Introduction
For the commencement of the 24/25 season, Sunderland Association Football Club has introduced safer standing areas in both the South and North upper stands to help keep supporters safe while watching the match. The safer standing areas have been installed following consultation with the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) and in line with guidance published by the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA).
Code of Conduct
This code of conduct compliments the ground regulations and the licenced standing area ticketing terms and conditions in respect of the Stadium of Light and is not a replacement for those conditions.
All supporters wishing to attend a match in a safe standing area are required to comply with this Code of Conduct.
When attending the match in a safe standing area, please:
1. Be respectful towards stewards, staff and other supporters at all times.
2. Continue to follow the instructions of stewards, staff and Police, who are there to ensure your safety and an enjoyable experience for everyone.
3. Always have your ticket available for any necessary secondary ticket checks.
4. Do not support migration by encouraging non- standing ticket holders to enter that area.
5. Do not climb or stand on the barrier(s), seat(s) or other infrastructure. The safe standing infrastructure is there to keep everyone safe.
6. Standing ticket holders must stand at their allocated seat and not migrate or congregate in one area.
7. Behave appropriately in the stand. Anti-social behaviour or any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment will not be tolerated.
8. Unless using the facilities, only occupy the space in front of the individual seat allocated on your ticket. Do not migrate to a different space, including the vomitories, steps and aisles.
9. Do not engage in overcrowding or surging in the safe standing area or engage in vigorous movement in a stationary crowd (such as moshing). Supporters who engage in such actions could cause serious injuries to themselves or other supporters.
Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may lead to you being removed from the ground and/or being subject to sanction under the Club’s Supporter sanctioning Policy.
Sunderland AFC Terms and conditions (Licenced Standing)
The Club operate licensed standing in seated accommodation areas at the Ground in conjunction with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (the Licensed Standing In Seated Areas).
Only ticketholders who have tickets to the Licensed Standing in Seated Areas are permitted to access the Licensed Standing in Seated Areas. Ticket Holders who have tickets to the Licensed Standing In Seated Areas shall:
- Occupy the space in front of the seat allocated to them on their ticket only and must not move to different spaces within the Licensed Standing In Seated Areas or to different areas of the Ground;
- Expect that other spectators will be standing while play is in progress (although of course they may sit on their allocated seat before and after the activity, or during an interval or halftime break);
- Not sit or stand on the rail or stand on the seats in the Licensed Standing in Seated Areas;
- Not be permitted to admit anyone who does not have a ticket to the Licensed Standing in Seated Areas into the Licensed Standing in Seated Areas;
- Be respectful towards staff, stewards, and other fans at all times;
- Behave appropriately in the Licensed Standing in Seated Areas – anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated;
- Unless needing to use facilities, not move around in the Licensed Standing in Seated Areas and shall stay in the designated space only as described on the relevant ticket and according with (point 1 above);
- Not be permitted to stand in the gangways or on the steps in the Licensed Standing In Seated Areas to watch the Match and acknowledges that these are for accessing and leaving seats only;
Acknowledge that any failure to comply with the conditions in this clause/paragraph may lead to ticket holders being ejected from the Ground and/or the Club’s Sanction Policy being initiated, and the Ground may lose the right to maintain the Licensed Standing in Seated Areas.
Safe standing 2026/27
Please note that the Safe Standing area will be extended to include the following blocks:
- Block U14
- Block U37
- Block U38
- Block U39
- Block U40
- Block U15
- Block U16
- Block U17