Buy Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest tickets for the 2026/27 Season, with the match set for Saturday 12 December 2026 and kick-off listed for 15:00 UK time, which is 19:00 in the UAE, at the Stadium of Light. It is the mid-December round of Premier League fixtures, and Sunderland will want a response to what happened the last time Forest came north.
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The Stadium of Light has become one of the harder tickets in the north-east. Sunderland came up through the play-offs in 2025, finished seventh in their first season back and qualified for Europe for the first time in more than half a century, which turned a big ground with a big season ticket base into a near sell-out every week.
Sales through Sunderland run through season ticket holders and members long before any general sale, and for a Saturday fixture in December there is usually little left. The resale market is where most visitors and overseas buyers find a seat, with the stand and delivery method shown before you pay. This guide covers pricing, seating, hospitality, delivery and the short history between these clubs in the Premier League.
Revenge is part of it. The clubs' only previous Premier League meeting at this ground finished 5-0 to the visitors in April 2026, one of the heaviest home defeats of Sunderland's return season. The home crowd has had eight months to think about that.
The visitors are no small draw either. Nottingham Forest were founded in 1865, won the league in 1978 and then the European Cup in 1979 and 1980, and their travelling support is among the more committed in the division. Their allocation in the North Stand upper tier is around 3,000 and it sells out for a trip of this distance.
Sunderland's own season shapes demand more than anything. European football returned to Wearside for the first time in over 50 years, and the crowds have followed: the ground holds around 49,000 and fills close to that most weeks, which leaves little spare for buyers who are not season ticket holders.
Timing helps as well. This is one of the last home fixtures before Christmas, a weekend when families and returning students swell the crowd and the city is busy from mid-morning.
The ground is also part of the draw. Built on a former colliery site and opened in 1997, the Stadium of Light is one of the largest club grounds in England, with a steep North Stand and, since the summer of 2026, rail seating behind one goal and in a corner of the ground.
Supply is the last factor. A big capacity sounds like plenty of tickets, but the season ticket base absorbs most of it, and a Saturday afternoon in December is exactly the sort of date that sells out well in advance.
Noise at the Stadium of Light comes in waves rather than constantly. The ground is wide and open at the corners, so it takes a goal or a long spell of pressure to bring the whole bowl together, and when it does the effect carries. Sunderland's crowd has a reputation built on volume in the big moments rather than singing from first whistle to last, and the arrival of rail seating in the Roker End has concentrated the loudest support behind one goal. Buyers who want that side of the day should look there first and accept that they will be standing for most of the ninety minutes.
Through the club, rarely. Sunderland sell in phases, with season ticket holders first, then members, then any remaining seats to the wider public. For most home fixtures this season, the public phase has been small or has not opened at all.
Membership carries an annual fee and does not guarantee a seat. Since promotion, demand has outstripped what the club can release, so buying a membership in the autumn rarely gets you into a December fixture.
Buying direct also requires an account, personal details and in many cases a purchase history to reach the front of the queue. Visitors from abroad planning a single trip almost never meet those conditions.
Forest supporters go through their own club for the away allocation, which is issued on loyalty points. Casual fans of the visitors are unlikely to get through that route for a fixture this far from Nottingham.
The 1BoxOffice marketplace is the practical alternative. You can compare stands, confirm the delivery method and see whether seats are together before paying, without a membership number or a loyalty balance. Every order is backed by the money-back guarantee.
One point to keep in mind: seats bought this way sit in home areas of the ground. Visiting supporters who want to be among their own fans should go through Forest, while neutrals and Sunderland fans have the wider choice.
Five drivers shape prices for this fixture. Seat location sets the base, with central seats along the sides priced above the ends. Demand is high because supply through the club is so limited. Timing matters, as listings thin out in the final fortnight, while competition context and the club's hospitality tiers shape the top of the market for the 2026/27 season.
| Ticket Type | Resale Price Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper tier / behind the goal | £70 – £130 | Budget-conscious visitors | Elevated view of the whole pitch and the Wear beyond the ground |
| Longside standard | £110 – £190 | Couples and first-time visitors | Seats along the touchline with a balanced view |
| Lower tier / central | £160 – £280+ | Fans who want to feel close to the action | Limited supply; lists quickly |
| Premium seating | £240 – £420+ | Couples and small groups after comfort | Padded central seats with indoor access |
| Hospitality / VIP | £350 – £1,200+ | Corporate guests and special occasions | Lounge or box access with food and drinks |
Prices reflect typical resale ranges and may change as demand and availability shift closer to the match.
This fixture trades below Sunderland's home games against Newcastle United, Liverpool or Manchester City, which makes it one of the more affordable ways into a ground that is difficult to get into at all. Pairs are easier to find than blocks of four or more.
December on the north-east coast is a factor in seat choice as well as price. The upper rows catch the wind off the river, while seats lower down and towards the middle of the sides are more sheltered, and that is worth a few pounds to many buyers.
The ground opened in 1997 on the site of the old Monkwearmouth colliery and was expanded in 2000, when a second tier was added to the North Stand. It holds around 49,000, which makes it one of the largest club grounds in the country. Before choosing a block, study the Stadium of Light seating plan so you know which stand and tier you are buying into.
The four stands are the Jimmy Montgomery Stand along one side, the East Stand opposite with its Premier Concourse lower tier, the North Stand behind one goal and the Roker End behind the other, named after the club's former home. Rail seating was installed in the Roker End and the south-west corner in the summer of 2026. Our guide to Stadium of Light tickets covers the ground in more depth.
| Area | What It Suits | Pricing Bracket | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roker End | Committed Sunderland supporters | Lower to mid | The noisier home end, now with rail seating. Expect standing for long spells |
| Jimmy Montgomery Stand | Neutral buyers and premium guests | Mid to high | Main side of the ground, closest to the lounges and the dugouts |
| East Stand | Couples and regular fans | Mid | Opposite side with a clear view of the Roker End |
| North Stand lower | Budget-conscious buyers | Lower | Behind the goal beneath the away section; good value with a straight view |
| Upper tiers (sides) | First-time visitors | Lower to mid | Steep rows with a full view of team shape; exposed to the wind in winter |
| Away section | Nottingham Forest supporters | Rarely on resale | North Stand upper tier, around 3,000 places, with a separate entrance. Visiting colours belong there only |
Neutral buyers should aim for the East Stand or the North Stand lower tier, where the view is good and the crowd is mixed. Keep Forest colours out of sight anywhere in the home areas, and treat the Roker End as a standing section in practice whatever your ticket says.
Families tend to do better in the East Stand or the upper rows along the sides, where the crowd is calmer. Accessible places and companion seats are spread around the ground, and buyers who need step-free access should confirm the exact block and entrance with the seller before ordering.
Sightlines are consistent around the ground because the bowl was designed in one piece rather than built up in stages, so there are no supporting pillars to work around. What varies is exposure. The stadium sits on open ground above the Wear, and the upper rows along both sides catch the wind off the coast, which matters on a December afternoon. Rows in the middle third of any tier give you height without the worst of the weather, and the roof covers most of the seating but not the front rows closest to the pitch.
Sunderland's hospitality runs through the west side of the ground, with lounges, executive boxes and a banqueting suite built into the main stand. Demand has risen sharply since promotion, so packages that once stayed available into matchweek now sell out well ahead.
| Hospitality Option | Typical Buyer | Main Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Premium seat with lounge access | Fans upgrading their day | Padded central seat and a warm indoor base before kick-off |
| Lounge package | Couples and small groups | Pre-match dining and a served bar at half-time |
| Banqueting suite package | Corporate guests | Full dining with a prime seat on the main side |
| Executive box | Companies and larger parties | Private space, catering and a view over the pitch |
Inclusions vary by package and by fixture, and the December dates are usually the first to go because of end-of-year corporate bookings. Read the listing details carefully, since arrival times, menus and dress codes differ between products.
For visitors travelling a long way, hospitality is the surest way to guarantee seats together in a ground where general sale rarely opens. It also gives you somewhere warm before a cold kick-off on the coast.
Book hospitality in the name of the person attending where the package allows it, since lounge entry is usually tied to a named guest list rather than a transferable ticket. Ask about arrival windows before you commit, because pre-match dining at grounds of this size typically starts two to three hours before kick-off and a late arrival can mean missing the meal you paid for. Parking is included with some packages and not with others, which is worth confirming with the seller if you plan to drive up the A19.
Delivery depends on how the seller received their tickets from the club. Each listing shows the method before you buy, so there are no surprises after payment.
| Delivery Type | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Mobile ticket | Transfer timing, the app or wallet needed and that your phone is compatible |
| E-ticket (PDF) | That the name and seat details match your order and that you can print or display it |
| Paper ticket | The courier method, the delivery address and the expected arrival date |
| Collection point | The exact location, opening times and the ID you need to bring |
Premier League clubs have moved almost entirely to digital entry, so expect a mobile ticket in most cases. Charge your phone fully before you set off, download the ticket in advance and bring valid photo ID in case stewards ask for it.
Getting there is straightforward. The Metro serves the ground directly, with stops at Stadium of Light and St Peter's, and the walk from Sunderland city centre takes around fifteen minutes across the bridge. A free park-and-ride operates on matchdays, with buses running every few minutes from an hour and a half before kick-off.
Arrive early. The streets around the ground fill from about two hours before kick-off, security searches take time and the Metro platforms are busy in both directions. Leaving on foot towards the centre is usually quicker than queueing for a train.
Driving takes more planning than the train. Public parking at the ground is limited and the residential streets nearby operate permit schemes on matchdays, so most drivers use the park-and-ride sites off the A19 or leave the car in the city centre and walk across the bridge. Sunderland railway station sits in the middle of town with direct services from Newcastle and Middlesbrough, and the Metro runs from the same station to the ground in a few minutes. After the final whistle, taxis wait on the main roads rather than at the stadium gates.
Sellers often release digital tickets in the final days before a match, since clubs issue them late to limit touting. If your order shows a later delivery date, that is normal. Keep your confirmation email handy and follow progress through your account.
Buying through 1BoxOffice, a verified marketplace established in 2006 with a 150% money-back guarantee, takes just a few minutes.
Step1
Find the fixture
Search for Sunderland against Nottingham Forest and open the event listing for 12 December 2026 to see every available seat.
Step2
Set up your account
Create an account with your name, email address and phone number so order updates reach you quickly.
Step3
Choose your quantity
Select how many seats you need so the listings only show options that suit your group.
Step4
Compare stands and prices
Use the stadium map to compare the East Stand, the North Stand lower tier and the upper rows against your budget.
Step5
Read the listing notes
Confirm the delivery method, any restrictions and whether the seats are guaranteed together.
Step6
Enter guest details
Add the names of everyone attending exactly as they appear on their photo ID.
Step7
Pay securely
Complete payment through the encrypted payment page and look out for your order confirmation email.
Step8
Follow your order
Use track order to follow delivery progress until your tickets arrive before matchday.
Newcastle Airport is the closest, around 40 minutes away on the Metro with a change, and Newcastle Central Station is about 25 minutes by train from Sunderland. Mobile tickets and e-tickets are the simplest choice for international buyers, since they arrive digitally wherever you are. Paper tickets can be sent to a hotel where the listing allows it, so confirm the address and timing before ordering.
Premier League kick-off times move for television, usually with around six weeks' notice, so treat the listed time as provisional and book flexible travel where possible. Visitors from the Gulf should note that a 15:00 kick-off in England equals 19:00 in the UAE, and that a switch to Sunday or to an evening slot is possible. Groups should filter for seats together from the start and read the listing notes to confirm they are guaranteed side by side.
Plenty of visitors stay in Newcastle and travel down on the Metro, which runs frequently and drops you at the ground. Sunderland itself has a smaller hotel stock but a walkable centre and a seafront at Roker worth an hour on a clear day. Forest supporters face a journey of around 200 miles, so the away end is made up of the club's regular travellers.
These clubs have met only once in the Premier League at this ground, which is below the threshold for a venue-only record, so the figures below cover all Premier League meetings between them at any venue. There have been four, spread across two seasons almost thirty years apart.
The first pair came in 1996/97, the only season both were in the division in the 1990s. Sunderland won 4-1 at the City Ground in August 1996 and drew 1-1 at Roker Park the following March, in what turned out to be the last season at the old ground. Both clubs were relegated that year.
The sides did not meet again in the league until 2025/26, after Sunderland came up through the play-offs. Sunderland won 1-0 at the City Ground in September 2025, then lost 5-0 at home in April 2026, the heaviest result in the series and the reason this December fixture carries an edge for the home crowd.
What makes the fixture interesting now is that both clubs have changed shape since 2025. Sunderland are a European side again, while Forest finished 16th last season after a much stronger campaign the year before. The 5-0 is the outlier in a series that has otherwise been close.
All Premier League meetings between Sunderland and Nottingham Forest at any venue, from August 1996 to April 2026.
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 4 |
| Sunderland wins | 2 |
| Nottingham Forest wins | 1 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Sunderland goals | 6 |
| Nottingham Forest goals | 7 |
| Biggest Sunderland win | 4-1 |
| Biggest Nottingham Forest win | 5-0 |
| First Premier League meeting in scope | 21 Aug 1996 |
| Most recent meeting in scope | 24 Apr 2026 |
Both of the big scorelines came away from home, and the two tightest results came at the grounds where the sides were defending a point. With such a small sample, the record says less about December than the 49,000 people who will be inside the ground.
Four matches is a thin sample and it should be read that way. The pattern that does stand out is that every decisive result went to the visiting side: Sunderland won 4-1 and 1-0 at the City Ground, Forest won 5-0 on Wearside, and the only meeting to finish level was the 1-1 at Roker Park. Thirteen goals in four games makes this a series that has rarely been quiet, although half of those matches came in a season that ended with both clubs relegated.
Figures calculated from the match-by-match results below, cross-referenced against Premier League match records and published match reports.
Each Premier League meeting at either venue, newest first, with the home team's score shown first.
| Date | Home | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Apr 2026 | Sunderland | 0-5 | Stadium of Light |
| 27 Sep 2025 | Nottingham Forest | 0-1 | City Ground |
| 22 Mar 1997 | Sunderland | 1-1 | Roker Park |
| 21 Aug 1996 | Nottingham Forest | 1-4 | City Ground |
Results verified against Premier League match records and published match reports. The clubs shared the top flight in 1996/97 and again from 2025/26, with Sunderland's home matches moving from Roker Park to the Stadium of Light in 1997.
As early as you can, because general sale through the club rarely opens and resale listings thin out in the final fortnight.
Visiting supporters are housed in the upper tier of the North Stand, and Forest colours should not be worn in the home stands.
Yes, rail seating was installed behind one goal and in a corner of the ground in the summer of 2026, so expect standing in those blocks.
Take the Metro one stop to Stadium of Light or St Peter's, or walk across the bridge in around fifteen minutes.
Yes, buyers anywhere can order online, with digital delivery the simplest choice for anyone travelling into Newcastle.
Sources: Sunderland AFC official club and stadium information, Nottingham Forest club information, Premier League fixture list and match records for 2026/27, 11v11 and ESPN match archives, plus published Stadium of Light stadium data.