Sunderland’s Stadium of Light is set for the latest phase of multi-million-pound development this summer, with safe standing to be introduced. 

The Championship club will add 2,000 standing spaces in the Roker End and 1,000 more in the North Upper Stand, while installing a new playing surface and under-soil heating system.

The Black Cats, who moved to the venue in 1997, claim the investment will have ‘a transformational impact on the matchday experience’.

Additionally, they aim to make the stadium the first in the United Kingdom to be 5G-enabled by 2025. 

Sunderland’s Stadium of Light is set for a multi-million-pound development in the summer

The club will look to add 3,000 safe standing spaces, which has been allowed since 2022

Chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus told the club’s official website: ‘Today, we’re delighted to announce that we are continuing a significant period of investment to develop the Stadium of Light, with the next phase set to complete before the start of the new season.

‘These upgrades signify a dramatic shift in our approach to matchday experience and each development will bring lasting benefits to our loyal supporters.

‘The improvements we are making will enhance matchday now and in the future and we can’t wait to experience them side by side with our fans when we return to the Stadium of Light for the new season.’

Sunderland’s capacity exceeds 49,000, making it the ninth-biggest ground in England. 

It has become a passionate home for their fans ever since their move from Roker Park in 1997. 

Clubs were told they could install rail seats in a landmark decision made in 2022. 

It ended the ban on standing areas at football stadiums, implemented in 1994 following the Hillsborough disaster.

The Stadium of Light is the ninth-biggest in England with a capacity exceeding 49,000

The ban on standing seats was lifted in 2022. Last season, fans had standing seats at Wembley for the first time in 35 years

There are now a total of more than 60,000 rail seats – enough to fill the Emirates Stadium – in the Premier League, an amount fans would not have thought possible even five years ago. 

Last season’s Carabao Cup final saw fans allowed to stand at the national stadium for the first time in 35 years. 

Ten Premier League sides – Brentford, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Wolves, Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Luton – have taken advantage, with some installing rail seats ahead of the start of last season and others working towards safe standing this campaign. 

Luton completed work on their safe standing area for home supporters earlier this month. 

Everton do not have rail seats at Goodison Park but have pledged to make them a part of the club’s future.