Stadium of Light | Sunderland AFC Stadium, Tickets, Capacity & Tour Info

Stadium of Light | Home of Sunderland A.F.C.

The Stadium of Light has been the official home ground of Sunderland A.F.C. since its grand opening on July 30, 1997. The first page of the history of the Stadium of Light is when the club returned to the Premier League in 1999 with a record of 105 points. Not to mention, over the years, the club have seen their fair share of highs and lows with the stadium, but their recent promotion in the Premier League is another page of its history book at the Stadium of Light.

Prior to the Stadium of Light Sunderland journey, it was the Rocker Park which was the home of Sunderland A.F.C. for 99 years. Even though the limited space and the need for modernization saw the club move to the new venue, the Roker Park ground has lived a rich history with the club all the years.

The moniker of the Stadium of Light is a tribute to the regional coal mining heritage. The entrance of the stadium showcases a Davy Lamp monument, which is a symbolic reference to the lamp of the miner. It is not just a highlight of the city but a symbol of hope and guidance.

Since we are turning the history pages, the first ever Sunderland tickets were sold for the match between Ajax and Sunderland A.F.C., which was a friendly, but the Sunderland tickets sold quickly, given that it was the first match in the stadium.

From the likes of Jermain Defoe to Jordan Henderson, there have been marquee names who have graced the Sunderland stadium. With the best days of the club ahead, the Stadium of Light continues to evolve on all fronts, be it stadium modifications or the team itself.

Sunderland Stadium Capacity, Design & Facilities

Unlike many massive football stadiums across the world, the Stadium of Light seating plan is done intelligently to ensure there is maximum visibility from every end. The idea is to elevate the fan experience within the Stadium of Light capacity. As of 2025, the Stadium of Light seating plan ensured there are four main stands. The first one is the North Stand. Then there is the South Stand, which is a feature given that it is the home to the most vocal fans of the club. Lastly, there is the West Stand that consists of executive boxes and dugouts, and the East Stand.

49,000 is still the magic number in terms of the Stadium of Light capacity. It makes them one of the largest stadiums in English Football. The entire bowl is totally enclosed, which makes the chants and noise of the crowd a thrilling and vibrating experience, something that the fans of both ends enjoy.

Sunderland Stadium Turf

The Black Cats' turf is considered among the best in the nation. The pitch dimensions of the stadium are compliant with the rules of the league and UEFA, with 105*68 meters. The Sunderland Stadium turf is built with a hybrid grass technology, which ensures of unmatched game day experience for the players and the fans. Back in 2024, the club poured a hefty sum for the drainage and heating system beneath the pitch.

Stadium of Light Capacity

As of 2025, the Stadium of Light capacity is close to 49,000. However, with the Sunderland stadium expansion taking its course, the number will see a massive rise in the future, which will take the club and the stadium to a new height. In addition to the main stadium, there are also ongoing talks on revamping the Sunderland training ground.

Sunderland Training Ground

The training facility of Sunderland is famously known as the Academy of Light. It is situated in the Cleadon of South Tyneside. Known as one of the famous training grounds in English Football, here are the facilities of the Sunderland training ground:

• More than 12 full-sized pitches that include both natural and synthetic surfaces.
• In addition to an indoor training dome, there is an on-site hydrotherapy pool and physiotherapy room.
• Moreover, there is a state-of-the-art gym and massage room.
• There are sports science facilities available for both the academy players and the first team players.
• Lastly, there are fully equipped tactical rooms and video analysis suites for the coaching staff and the players.

Sunderland Stadium Expansion

When it comes to the Stadium of Light expansion, the Premier League club has recently done some work in 2024. However, it was for the turf since that was the first priority of the plan. The club now has more than 35,000 season ticket holders, as per many media reports. While the Stadium of Light capacity is 49,000 right now, the club has already put the Sunderland stadium expansion at the top of its agenda. The expansion plans are taking it's course to increase the seating capacity. Safe to say, if the club can make sure of sustained Premier League status and keep on drawing near-capacity crowds, a possible expansion to 60,000+ seats can take place.