Football in Sunderland

Football runs deep in Sunderland. The city's professional club was founded in 1879, the men's team returned to the Premier League in 2025, and the women's team has produced several England internationals. Below the professional game there are non-league clubs with long histories of their own, and a network of pitches where anyone can play, from five-a-side to walking football for the over-55s. This guide covers where to watch, where to play and where to learn about the club's past. Fixtures, prices and session times change, so check the clubs' and venues' own websites before you go.

Sunderland AFC at the Stadium of Light

Sunderland AFC was founded in 1879 by the schoolteacher James Allan as Sunderland and District Teachers' Association Football Club. It won six league titles between 1892 and 1936 and the FA Cup in 1937 and 1973, the second as a Second Division side. The club played at Roker Park from 1898 to 1997 and then moved to the Stadium of Light, built on the site of the former Monkwearmouth Colliery on the north bank of the Wear. The ground holds around 49,000 for football.

Sunderland won promotion back to the Premier League through the Championship play-off final at Wembley in May 2025, beating Sheffield United 2-1, and finished seventh in their first season back. They are in the Premier League again for 2026-27. Tickets are sold through the club website, and guided stadium tours run on selected non-match days. Our Stadium of Light match day guide covers getting there, where to sit and what to expect on the day.

Best for: Suits anyone wanting to see top-flight football in the city.

Sunderland AFC Women

Sunderland AFC Women began in 1989 as Sunderland Kestrels and are known as the Lasses. They play in the Women's Super League 2 and use the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground at Hetton-le-Hole for home games, with occasional fixtures at the Stadium of Light. The derby against Newcastle United in October 2024 drew a record crowd of 15,387 there.

The club's academy has a strong record of developing players, and Jill Scott, Steph Houghton, Lucy Bronze, Jordan Nobbs, Beth Mead and Demi Stokes all played for Sunderland early in their careers. Fixtures and tickets are on the SAFC website.

Best for: Suits families and fans looking for a smaller, more relaxed match day.

Non-league football

Sunderland has several clubs in the Northern League and the Wearside League, where crowds are smaller and you can stand close to the pitch. Sunderland RCA began in 1963 as Ryhope Youth Club and plays its home games at Ryhope, in the Northern League. Washington FC, nicknamed the Mechanics, has its roots in the Washington Colliery and was reformed in 1947; it plays in the Wearside League Premier Division. Sunderland West End, which was known as Houghton Town until 2011, rejoined the Wearside League Premier Division for the 2026-27 season.

Non-league fixtures are usually on Saturday afternoons and some midweek evenings, and the leagues publish fixtures on their websites. The best way to find a junior or grassroots team for a child is through the Durham FA or the FA's club finder.

Best for: Suits fans who like grassroots football and a closer view of the game.

Five-a-side and walking football at the Beacon of Light

The Beacon of Light next to the Stadium of Light is the home of the Foundation of Light, the club's official charity. It has 3G five-a-side pitches that can be booked every day for all ages, a 4G seven-a-side pitch in its indoor barn, a rooftop pitch and an indoor arena.

The Foundation also runs walking football for over-55s on Tuesday mornings and Thursday lunchtimes, a slower version of the game with no running and no heading that is aimed at older players returning to football. Bookings and current timetables are on the Foundation's website.

Best for: Suits groups of friends wanting a weekly game, and older players getting back into football.

Silksworth Sports Complex

On the south side of the city, Silksworth Sports Complex on Silksworth Lane has 3G football pitches alongside its athletics track and dry ski slope. The site is run by Everyone Active, and pitch bookings are made through its website.

Best for: Suits teams based on the south side of Sunderland.

The Fans Museum

The Fans Museum is a volunteer-run collection of Sunderland AFC shirts, programmes, photographs and memorabilia, housed in the former Monkwearmouth railway station on North Bridge Street since 2018. It is a short walk north of the Wearmouth Bridge, between the city centre and the stadium. Opening days change from week to week, so check before visiting.

Best for: Suits supporters interested in the club's history.

Pubs for match days

The Colliery Tavern on Southwick Road faces the Stadium of Light and is generally regarded as a home supporters' pub on match days. At Roker, the Harbour View on Benedict Road overlooks the harbour and is about 20 minutes' walk from the ground. Away supporters should follow the club's and police advice on where to drink. Our guide to the best pubs in Sunderland has more options in the city centre.

Best for: Suits home fans meeting up before kick-off.

Know a club or pitch we have missed? Get in touch.