Stadium of Light Seating Plan

Stadium of Light Seating Plan at a Glance

Guide to the Stadium of Light Seating Plan

Holding 48,095 fans the Stadium of Light is the 10th largest football stadium in England, and the 9th largest in the Premier League.

Sunderland AFC’s layout is a large enclosed bowl, first opened in 1997 and expanded shortly after to reach its current 48,707 capacity.

A fitting home for the Red & White Army, the Wearside ground has been given plenty of updates in the 2020s.

New, Premier League-worthy hospitality has been added and the concourses were redone in summer 2025. Meanwhile there are now thousands of safe standing rail seats in the Carling Stand (North Stand) and South Stand.

Now, if you’re buying Premier League tickets to see Sunderland AFC, maybe you want an idea of what to expect from this unique stadium.

So read on as we look at each stand in the Stadium of Light seating plan in detail.

What Are the Stands at the Stadium of Light?

The four stands in the Stadium of Light seating plan are the East Stand, South Stand, West Stand and the North Stand, known for sponsorship as the Carling Stand. We’ll now take a stand-by-stand trip around the map of this magnificent stadium.

East Stand at the Stadium of Light

Capacity: Approx 11,000

Rows: 50

Blocks: L1–L9, U1–U9

The simplest stand in the Stadium of Light seating plan is the East Stand, made up of two tiers of general admission seating.

What the East Stand gives you are great seats with clear sightlines of the action, especially near the halfway line in Blocks L4, L5 and L6 and U4, U5 and U6.

Simply put, these are the best seats you can buy at Sunderland without paying for hospitality. The views are sensational, even if Black Cats fans can be quiet here.

From an elevated row you can clearly see the players’ tunnel, the dugouts, the managers, both goals, as well as the away fans to your right.

With its unobstructed spread of seats, the East Stand is often the setting for special choreographed displays.

For instance, in the 2021/22 season there was a massive mosaic here for the League One Play-Off semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday.

Now, if there’s a small drawback it’s that the sun may occasionally get in your eyes on afternoon games in winter. Even if sunshine can be pretty rare in Sunderland.

South Stand at the Stadium of Light

Capacity: Approx 8,000

Rows: 50

Blocks: L10–L14, U10–U17

For a rocking matchday with fellow Black Cats fans full of voice, look no further than the South Stand.

The south-west corner generates most of the noise for Sunderland AFC home matches. This is the location for an informal singing section and is known among some fans as the “loud end”.

A seat in Blocks L13, L14, or U15 and U16 and U17 above should give you the noisiest atmosphere. So be ready to sing your head off if you get Sunderland tickets in this part of the Stadium of Light map.

Things improved even more in summer of 2024, when the club installed 2,000 safe standing rail seats in the Upper Tier.

The other blocks in the South Stand are still noisy, although there’s a small exception in the south-east corner, which is specified as the Family Zone.

The vibe here is a little calmer than the neighbouring blocks in the East Stand. However, unlike other stadiums there aren’t strictly enforced rules about fan behaviour, so bad language may be an issue for some parents.

In previous years these blocks (L10, L32, U10, U11 and U12) had a family-friendly concourse for kids. However, those features were gone when we visited the stadium.

Pre-match, families now gather at the Matchday Fanzone at the modern Beacon of Light complex.

West Stand at the Stadium of Light

Capacity: Approx 17,000

Rows: 80

Blocks: L16–L22, U18–U23, P1–P12

The largest stand at the Stadium of Light contains almost all of the hospitality experiences, as well as all of the stadium’s matchday facilities.

So, the dressing rooms and tunnel are here, along with the press box, Directors’ Box, dugouts, and the television camera positions.

Don’t expect a lot of singing or standing in the West Stand. But what this stand loses in atmosphere it recovers in comfort and luxury.

There’s a wealth of lounges in the West Stand, from the sociable Quinn’s Sports Bar to Banks on the Wear, with sumptuous dining and lovely views over the River Wear.

Between the Lower Bowl and Upper Bowl there’s an unbroken row of boxes that continues into the North Stand and some of the South Stand.

Although hospitality takes up most of the centre of the West Stand there are plenty of general admission seats on the north and south sides.

These seats are fantastic for families, as the atmosphere is a bit calmer and fans will stay in their seats.

Carling Stand (North Stand) at the Stadium of Light

Capacity: Approx 13,000

Rows: 80

Blocks: L23–L31, U24–U36, P14–P38

In the first couple of years after the Stadium of Light was completed in 1997, the North Stand had the same layout as the East Stand and South Stand.

However, work soon began on an expansion, and by 2000 the North Stand mirrored the enlarged configuration of the West Stand.

A key thing to mention about the Carling Stand is it is where the away fans sit at the Stadium of Light. Visiting supporters occupy the Upper Tier of the stand from Block P24 to P28. There are also 1,000 safe standing seats in this section.

This is one of only two away sections in the Premier League—along with Newcastle’s St. James’ Park—not to be located next to the pitch.

Still, that is set to change, with away fans set to be moved to the Lower Bowl by the 2026/27 season. One reason for the move, along with the need to comply with Premier League rules, is to improve the atmosphere by placing rowdy away fans pitchside.

A handy detail about the Carling Stand is that it’s next to the Beacon of Light building which opened in 2018.

Just on the other side of the Sunderland Aquatic Centre, this complex hosts the Matchday Fan Zone. Open 2.5 hours before kick-off, the Fan Zone helps Black Cats fans get in the mood for the game, with live entertainment, food & drink, mascots, activities and video games.

Last but not least, there are matchday hospitality seats at the back end of the Lower Tier, added before 2025/26 and replacing the old Black Cats Bar.

Will I Get Wet at the Stadium of Light?

With its high roofs, the Stadium of Light is susceptible to the elements. Sunderland famously has unsettled weather, so fans in the lower rows of the Lower Tier may get wet. The East Stand, facing the prevailing wind, is especially vulnerable if the rain is driving in at an angle.

Where Is the Best Place to Sit at the Stadium of Light?

Looking at the Stadium of Light seating plan, we’ll run through the best places to sit, depending on what you want from a match watching the Black Cats.

The South Stand: For the Noisiest Fans at the Stadium of Light

Always the loudest part of the stadium, the atmosphere in the South Stand has gone into overdrive in the last few seasons.

You’ve got rail seats in the Upper Bowl, a designated singing section in the south-west blocks and thousands of barmy Mackems who will sing, shout and clap for 90+ minutes.

The East Stand: For the Best Views at the Stadium of Light

If you’re a general admission ticket holder, park yourself in the East Stand if you don’t want to miss a moment of the action.

Like the rest of the stadium, the views are unbroken here, but being along the touchline, you will be able to follow the match like you’re watching it on TV.

The West Stand: For Hospitality at the Stadium of Light

Every Block on or near the halfway line in the West Stand’s Upper Bowl is set aside for Sunderland’s hospitality packages.

You will have to pay extra of course, but seats in this part of the Stadium of Light offer unbeatable views and a wealth of comforts from padded seats to fine dining.

You also get a lot more flexibility with opening times, arriving early and leaving the ground late.

The Carling Stand: Perfect for Banter at the Stadium of Light

If you’re the kind of Black Cats fan who likes some harmless interaction with visiting supporters, you’ll love the Carling Stand.

There’s a bit of extra spice in this portion of the Stadium of Light seating plan, with 3,000 away fans in North Stand Upper chanting all match.

Sunderland AFC: Accessibility at the Stadium of Light

The Stadium of Light tends to get good feedback for accessibility, with inclusive services and features across all stands.

These include offering 200+ wheelchair bays, sensory support, and assistive services throughout the venue. Let’s browse the key details:

General Access

• Four accessible entrances: 62A, 32A, 46A, and 54A
• West Stand corporate and Black Cats Bar areas accessible via lift

Accessible Seating

• 202 wheelchair user bays available (196 in the home end)
• Distribution across West, East, South, and Carling stands (including 6 away bays)
• 328 easy access and amenity seats available
• Ambulant supporters may sit anywhere with a companion

 Facilities

• Accessible toilets available throughout the stadium (radar key-locked)
• Sensory Room (Nathan Shippey Room) available for fans with autism spectrum disorder
• Audio commentary headsets for blind or partially sighted supporters
• Assistance dogs welcome (Lower Tier only and notify club in advance)
• Hearing loop installed in the Ticket Office
• Club shop is fully accessible to wheelchair users
• Food kiosks include ramp access and lowered counters

Recapping the Stadium of Light Seating Plan

So that’s our guide to the Stadium of Light seating plan. More than a quarter of a century after it was built Sunderland’s home ground remains one of England’s best and largest club stadiums.

Whether you want the power of the crowd on the South Stand, the views of the East Stand or the luxury of the West Stand there’s a seat for you at the home of the Black Cats.

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