The Stadium of Light is home to the north east team Sunderland A.F.C. it first opened in 1997 and has a capacity of 49,000.
2018 Match Venue?
Today the stadium of light is amongst the biggest in the country, however by 2018, there will be many new stadiums that are bigger and have better facilities. the reason that the stadium of light should host games in 2018 is because of the great atmosphere created in the stadium and the north east should be home to world cup football as the fans are some of the most passionate and loud in the country and it is also easily the best sporting stadium in the north east as each seat in the stadium gives a good view of the pitch, unlike its local rival St James’ Park.
In 1995 Sunderland put forward a plan to build a Stadium on the former site of Wearmouth Colliery which had recently closed. The area, on the north bank of the River Wear in the Sheepfolds district of Sunderland, was only a few hundred yards from former ground Roker Park, and in the heart of the city. On November 13, 1995, Sunderland Chairman Bob Murray finally announced that plans had been approved for Sunderland to build a 34,000-seater stadium on the site. Ballast Wiltshier PLC was contracted to build the stadium at an initial cost of £15 million. In June 1996, as the planned capacity rose to 40,000, The capacity was revised again in 1997, and the stadium was completed on time, with a capacity of 42,000. The north stand was extended in 2000 to give a capacity of 49,000 which cost the club a further £7million.
The name ‘Stadium of Light’ was revealed with mixed reactions, the name came from a competition and was inspired from the translation of Benficas ground in Lisbon (Estádio da Luz). The name is also a reference to a miners lamp which recognizes that the stadium was built on a former colliery.
The Stadium is separated into the West Stand, North Stand, East Stand and South Stand. The West Stand includes a number of executive boxes and also houses the main entrance, the changing rooms and tunnel, hospitality and banqueting suites, media facilities, and the sports bar. The pitch is several meters below the level of the ground outside of the stadium. This means that the stadium is larger than it appears from outside. Away fans are usually seated the west side of 
the South Stand, beside the vocal heart of the Stadium Of Light – the South West Corner which is home to some of the loudest fans in the country, and has been known to out sing almost any away fans which come into the stadium. The North Stand has the ‘slogan’ “Ha’way The Lads” on the seats of the stand – this is to inspire the Sunderland players and create the ‘home end’ effect. It is truly amazing when the North Stand and the South West Corner sing together, and sometimes the South Stand. It is very intimidating to any away fans.
Transportation is a major issue with the stadium as there are no large-scale parking facilities. The St Peter’s and Stadium of Light Metro stations were built to serve the stadium, when the Metro was extended into Sunderland in 2002. A park and ride system is available on match days to allow spectators to park away from the Stadium, and a number of new footbridge proposals have been put forward to link the stadium to the south bank of the river, though to date none has been approved.
If spread across the country, St James’ Park will be the only North East venue
Don’t talk soft, that place is depressing and full of loosers!
At least we can spell losers! Better stadium than Sid James Park by a thousand miles!
Why would Sunderland be overlooked Mike if Sunderland have the potential to expand the ground to 60000+. Unlike St James which has no such potential.
Because Newcastle is the “main” city in the north east if you like and is well linked to cities across the country, unlike Sunderland. Not just stadia but places as well
Definate Possibility of hosting group games, due to high reputation, and has been previously used for Internationals – unlikely to be overlooked
St. James’ is quirky and beautiful and is right in the middle of a far more exciting night life than anything in Sunderland. I dont like the SOL’s roof whereas I love St. James’ clear awning. And while Sunderlands stadium could build to a million capacity, it has no reason to go any higher than what they have now, especially once they get relegated once again. St. James’ will get up to around 60,000 plus eventually before 2018 and that will be plenty good enough. For a fringe city (any northeast city involved in an England host situation) will see a limited amount of games and would not need to be anything near 70 or 80 thousand anyways. Just look at the current Euros, St. James’ is as big as the venue for the final.
Why are you all so obsessed with us and looking to bring the facts down that are published by neutral sources such as this article, and we won’t be relegated again you stupid geordie fool. Our stadium is newer, louder, and much better quality than yours and you can’t take it. Will you ever learn? maybe when Keegan and Ashley run your club to the ground.
Why are Newcastle fans heads shoved so far up there own a*se, its clear Newcastle fans are extremely jellose of the stadium of light and the Sunderland fans, any one from the out side looking in can see this.
Stadium of light to host 2018 game!!
St James’ Park cannot be expanded on the small sides, because of the housing area behind, meaning that it is highly unlikely it will ever reach 60,000. Whereas the Stadium of Light can easily continue expanding, to a stage even where it could compare to the height of Nou Camp. Georides are being extremely dillusional and naive in believing there stadium is better than the Stadium of Light. They have to remember it will not be a club occasion, not Sunderland vs Newcastle, it’s the World Cup for christ sake where all of England will be supporting. Just look at this “I dont like the SOL’s roof whereas I love St. James’ clear awning.” how nit picky can you get, the Stadium of Light has a clear roof dipshit, and I’ve noticed how thats the only thing you like about the stadium, it’s an eyesore, massive on one side, minute on the other, some serious shit headed geordie must have been involved in designing this stadium.
Sunderland forever!
FTM! FTM!
Both clubs have a “small club mentality” and will never win trophies. I don’t know maybe it has something to do with the North East being such a depressing, God-forbidden place. Funny how both clubs were getting terrible crowds when they were in lower divisions but now fill their stadiums in the land of milk and honey, even though the North East has the self-proclaimed most passionate loyal supporters in the country. Hmmm!
the last bloke,, ‘the truth’ is a knobhead and clearly a tory southern twat
That’s a very small minded view on the north east, I was born and live in London but was bought up with only one team, im an SAFC supporter and have taken a lot of stick for it whilst growing up, season ticket holder, get to at least 10 away matches a season and I can honestly say the atmosphere is better than anywhere else in England, the 2 teams in north east may be under achievers but the atmosphere is another level, the fact that sunderland where regularly getting more than 35,000 in the championship shows that, both of the big teams in the north east have very little to show yet they are still able to fill the 4th and 5th biggest stadiums in the country. You can slate the area for it’s football achievements but not for it’s support and atmosphere it’s the best in the country and maybe the world.
Oh and if you think the north east is God-forbidden you should actually visit it, the people are the friendliest I have ever met with my London accent and the night life is amazing.
With Wembley as a showcase (less support on an international than the 2 NE teams playing bottom PL clubs) Old Trafford (no atmosphere old trafford) and The Emirates (no atmosphere emirates) that makes Sid James’s and The Stadium Of Light the biggest stadiums in the country who actually know what atmosphere is, the fact that people consider the 20,000 at Portsmouth to be the next best atmosphere in the prem sums it up, For true love of the game the NE is the best place to be, due to the lack of football success the NE is ignored too much by the FA, 2 teams in 2 city’s who manage 80,000 between them on a normal premier league match day without having really achieved anything since the 70′s shows the passion in NE football as did the recent Wear-Tyne derby, the North East loves football, London and the North East can’t compare for blind passion.
Look at the appearance of the stadium for a start, the red welcoming seats, the atmosphere and the stunning facilities…
Compare this with the doom and gloom of Newcastle’s st. james’ park who’s stadium can not be extended by a tremendous amount and compared to the stadium of light, really it has no hope at all.
Of course Sunderland can be a host in 2018. The club has a winning mentality and is the heart of the north east by far.
Why sit and bitch about this same old subject???, Yeh we know sunderland has a good stadium with a possibility of expansion (But doubtful anytime in the near future) and newcastle has a stadium in the heart of a well recognised city nationwide and worldwide which sunderland perhaps dont, We should be working to together to sell the north easts passion for football not each individual cities!!! if places like fratton park and other lesser stadia win over ours then its going to be a sad day
If sunderland were to be a host stadium, then which airport would teams, fans etc… fly into? or which train station would the main link from other areas be? via NEWCASTLE i think!!! Enough said
Think about this logically.
Are football fans from around the world seriously going to go to Sunderland? I’m not so sure it’s going to send out a very good image, is it? Do you think fans traveling by train are going to go up to central station, a stones throw from St James Park, and then pile on the metro to the dark place? Sunderland has no hotels, no shops, no attractions, no airport, no reason to go there! Face it mackems. No international football will be played in Sunderland in 2018.
See you at St James Park.
While the SoL is an impressive stadium, the fact is we have to consider the city as a whole, and Sunderland has very little to offer. People will be coming from around the globe, and we as a nation need to impress. Sunderland does not impress on current form, but can take this as an opportunity (and what the hell, as an excuse) to raise their game. Newcastle is an awesome city to visit, so geography isnt an issue, and im sure in 9 years Sunderland can come up with the required attractions, infrastructure, hotels etc to put on a show. So put petty regional differences aside and get Sunderland up to standard as a city to match its stadium, and look forward to 2018.
If it’s a straight choice between Newcastle and Sunderland then Newcastle will win, Niall Quinn knows this which is why the bumpf from SAFC stresses Sunderlands central location in the region and features pictures of Bamburgh and the Newcastle/Gateshead waterfront (yes, really). Newcastle has everything Sunderland has to offer and more besides, like an airport, mainline railway station, vibrant and cosmopolitain nightlife and, unlike Sunderland, doesn’t have to relie on the infastructure of it’s neighbouring city. As for this claptrap about SJP not being able to expand, the plams have already been drawn up for heavens sake, SJP could accomodate another 8000 or so fans by continuing level 7 around The Gallowgate End. Sunderland might find this easier to do, but then their stadium is surrounded by waste ground and ropey housing, not a Georgian terrace and Victorian park, it comes from being built o the site of a colliery that was still producing coal as recently as the early 90′s, not a “benefit” SJP has.
As usual Sunderland fail to come up to standard as a so called city. Despite what their official bid says, they have have no airport (Newcastle International), major rail station (Newcastle Central Station) or a ferry link (Albert Edward Ferry Terminal- TYNE). They claim to be working ever so hard at regeneration, (former Vaux site, still derelict after 10 years)!
Whilst Sunderland may claim to be the bigger city, this is only true in terms of population. Sunderland city centre is tiny in comparison to that of Newcastle. Newcastle has a far greater variety of attractions (The Gate, Eldon Square, Life Centre..etc) than Sunderland and far greater and larger green spaces for fan parks all within easy reach of efficient transport links.
Finally, visit Sunderland and you’ll likely witness a tide of tracksuit clad scum, mostly standing outside the Wetherspoons, Yate’s or Sinatras smoking their baccy or snidey tabs. Yes Newcastle/Gateshead has it’s fair share too but they are discouraged from prominent central pubs.
I forgot to add that a 2 day kite flying festival and a 2 day air show at Seaburn beach (re-named Sunderland Beach in their official bid) which is over the bridge and 2 miles outside of the city centre, Hardly compares with hosting a World cup tournament.
The makem patter is hysterical and so are the images, Stadium Of light, interior – check, Stadium Of Light exterior – check, Roker beach – check, Penshaw monument – check, Stockton Tees barrage – check, Durham – check, Bamburgh – check, the Newcastle/Gateshead waterfront – CHECK !, yet, curiously, no pictures of Sunderland city centre, strange that, or maybe not ?.
newcastle city centre restaurants 86 source restaurant guide .com
sunderland city centre restaurants 28 – source sunderland city centre .co.uk
newcastle city centre hotels – 89 (20 hotels alone in the city centre) source information britain.co.uk
sunderland city hotels and places to stay – 27 (1 hotel in the city centre) source information britain.co.uk
Sunderland a big city? My arse.
I’m afraid, the city of Sunderland and the stadium itself is behinf the city of Newcastle and Newcastle’s Stadium.
To me, its a gimme that one group is hosted in the North East at Newcastle and Sunderland.
Im a newcastle fan, even mackems will admit that Newcastle is a far better city than Sunderland, however, I feel the North East fans (except Boro) are the two best in the country,and they both have fantastic stadiums, if it were up to me they would both get games. Even though im a die hard Geordie I would rather see Sunderland get it over places like Milton Keyens, Liecester, Derby, Hull and Plymouth. No matter how shitty the city is, the world cup is about football. So it should go to the places with the most passion for the game.
i think that Sunderland should get the games because we are growing and getting better. the team is improving in the premiership and attracting a bigger audience. the is happening throughout the area with the ever growing nightlife to the arts with the empire hosting many plays. the stadium is located just away from the city centre and so if voilance ever occur then no inocent people can get hurt. We are an area growing with the greatest and most friendly people in the world.If were the northeast host would cap off what is happening in Sunderland. big changes are happening and having the world cup would show that to everyone
newcastle united itself would be a mistake. the club has no manager, no board and real form optimism. the club don’t own their own stadium and therefore cannot extend. If international fans who have came to watch football go to their ground they would seriously disappointment, from the bleak gray seats to the bleak gray local’s faces. the whole world cup in england would be seriously let down because of the whole depression in the city. The stadium is located in the city center where anything happens to people who only came to the city for a good night out and end up in the hospital. never newcastle england would be let down, the fans of england would be let down and fifa will never give us the world cup again.
VOTE SUNDERLAND!
This seems 90% Newcastle bias posting on here. Are the Barcodes worried? Have they forgotten this is all for a football tournament?
This event is not to go out and get pissed every night! It is an event where people will be on vacation for maybe two to three weeks supporting their country. During the day people like to get “out and about” unlike the unwashed who stay on their doorstep.
Why are all of the North East teams behind Sunderland and not Newcastle? Within one hour’s drive there are massive attractions north and south of Sunderland…. including Newcastle. However, you need Boro, Darlo and Hartlepool for bases. Boro football wise has the lot, and is within easy reach of Sunderland, and Boro chairman Mr. Steve Gibson is a wise business man with his own 5 star hotel/golf complex next to his own academy / training facility. Do you think he would back Sunderland’s bid if it was doomed to failure?
If Newcastle win this as a venue, do you think that they will not get in touch with Sunderland and vice-versa to use the facilities. Come on, think about it, all will be utilized, but going on stadia alone, Sunderland outstrips Sid James’s on capacity alone. By 2018 there will be an extension on the SOL. Face it losers, Sid James is you shrine, and that is it, not the rest of the North East, UK, Europe and beyond, shake ya heeds man, get out the clouds, you are not everyones second team. Sunderland like it or loathe it, is “central” in the North East.
P.S I am a Plymouth fan….. Green Army!!!
Typical of Newcastle talking down to people from Sunderland about an airport that wouldn’t exist were it not for the people of Sunderland.
What you on about you donkey ? So what if Sunderland is central in the north east this isnt one bid . Its a seperate one so that makes your point completely irrelivant . Newcastle – Links via Air , Sea , Rail and road . Face the facts stadium capicaty wont win the bid you idiot . Newcastle will win this bid hands down because of the amount and quality of the facillites on offer . Sunderland will just have to get the metro up to a world cup city and see the action that way because sunderland wont host nout at all.
As a person who is looking at the bids from a non bias point of view I can only give the following reasons why Sunderland will win the bid.
1: Fantastic stadium that will be expanded to 66,000
2: A terrific sea front that will be a fantastic fans park
3: Two international airports within a 30 min drive
4: The only 5 star hotel in the north east 3 miles from the stadium
5: Sunderland has proven it can handle massive events such as the Air
Show that has over 1,000,000 visitors, Take That, and Oasis concerts.
6: Herrington Park that has been earmarked to be a large fan park which is
in a truly beautiful location and will be used as a camping area.
7: Two metro stations next to the ground and a proven park and ride
system that is used every time there is a match at the stadium.
8: The support of every team in the north east.
9: The fact that every visitor will be given the warmest friendly welcome
Eddie I can tell from your post you know nothing so why pretend to? That cheap & nasty stadium will never be expanded due to sheer lack of demand. However St. James’ certainly will by 2018 after some ground strengthening at the gallowgate end bringing the capacity to around 60k which will be just about right for the toon army. The airports are more like 40 & 50 minutes from sunderland and that’s if you don’t hit any traffic. Herrington Park is miles outside the city unlike the many parks of Newcastle & Gateshead. Transport links are truly poor because of the lack of reason to ever go there. There’s nothing warm and welcoming about sunderland believe me i’ve had to go and work there a few times in the past… what a terrible dump. It would be a great crime to send foreign supporters to that god forsaken hole!
Do you really think that it will be financially viable to expand St. James?(if its still called that!) Where is the logic in expanding your ground that looks like its made from stickle bricks? After the world cup the stadium will look deserted for your mediocre cold Tuesday night games against Blackpool, Scunthorpe, Doncaster…the list goes on. (no disrespect to the clubs mentioned, but its hardly a fixture that will attract 60,000+ !
When will you lot realise that you are a spent force on the verge of oblivion? Well done Mike Ashley and may your long reign continue!!
Sunderland should be a World cup venue as well as St james’ Park. It’s a great stadium .
Liam you say newcastle will win this bid hands down, are you on crack? It is not a battle between two clubs, we can both ‘Win” and host matches. Why so bitter?
If we both get selected it just means more games for the northeast as a whole.
Your heroin alan Shearer has came out and backed our bid, aswell as yours, why cant you lot just accept you are no longer ‘top dogs’ in the northeast and move on.
FTM
I think a lot of these comments smell of complete arrogance to me. Sunderland’s bid has the combined backing of Middlesborough, Carlisle, Darlington, and Hartlepool football clubs, as well as a series of major North East buisinesses.
Yes, perhaps Newcastle is a more aesthetically pleasing city, but for someone from Newcastle to claim sunderland as a “barrage of tracksuit clad-scum” is possibly the most ironic thing I have ever read on the internet.
Is there a rule that says both cant be included?
The quality of the opposition bids is very poor and there is no way anybody could convince me that Plymouth (Too isolated and small), MK(No history and too small a club)or Hull(Too isolated,Rugby area) should be included ahead of either North East city. Also it would be a lot cheaper not too waste money (especially since brown wants a cut) building new stadiums for Nottingham, Bristol or Leeds (or Southhampton if they get a bid in) until they can prove they can fill them, 60,000 seats is no good for a league one club.
I think the amount of mags commenting here is proof enough they have been rattled.I also see they choose to ignore the fact that Sunderland city centre is getting developed next year and for the next 5 years at a cost of £500 million,something the bid team were also allowed to see.
It’s also funny how they have a total investmant of £25 million planned for their own city.
People seem to forget we now have a direct line to London which is quicker and with better rolling stock than Newcastle.
It’s also handy to mention that Gateshead is in County Durham,the same as Sunderland,County Durham.
And finally now the infrastructure is in place for the complete regeneration of Sunderland isn’t it ironic that Sir John Hall has promised to work on behalf of the Conservative party to dismantle and abolish One North East.
Goodbye skunkers,you have a few years in the limelight and it went to your heads,you are old news,not even a Premiership team anymore with no money for investment,now wander off into the sunset with your bitter twisted dilusional views,you are not relevant in any sense anymore.
Did anyone else notice that as soon as sunderland made a host city bid for the world cup, literally 2 days later NEWCASTLE/GATESHEAD joined the race aswell. Jelousy!
EDDIE SAYS
”As a person who is looking at the bids from a non bias point of view I can only give the following reasons why Sunderland will win the bid.
1: Fantastic stadium that will be expanded to 66,000
2: A terrific sea front that will be a fantastic fans park
3: Two international airports within a 30 min drive
4: The only 5 star hotel in the north east 3 miles from the stadium
5: Sunderland has proven it can handle massive events such as the Air
Show that has over 1,000,000 visitors, Take That, and Oasis concerts.
6: Herrington Park that has been earmarked to be a large fan park which is
in a truly beautiful location and will be used as a camping area.
7: Two metro stations next to the ground and a proven park and ride
system that is used every time there is a match at the stadium.
8: The support of every team in the north east.
9: The fact that every visitor will be given the warmest friendly welcome”
Adam Says
”Eddie I can tell from your post you know nothing so why pretend to? That cheap & nasty stadium will never be expanded due to sheer lack of demand. However St. James’ certainly will by 2018 after some ground strengthening at the gallowgate end bringing the capacity to around 60k which will be just about right for the toon army. The airports are more like 40 & 50 minutes from sunderland and that’s if you don’t hit any traffic. Herrington Park is miles outside the city unlike the many parks of Newcastle & Gateshead. Transport links are truly poor because of the lack of reason to ever go there. There’s nothing warm and welcoming about sunderland believe me i’ve had to go and work there a few times in the past… what a terrible dump. It would be a great crime to send foreign supporters to that god forsaken hole!”
Now then, judging by the comments, Sunderland was always going to get it….I mean, look at the above posts.
Newcastle cant extend anymore FACT.
They are championship…and will YO-YO for the next decade.
40,000 at the top of the championship is all they will need.
Oh…yes And sunderland have it.
and some city called ”NewcastleGateshead”…although I have no Idea where it is…..But SUnderlands beautiful state of the art ground, hopefully extended to 65,000 will put the ‘Geordie Galactiocos’ to shame.
lol what i find funny is how people can actually call newcastle airport newcastle airport, 1 its in northumberland, 2 check your facts it was mostly paid for by sunderland city coucil as was the metro line. we also have a direct line to london via railway. lol newcastle my ass have not got a clue these people so far up their own backsides. oh did i mention sunderland is the largest city between leeds and edinburgh. stadium of light can easily be upgraded to 66k in months. check this web site out http://www.sunderlandarc.com then tell us what our city is going to be like. 1.5bn worth of investment were gonna catch up and fast.
thisis very goodpicture and i would like of the leeds