Stadium of Light Sports Fan Tips
Stadium of Light is a venue in or near Sunderland that is most often used for Soccer
Best Insider tip at Stadium of Light?
Sunderland now have their own Fan Zone just outside of the stadium. There is a range of different food options, as well as tasty and (sort-of) inexpensive drinks, so you can really enjoy yourself! It's open for 3 hours before the game (perfect for pre-match predictions and analysis) and up to an hour after, if you don't want to rush off home. There is even live music and a few big screens about. To cap it off, it's free to enter. You should definitely check it out if you're ever at a game.
Best Food and Drink at Stadium of Light?
The food at the Stadium of Light is positively cheap compared to the majority of Premier League venues! It's £3.50 for one their footie pies and only £3 for a sausage roll or Cornish pasty. For a bigger meal like fish and chips (always recommended if you're travelling from outside the UK!) you're looking at £5.50, but that's what you'll pay at a chip shop anyway.Decent food, decent price.
Best restaurants near Stadium of Light?
The best thing about eating out near the Stadium of Light, is the fact that you can park yourself right on the riverside! The Riverview Brasserie is renowned for its Sunday lunch, though the rest of the menu is up to scratch as well. Add in the magnificent views and there's no reason not to visit. If you want an even more convenient location, then the Karbon Grill is within a literal stone's throw of the stadium: quality grilled meat at its best.
What to expect from the Stadium of Light crowd?
You can get up to an outrageous 9,000 away fans (out of 49,000 seats) for cup games, but only 3,000 in the league. The home fans though are exceptionally accommodating: friendly, excitable and there to enjoy a great day of football. The crowd is always behind their team, always cheering and making noise, so the atmosphere is never below a 7/10. For a good game, it's a 10. If you're a visiting Sunderland fan, you'll be treated like family and have a fantastic afternoon, guaranteed.
Best Pubs around Stadium of Light?
My recommendation is to accept a 15-20 minute walk to the stadium and enjoy a pleasant trip to Harbour View. It's right on the seaside and boasts a load of quality ales, great food and a welcoming, friendly atmosphere for away fans. The icing on the cake? A large HD screen for showing other sports, or an earlier game in the day. The Sunderland fans aren't too rowdy, so you shouldn't struggle to find another pub to grab a nice pre-game drink.
Things to check out around Stadium of Light?
It's probably not something you've ever heard of, but the National Glass Centre is well worth a mention here. One of its main attractions is the lessons you can attend, like learning to blow glass or make beautifully flameworked decorations. You can also learn about the history and different uses for glass across the world. It's a fascinating material, and the National Glass Centre is a fascinating afternoon!
How do I get to Stadium of Light?
There are a few options. The train is a good one: Sunderland Railway Station is about 15 minutes' walk away and you can just follow the other fans, so you won't get lost. The metro takes you to "Stadium of Light” station (ideal for home fans) and "St Peters”, which is good for away supporters as it's closer to their entrance. There's some parking in the area too, but a better bet might be using the free "Park and Ride” service from Sunderland Enterprise Park. Dump your car and get a lift there and back!
Stadium of Light seating?
Following its recent expansions, Sunderland now boasts the fifth-largest football ground in the Premier League and the range of quality seating is better than ever. It's a well-maintained stadium with an acceptable amount of legroom, which helps with us tall guys! The most popular matches cost a bit more (as is common), but the ticket range is still reasonable at £25-40. Away fan prices are capped at £30, so do your best to get a good seat!