Stadium of Light

If it were the Stadium Of Likes they it would be a Facebook Stadium. If it were the Stadium Of Lychee it would be a delicious tropical fruit popular in India. And if it were the Stadium of Lipo… well then a lot of cute Geordie Shore types would be here getting surgery.
Thankfully (or not?) it’s none of those things. Sunderland are, somehow, blessed with one of the best stadiums in the Premier League and in the country.
First-​Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium. I have lots of photos of me at this place. It’s a wonderful stadium. I first came here in 2004, then again to watch a match in 05, then in 07, and when on tour in 2011. Most recently, I visited in 2014, when my partner and I were looking into buying a property (or more likely renting) somewhere in the Tyne & Wear area. I always stop by the stadiums and catch matches if I can and this is one of my faves.
I’ve been to virtually every significant stadium in the UK & US, due to a lifelong obsession with travel, sport & especially footy (soccer to Americans). Born and raised in England, I followed Oxford United (my hometown team) to many stadiums all over the country at away games, and later followed Liverpool (my fave team) around. Every stadium review — like all my reviews — are from personal experience at these stadiums from multiple visits. In 2011, I was on music tour in the UK, and visited these stadiums then, also. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was «stuck» in the UK for 3 months, I visited all of the stadiums as I travelled around the country. I have pictures of many of them which I will post in future. Also, when I’m back in the UK I plan to take more pictures, and add more stadiums too! So watch this space!
*** return to regular review ***
Built in 1997 and costing 24 million, I actually did part of the shoot for my first album here because I like it so much (even though I’m a much bigger supporter of Newcastle than Sunderland).
It can hold 60k for concerts. Oasis, Take That, Pink, Kings Of Leon, Coldplay, RHCP, Springsteen, Bön Jovi, Rihanna, One Direction and Foo Fighters have all played here.
It’s a huge bowl that is right on a river… and England have played here too. They beat Turkey 2 – 0 here in a Euro qualifier.

Full disclosure, I’m a Newcastle supporter. Went here to see Springsteen and have to say was impresses with the quality of catering and the facilities which in my opinion are superior to Newcastle (if you consider this important!). Great night! Must admit have been several times as an away fan, but general judgements difficult in these circumstances!

the stadium of light is an amazing footy stadium in its own rite. But what truly makes it a place u love to go is the amazing atmosfier are the Sunderland supporters themselves.

Un stade superbe, une ambiance à l’anglaise comme on les aime et des supporters fidèles J’y ai passé un très bon moment pour le finale des championats d’europe des moins de 16 en 2002!

The stadium is amazing.
This is because of the fans, being loyal and supporting the club through thick and thin.
The attendances of the football games itself are very good, the tickets seem to be a reasonable price for a premier league team.
It is located a few minutes from the city centre and has many transport links situated nearby, the stadium is usually very clean.
The only thing i see that is bad is the toilets, they always stink of urine etc.

The Stadium of Light is in a silly location really. In my opinion it should be further outside of town as this is in quite a central location and so on a match day thousands of people are walking out in front of cars which is such a hazard.
Nevertheless the stadium itself is quite impressive and it always has an amazing atmosphere. I’m personally not a football fan but I can still say it’s a good stadium. They always get fan’s in quickly, and there’s plenty of places to grab good and drink. It is expensive and there are queue’s, but it’s better than nothing!

The Stadium of Light is a good ground but is let down by a number of factors.
1) It’s in the middle of a carpark, near enough in the middle of nowhere.
2) The ear-​splitting PA system before the match saps any atmosphere you try and create.
3) And this is the biggy, the stewards. Almost every travelling fan I have ever spoken to has had a run-​in with Sunderland’s stewards, who seem to take petty jobsworthism to the next level. If you aren’t sitting down and being quiet, they aren’t happy and then can ruin an otherwise very pleasant trip.
No need to be so heavy handed!

Haway the lads, you can gaurantee a fantastic atmosphere at every home match. and with the line up of gigs for summer 09 the stadiums reputation is growing along with the team.

This stadium has a great atmosphere especially when the home team are winning! It is also very easy to get to either by bus, car or metro as there are bus and metro stops nearby and some parking around the stadium. I would advise going by metro as its the quickest but it does get hugely busy around kick off times which is to be expected really.
the only thing at annoyed me was the price of food and drink inside which is very steep but its worth it for the pies etc at half time to warm you up.

Fantastic atmosphere. Prokofiev blares out just before the teams take to the pitch and the roar that meets the Sunderland players sends shivers down your spine.
Well-​designed stadium. Access and crowd management are both superb.

Sunderland fans are well renowned for their passion for their football team, and the perfect place to experience it is at the Stadium of Light. Frequently given the title of loudest fans in football, it’s a great place to enjoy the game. As well as the games, the Stadium also has it’s black cats bar for a pre match drink and a snack bar. Soon to be playing at the Stadium of light, as well as the black cats themselves are Oasis and Take That. It’s sure to be an excellent gig.
There is a Park and ride service, although there are quite a few places you can park within walking distance, as well as the Metro station just outside.

If you want to experience Premiership football at its most passionate, then the Stadium of Light is a ground you should visit, it is also one of the few Premiership grounds heaving with passion.
As a Sheffield United fan living in Sunderland, i have been in both the home and away sections of the ground. Both were enjoyable times (thought not result wise as a Sheff Utd fan).
There is no bad view in the ground, there are plenty of food outlets with lots of choice ranging from crisps, chocolate, lager, hot drinks, cold drinks, chips, burgers and of course the football pies!
Toilets are easy to find as there are a lot and getting in and out of the stadium is hassle free.
Parking is limited and traffic is very heavy on a match day.
For further information on the Stadium of Light, click the link;

Me and my partner are big sunderland fans and had our wedding here.
The staff were fantastic from the start and helped me every step of the way from the table and chair covers to the favours and ballons.
There is many differant rooms to choose from for the size of your party and menus for every budget from sit down meal to buffet, we had both of these the sit down meal for day and buffet for night and the food was just great.
Now for the football side of it 49,000 capacity you can imagine the atmosphere we sunderland supporters give to our team there is plenty of bars for alcohol, soft drinks, foods and of course boyle sports betting.
The stadium also runs many events from sunday/​christmas dinners to childrens stadium tours and lots of charity events and they have just started holing concerts (take-​that and oasis) The club shop is also worth a look they sometimes have great sale items.

The stadiums atmosphere must be experienced to believe it. The hairs on the back of yr neck stand up as the teams come out onto the pitch.
The crowds are policed strongly and idiots will not be tollerated, which is nice for the famillies who go there, park awy from the ground and better to travel on the Metro to St Peters and walk through the sheepfolds

The stadium of light is great. On a match day the stadium is at its best. I was recently there for a function which impressed me a great deal, although the drinks are pricey compared to town centre.

Wow the atmosphere in this stadium is fantastic and I can recommend coming along for the experience.
Obviously I’m a supporter but none the less, the stadium it’s self is fantastic. 49,000 capacity and the flow of people into and out of the stadium is always smooth. There’s alcohol, food and betting available inside but be warned it’s expensive and you will have to queue.
Toilet facilities are good; there are provisions for wheelchair access and a good mix people in the crowd.