
• Enhanced Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Temporary Mobility Restrictions

Supporters with temporary mobility restrictions (e.g. broken leg) that may affect access to the stadium or seating areas should contact the General Ticket Office prior to the game to arrange alternative seating.

SAFC Store

The Stadium of Light store is fully accessible to wheelchair users. Orders can also be placed quickly and easily online, 24 hours a day via safcstore.com.

*Eligibility for concession

Every individual experiences their disability differently and Sunderland AFC recognises this, so we review each request individually. Under the terms of the Equality Act 2010, the club will verify supporters’ eligibility to obtain such a concession.

Supporters purchasing tickets in the accessible areas at the Stadium of Light will be requested to provide any of the following documentation, issued within the last 12 months, prior to purchasing tickets:

• Confirmation of the Middle or Higher Rate of Disability Living Allowance
• Confirmation of the Middle or Higher rate of Mobility Allowance
• Confirmation of the Middle or Higher rate of Attendance Allowance
• Confirmation of the Middle or Higher Rate of Severe Disablement Allowance
• Certification of being Registered Blind or Partially Sighted
• A personal letter of support from GP or Hospital Specialist (dated within the last two months)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Proof of the above documentation must be seen before a booking can be made. All documents must be sent or handed in to the ticket office.

Please note, receipt of a Blue/Orange Badge or incapacity benefit is not considered to be sufficient to enable you to purchase tickets, unless supported by one of the eligibility criteria stated above.

**Personal assistant tickets

A personal assistant cannot be admitted without being in the presence of the disabled supporter they are assisting.

A personal assistant can upgrade their ticket, should they wish to attend the game without the disabled person to whom they provide assistance, and should visit the ticket office, where they will be required to pay the prevailing rate for that fixture.

Personal Assistant tickets are transferable, however tickets for disabled supporters are not.

Exterior

The Stadium of Light’s exterior follows a very similar design to other stadiums in the northeast of England. The ground has a really nice balance to it and a white cantilever roof that runs the whole way around.

Most fans will tend to approach the stadium from its East Stand, which has a bright coloured brickwork base and white corrugated iron in its upper levels, with the cantilever roof sat on top. The way that the upper part of the stand protrudes out further than the area underneath makes it look like the hull of a ship.

Turnstiles 37-50 are spread very evenly along the East Stand’s exterior, and the stadium’s largest car park is out beyond it.

A little way from the East Stand is a large brick building known as the Black Cat House. It contains Sunderland’s Main Ticket Office, and in the middle of the roundabout beyond that is a large model of a Davy Lamp, the same one which influenced the Stadium of Light’s name.

Continuing round in a clockwise direction brings you to the South Stand, better known as the Roker End.

Its design and height mirrors that of the East Stand, with brickwork at the base, corrugated iron in the upper parts and the cantilever roof on top.

Turnstiles are spread evenly along the exterior. Turnstiles 51-54 are at the stadium’s southeast corner, Turnstiles 55-67 are along the southern side of the stadium, and Turnstiles 1-8 are at the stadium’s southwest corner.

Sunderland often have a small merchandise shop set up beyond the stadium’s southeast corner, and in front of that is a statue of Bob Stokoe.

Born in Mickley on 21st September 1930, Stokoe played as a centre-half for Newcastle United and Bury before becoming player-manager whilst with the Shakers in 1961. Sunderland’s manager over two spells, Stokoe won the Second Division Title with the Black Cats in 1976, but most famously the FA Cup in 1973, when second-tier Sunderland beat Don Revie’s Leeds United 1-0 in the Final.

He passed away on 1st February 2004 at the age of 73.

Stokoe is remembered for his jubilant celebration at full-time in that FA Cup Final, running down the pitch in a mackintosh and trilby hat as he celebrated the victory with goalkeeper Jim Montgomery. That image of him is recreated in the statue, and many Sunderland fans believe that rubbing one of the statue’s feet will bring the team good luck on a matchday.

The West Stand is the Main Stand at the Stadium of Light and is much larger than both the East Stand and Roker End. It still maintains a similar exterior design though, with brickwork leading up to the cantilever roof at the very top. Sections of brickwork along the base are engraved with the names of Sunderland supporters past and present.

Turnstiles into the stand can be found next to and underneath the brick building that protrudes out of the stand. They are numbers 1-8 and 17-24 for the West Stand and numbers 9-16 for the Premier Concourse higher up. Sunderland’s Main Entrance for Players and Officials can be found here, as well as the Main Reception, with several rows of car parking out beyond it. It’s worth stepping back into the car park and taking a good look at the West Stand from a distance away as it is a spectacular sight.

On either side of the Main Entrance are two sets of black gates with the Sunderland Association Football Club Badge and the words ‘Into the Light’ written on them. Sunderland’s Stadium Store is through the northernmost gates.

The North Stand is the same height as the adjacent West Stand.

There is more corrugated iron and glass windows on the exterior here than brickwork, but you still have the cantilever roof up at the top and the turnstiles into the North Stand are along the path underneath. Sections of brickwork along the base are engraved with the names of Sunderland supporters past and present.

Turnstiles 17-24 are for the lower tiers of the northwest corner and Turnstiles 63-68 are for the upper tier of the northwest corner. Turnstiles 25-32 are for the lower tiers of the North Stand and Turnstiles 69-74 are for the upper tier of the North Stand. Turnstiles 33-36 are for the stadium’s northeast corner.

Vaux Brewery Way runs along the North Stand and on the opposite side of that road is the Sunderland Aquatic Centre, with the Foundation of Light out beyond it

Once you reach the northeast corner, the exterior returns back to the ship’s-hull-like design of the East Stand and Roker End.

History

During their history Sunderland have played in seven different stadiums. The longest amount of time they’ve spent in one place was at Roker Park, the club’s ground from 1898 until they moved to The Stadium Of Light in 1997. The Stadium Of Light, or SoL as it’s known for short, was officially opened by Prince Andrew, The Duke Of York. When the ground opened it had a capacity of 42,000 that was increased to around 49,000 in the year 2000. The name of the ground is also a tip of the cap towards Sunderland’s mining past.