Stadium of Light

Arrival

Arriving at the Stadium of Light, visiting coaches park up on Mackem Way - closed to traffic and just a short walk along the River Wear from the Stadium.

Program

The Sunderland match day program R&W costs £4 (2024), and is available from a program seller nearby on Mackem Way. Visiting supporters are not allowed to take change into the stadium - so pay by card if you can, or take the change back to your coach.

Food

No idea, the concourse was rammed at half time, and the stewards thought it might be better if we headed to the bar downstairs. I sat it out in my seat (which I had to share with three people).

Stadium

The Stadium of Light has a capacity of 49,000, up from 42,000 on opening in 1997. Apparently the stadium was built in a readily extensible format, with a third tier added to the North and West stands before 2000. Nice internally, but with a somewhat spartan exterior.

Atmosphere

The away fans are put up in the third tier, well away from the action. The atmosphere is pretty good for a bowl, and once the home crowd get going the roar is exceptional.

Getting Away

Getting away is fairly straightforward, as the barrier is released allowing coaches to drive straight out from Mackem Way. Be prepared for a slow crawl out of Sunderland though as over 40,000 people disperse from the ground.

Images

Lee Perry