- What is the nearest train station to the Stadium of Light?
- Popular train routes to the Stadium of Light
- Buy your tickets to the Stadium of Light
- Hotels near the Stadium of Light
Catching the train to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland is often one of the easiest and most convenient ways of getting to this iconic ground. Sunderland FC's home lies close to different railway stations, making it a breeze for fans travelling across the country to catch a game. It's not just football, either. The stadium has hosted countless different events since it first opened in 1997, including major concerts by some of the biggest names in music.
Whether you’re going to cheer on your team or sing your heart out to your favourite pop star, this guide covers all you need to know about booking trains to the Stadium of Light. You'll find useful information about the best ways of getting from major cities, including London, as well as tips for where to stay and even how to book a stadium tour.
Photo by Arne Müseler
What is the nearest train station to the Stadium of Light?
The closest stations to the Stadium of Light are Sunderland, St Peter's, and Stadium of Light. Sunderland is a National Rail station with trains arriving from different parts of the country, while St Peter's and the Stadium of Light are both on the Tyne and Wear Metro line.
If you're travelling from other cities in the UK, you're best to travel to Sunderland’s National Rail station and walk from there to the stadium. It’s just a mile away, meaning you can get to the ground on foot in around 15-20 minutes. While St Peter's and Stadium of Light metro stations are closer (about a 10-minute walk), by the time you've changed lines to the metro and waited for the next train at Sunderland station, it's often quicker and easier to walk. Everything will be signposted so you can follow the crowds while enjoying the pre-match buzz.
Sunderland Station opens from 05:15 until 00:00 Monday to Saturday, and from 06:30 to 00:00 on Sundays. It’s run by Northern and offers accessible step-free access, refreshments and a waiting room.
To get to the Stadium of Light, head out onto Fawcett Street and take a left. Continue up the street—it changes names to Bridge Street—and follow the pedestrian and cycle path across the bridge towards St Peter's station. Then go left down Easington Street until you reach the Stadium of Light on Millennium Way. There may be diversions and crowd control measures in place on match days, so be sure to follow local instructions.
Popular train routes to the Stadium of Light
Leeds to the Stadium of Light
The train journey from Leeds to Sunderland's Stadium of Light takes between 2 hours and 2 hours and 30 minutes, with usually one change at Newcastle or Thornaby Station. Some routes go via York, too. If you're hardcore enough for the 05:43 departure, you'll arrive around 08:00 in Sunderland, giving you plenty of time to get in the football spirit before the game. The 09:16 departure from Leeds will get you in comfortably for an early kick-off, though, while the 12:08 works for a 3 pm first whistle.
If you plan to stick around after the game and let the crowds go down, the latest train to go from Sunderland to Leeds (changing in Newcastle) departs at 22:02. That means, if you're attending a concert, you may need to think about staying the night (see below for some of our best recommendations).
Fares for this 77-mile trip are good value, with the median price for a single around £30. When you book on Trip.com, split-ticket savings are automatically applied, meaning you could score Off Peak Single Advance fares for as low as £15. The main operators on this route are Northern, CrossCountry and TransPennine Express, with First Class usually available for those seeking extra comfort.
Buy train tickets from Leeds to the Stadium of Light
Sheffield to the Stadium of Light
If you're heading to the Stadium of Light for a football game or concert, trains from Sheffield to Sunderland are both frequent and affordable. You'll usually have one change in Newcastle with CrossCountry, while there are also services available with Northern via York. These operators offer First Class, with perks like added comfort and refreshments. The total travel time for this 100-mile journey varies depending on your crossover, but on average, you'll be travelling around 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Ticket prices fluctuate between £40 and £90 depending on what time of day you travel and how far in advance you book. You can often save by booking the Sheffield to Newcastle and Newcastle to Sunderland tickets separately, too. Luckily, Trip.com automatically applies this split-tickets discount for you, so you can find fares as low as £26 when booking in advance.
For those super-keen football fans who want to really soak up the pre-match atmosphere, the earliest 1-stop departure from Sheffield leaves at 07:21 and gets you to Sunderland at 10:01. You can stay in bed a little longer for an early kick-off, though (it’s the weekend, after all). The 08:22 departure out of Sheffield gets you into Sunderland for 11 am, giving you an hour and a half to walk to the ground and take your seats. 3 pm kick-off? Then, the 11:32 from Sheffield arrives at 13:59, so you’ll be in your seats comfortably for the first whistle.
Those heading to concerts will want to consider booking a place to stay in Sunderland. That's because the latest possible train to get back from Sunderland to Sheffield on the same night leaves at 20:33—and you'll still be watching the support act at that time.
Buy train tickets from Sheffield to the Stadium of Light
Manchester to the Stadium of Light
Getting from Manchester to the Stadium of Light is straightforward and takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes. The 100-mile trip sees regular departures throughout the day, meaning you're covered for football games in the afternoon and concerts at night. Just keep in mind that, if you're heading for an evening show, you'll need to spend the night—the latest possible departure to make it from Sunderland to Manchester on the same evening is at 21:29.
You'll usually change at York or Newcastle, though some routes go via Leeds or Thornaby. The earliest service leaves Manchester Piccadilly at 05:00, getting you into Sunderland at 08:29. If you don't fancy hanging around too long before the game starts, you can leave at 08:00 from Manchester Victoria. This will get you into Sunderland for 11:00, giving you an hour or so to get in the mood before an early kick-off.
TransPennine Express is the main operator for this route, but you'll also find services with CrossCountry and Avanti West Coast. Each offers First Class with the usual perks—complimentary refreshments, wider seats and quieter carriages. If you've got an Avanti West Coast First Class ticket, you can even use the lounge at Manchester Piccadilly before departure.
Fares vary depending on the route and operator, but singles hover around £30-35. Using split tickets, travelling off-peak and booking in advance can help you save. The great news is that Trip.com has these special prices built in, and you could grab single fares from as little as £24.
Buy train tickets from Manchester to the Stadium of Light
London to the Stadium of Light
Despite the 240 miles that separate the two cities, it's surprisingly easy to travel from London to Sunderland by train. Grand Central Railways runs a direct service from King's Cross to Sunderland that takes approximately 3 hours 15 minutes, meaning you can sit back and watch the countryside roll by, with no need to worry about changes.
The earliest direct train leaves King's Cross to Sunderland at 08:26 and gets in at 12:04. This just about gives you enough time to dash to the stadium and take your seats for an early match. If it's a later kick-off time, though, you'll have a leisurely few hours for lunch and to enjoy the pre-game atmosphere in town. The last service from Sunderland to London leaves at 19:27 and arrives at 22:52—just remember to plan your late-night public transport from King’s Cross.
There are only 5 to 6 direct services from the capital each day, so if you want a wider choice of departure times, consider travelling via another city. LNER (London North Eastern Railway) has a direct train from King's Cross to Newcastle with departures every 30 minutes. Then, Newcastle to Sunderland is just half an hour on the train, and there are as many as 6 departures per hour.
How much you'll pay depends on how far in advance you book, your departure time and whether you have a railcard. Fares are approximately £50 to £80, although you can bag special deals on Trip.com from just £45. First Class is available on both Grand Central and LNER, with comforts like complimentary drinks and more space available.
Buy train tickets from London to Stadium of Light
Photo by Les Hull
Buy your tickets to the Stadium of Light
You don't have to be a Sunderland FC fan to take the Stadium of Light tour—anyone who loves the beautiful game will have a blast. You'll get a sneak peek around the ground, learn about the club's history, and even catch a glimpse of the trophies.
Hotels near the Stadium of Light
For evening concerts and late kick-offs, you'll want to consider booking a hotel in Sunderland, especially if you've come from far away. That's because, by the time your event has finished, the last train has long left. Fortunately, though, you'll find a huge selection of places to stay close to the Stadium of Light at some of the best prices on Trip.com. Here's a selection of some of the closest hotels to the stadium:
