Sunderland Association Football Club (SAFC) and The Stadium of Light

Alexander Iles

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Sunderland Association Football Club (SAFC) and The Stadium of Light

Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, SR5 1SU
03719111973
  • Monday9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Tuesday9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Wednesday9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Thursday9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Friday9:00am - 5:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Sunderland Association Football Club
Sunderland Association Football Club (SAFC) & The Stadium of Light
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Sunderland Association Football Club (SAFC), known by their nickname the “Black Cats”, or by the regional nickname for Sunderland, the “Mackem’s”, are the football club for the city of Sunderland. Founded in 1879 the club started as a group of teachers who played football before expanding to people from all professions. The team have played in their red and white strips since the club was founded and are recognised for the red and white strips with black shorts wherever they play. The team for a long time played from their old grounds at Roker Park, but moved in 1997 to the Stadium of Light and then expanded it to its current 49,000 seat size. The current stadium is built on top of the Monkwearmouth colliery pit, being another great example of using the old industrial site to redevelop the city. While many know the club for its rivalry with the “Magpies” (Newcastle United) whom they have had a derby game against since 1898, the club have unfortunately gone through hard times of late. They have, however, had amazing past glories, having won the premier league six times and been runners up five times. The clubs encouraging call for the players, “Ha’way the lads”, which contrasts with Newcastle’s “Howay”, a regional difference in accent, but boils down to the same encouragement of “COME ON”, can be heard coming from the diehard fans on any match-day.

The Stadium of Light size and ease of access on the metro and city centre connections mean it is used regularly for concerts, having hosted Beyoncé, the Spice Girls and Bruce Springsteen in its history. This brings huge crowds of people as the pitch itself is transformed and people gather from across the British Isles to enjoy shows performed by world famous names. No matter what draws you to the Stadium of Light, from football through to concerts, it’s a fantastic venue that is a true treasure within Sunderland.

What's on near Sunderland Association Football Club (SAFC) and The Stadium of Light

Sunn O)))
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Sunn O))) at Project House

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From £35.00
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An electronic auteur, a veteran of the world’s major clubs, and the man who named electroclash – playing a pub in Todmorden.

From £13.20
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Gwafu Vegan Seasonal Supper Club

Cameroon meets Manchester at Ngwafu’s plant-based supper club. Held in July at Bridge 5 Mill, with an all-vinyl soundtrack from Bitter Leaf Industries.

From £22

Where to go near Sunderland Association Football Club (SAFC) and The Stadium of Light

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The Fire Station

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Angelo's Ristorante
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Angelo’s Ristorante

Angelo’s Ristorante is an authentic Italian restaurant in Sunniside, Sunderland. Sitting within in a Grade II listed building, the restaurant enjoys surroundings that have been carefully restored using the original features of the building, including a rare glass staircase from the 19th century.

St. Peter's Church
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St. Peter’s Church

St. Peter’s Church is a Grade I listed building on the campus of Sunderland University, founded originally by Benedict Biscop.

Port Independent
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Port Independent

Port Independent is an independent clothing retailer selling high-end fashion and quirky, carefully curated pieces.

Aphrodite
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Aphrodite

In 1994 Aphrodite was established by two brothers, Andrew and Duncan McKenzie, who had a passion for bringing good menswear to people in their city. Since then, they have been providing designer clothing from a range of high-quality brands that have large scale appeal to those who love fashion such as Stone Island, Canada Goose, DSquared2, Kenzo & Balmain – though that list is not exhaustive as they have clothing from every brand from A-Z.

The National Glass Centre
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The National Glass Centre

The National Glass Centre tells how glass, a delicate and light material, came to be such a large part of Sunderland’s stature and history.

Reynolds Outdoor Centre
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Reynolds Outdoor Centre

Reynolds Outdoor Centre has provided outdoor wear, military surplus and camping gear since 1860. In the North East of England there is a fantastic array of wilderness to explore, from hills and mountains through to beautiful valleys and seaside walks.

D'Acqua
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D’Acqua

A stone’s throw from Sunderland museum and winter gardens, is D’Acqua – an exceptional eating experience in the heart of the city. In a Grade II listed building that used to house the Sunderland and South Tyneside water board, you will be able to enjoy the ambience that resonates out of these fantastic bricks and mortar – French oak floors and handmade bricks at that.

Mowbray Park
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Mowbray Park

In the heart of Sunderland is Mowbray Park – one of the oldest parks in the North East of England. This beautiful park is wonderfully Victorian, being carefully designed to allow for a pleasant walk and fresh air in the centre of the city, while showing you plans from across the world.

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