Match Day at the Stadium of Light: A Visitor's Guide

The Stadium of Light sits on the north bank of the Wear at Monkwearmouth, about a mile from the city centre. Home of Sunderland AFC since 1997, it fills with around 49,000 supporters on a match day and also hosts large summer concerts. This guide covers the practical side of a visit: how to get there, where to drink and eat, what else is nearby, and where to find accessibility and family information.

Getting there

The Metro is the simplest way in. Two stations on the Green line serve the ground: Stadium of Light station, a short walk north of the stadium, and St Peter's, just to the south near the river. Supporters' guides generally suggest using Stadium of Light station if you are heading north towards Newcastle afterwards and St Peter's if you are travelling south towards Sunderland city centre and South Hylton, which helps spread the crowds after the final whistle. Allow time for queues at both stations after the game.

Sunderland mainline station, served by national rail as well as the Metro, is in the city centre. From there it is roughly a 15 to 20 minute walk to the ground, across the Wearmouth Bridge and along North Bridge Street. Several bus routes also pass close to the stadium, and Park Lane Interchange is within walking distance.

Driving is the hardest option. Police and council parking restrictions, including resident permit schemes, cover more than 60 streets around the stadium and are enforced on match and event days. The club advises drivers to use the Park and Ride on Wessington Way (A1231), at Sunderland Enterprise Park, rather than looking for on-street spaces. Check the latest arrangements on safc.com before setting off, as they can change for evening kick-offs and concerts.

Tickets and the stadium

The Stadium of Light opened on 30 July 1997, replacing Roker Park, and was built on the site of the former Monkwearmouth Colliery. That history is marked by the large Davy lamp monument at the entrance, a reminder of the miners who worked beneath the site. Capacity is around 49,000 for football, and the record attendance is 48,353, against Liverpool in April 2002.

Match tickets are sold through the club's official website and ticket office, with home and away allocations, memberships and season tickets all managed there. Availability varies by fixture, so it is worth checking well before a popular game.

Best for: Best for first-time visitors and away fans planning a day out on the Wear.

Pubs and food

The pub most closely linked with match days is the Colliery Tavern on Southwick Road, directly opposite the stadium. It is very busy before kick-off, puts up a marquee for the extra crowds, and is generally treated as a home supporters' pub. Food is served and televised football is on throughout.

For something a little calmer, or a pub with cask ale, the Harbour View on Benedict Road at Roker looks out over the harbour and is about a 20 minute walk from the ground. It shows live sport and serves food, and it pairs well with a walk along the seafront before the game. Away supporters should check the latest guidance from their own club and the police, as door policies can change for higher-risk fixtures.

The city centre, across the bridge, has a wider choice of pubs and places to eat for those arriving by train.

Best for: Suits supporters who want a pint and a bite before kick-off, close to the ground or by the sea.

The Fans Museum and stadium tours

The Fans Museum occupies the former Monkwearmouth railway station on North Bridge Street, on the walking route from the city centre to the ground. Run by supporters, it holds shirts, programmes, photographs and memorabilia from the club's history. Opening days vary week to week, so check the website or call before visiting.

The club runs guided stadium tours on selected non-match days. They last a little over an hour and include the home dressing room, the players' tunnel and the dugout. Dates and booking are on the stadium tours page.

Best for: For supporters and visitors who want to see behind the scenes or explore the club's past.

Family areas and things to do nearby

The club's family zone is in the South East corner of the stadium, set aside for adults attending with children. Details of family tickets and junior memberships are on the club website.

Stadium Park around the ground is busy on non-match days too. The Beacon of Light, run by the club's charity the Foundation of Light, offers sport, fitness and family activities seven days a week. Next door, Sunderland Aquatic Centre has a 50m pool, a diving pool and a gym. For something different on a wet afternoon, Sunderland Wall at Pallion Quay offers indoor climbing, bouldering and kids' classes.

Best for: Good for families making a weekend of it, with or without a match.

Accessibility

Sunderland AFC publishes an access statement for the Stadium of Light in the match-day accessibility section of safc.com, covering accessible seating, facilities and how to request support before a visit. Contact the club directly with specific questions, as arrangements can vary by fixture. Crowds around the Metro stations can be heavy after the game, so allowing extra time to leave is sensible, and the Park and Ride is an alternative for those who find the Metro difficult at peak times.

Concerts

Outside the football season the Stadium of Light hosts large outdoor concerts, with capacity rising to around 60,000 in concert layout. Recent visitors have included Beyoncé and P!nk in 2023, Bruce Springsteen in 2024 and Take That in June 2026. The same transport advice applies on concert nights: use the Metro or the Park and Ride, and expect road closures and parking restrictions around the ground.

Best for: For anyone heading to a summer gig rather than a game.

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