Top Tip
Fans planning to travel on intercity train services should book their travel in advance to ensure that they can book seats on their desired service and to secure advance tickets at the most affordable rate. Tickets can be purchased from 12 weeks prior to the date of travel. To book visit the National Rail website
Station: Sunderland
Distance from Stadium: 0.9 miles (Approx 20 minutes’ walk)
Destinations served: Destinations include London, Newcastle and York
Frequency of services: Varies by route but usually one per hour
Step free access is available at Sunderland station
Be Aware!
Please note that last intercity services of the day to most UK cities will have left Sunderland Station prior to the conclusion of the match on Friday 22nd August. Please make sure to check timings of last services before booking your travel and consider staying the night in Sunderland to enjoy everything the city has to offer over a weekend.
Station: St Peters and Stadium of Light
Distance from Stadium: 0.3 miles and 0.4 miles respectively
Line: Green – South Hylton to Newcastle Airport
Other destinations served: Include Newcastle Central Station and Gateshead
Frequency of service: Every 12 minutes
Price: These vary depend on where you are travelling from. All tickets can be bought at Metro stations.
After the match if travelling Northbound it is recommended to use Stadium of Light Metro station, if travelling Southbound it is recommended to use St. Peter’s Metro station.
Nexus metro services from both stations are wheelchair accessible.
Be Aware!
Metro services from Newcastle are likely to be busy before the match due to rush hour commuters heading home. Beat the crowds and head to the Fan Zone in Keel Square nice and early to enjoy the pre-match atmosphere.
Spectators should expect long queues at both metro stations post-match. Fans should be patient, follow directional signage and listen to instructions from stewards and station staff.
Spectators intending to park at Metro stations and make their way to the stadium by Metro are not encouraged to do so at stations to the North of Sunderland. Services from and to stations to the North of Sunderland are expected to be very busy both prior to and following the match at Stadium of Light.
Bus stop(s): Southwick Road-Howard Street, near to The Colliery Tavern
Routes served: Include 35, 36 and 56 serving Jarrow bus station, Newcastle Market Street and Sunderland City Centre
Frequency: Between one and five per hour depending on route
Price: Single fares capped at £2.50
Buses operating from these stops are wheelchair accessible.
A dedicated walking route links our city centre Fan Zone at Keel Square to the stadium, crossing the new Wear Footbridge and takes approximately 5 minutes. Follow our Rugby World Cup branded directional signage and directions from our volunteers to make your way to Stadium of Light.
Wayfinding signage also links Sunderland train station to Keel Square in just under 10 minutes’ walk.
Please note that there is no spectator parking available at Stadium of Light. The limited number of accessible parking spaces available at the stadium are now sold out.
Spectators requiring accessible parking should consult the Match Day Shuttle section below which details the fully accessible shuttle services that will be available on match day.
Drivers should make sure to closely follow directions shared in their booking confirmation and make sure to display their parking pass in their vehicle windscreen as instructed.
Sunderland has a number of city centre car parks that can be pre-booked as well as those that can be paid for on the day from where fans can take the short walk to Stadium of Light. Parking can be pre-booked via Sunderland City Council’s Parking Portal. Full details of all parking available in the city centre can be found on the Sunderland City Council website.
Be Aware!
Fans that are planning to drive to Sunderland should be aware that there will be local road closures in place on match day, including on St Mary’s Road in the city centre. Congestion can be expected around rush hour as a result and fans are urged to allow plenty of time for their journey and should consider whether their journey can be undertaken via another mode of transport to avoid the traffic.
Resident parking schemes are in place in the area around the stadium. Vehicles parked in surrounding streets without the correct permits are liable to receive a fixed penalty notice.
Spectators intending to park at Metro stations and make their way to the stadium by Metro are not encouraged to do so at stations to the North of Sunderland. Services from and to stations to the North of Sunderland are expected to be very busy both prior to and following the match at Stadium of Light.
A small allocation of private coach and minibus parking are available at the stadium in Blue car park.
Coach and minibus parking must be booked in advance. Parking can be pre-booked on the official Rugby World Cup 2025 parking website. Coach and minibus parking will not be available to book on the day so do make sure to book yours in advance.
Drivers should make sure to closely follow directions shared in their booking confirmation and make sure to display their parking pass in their vehicle windscreen as instructed.
A match day shuttle is in operation with various pickup points along Wessington Way / Alexandria Avenue.
Pre-match pick up location: Existing bus stops along Wessington Way
Pre-match drop off location: Kier Hardie Way opposite The Beacon of Light
Post-match pick up location: Kier Hardie Way outside The Beacon of Light
Journey time: 5-10 minutes depending upon stop used
Operating hours: 90 minutes before kick-off until 1 hour after final whistle
Frequency of service: Every 10 minutes
Price: Free of charge for ticketholders
All match day shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible.
Fans looking to travel to Stadium of Light by taxi or rideshare should instruct drivers to drop off/pick up on Monk Street / Wearmouth Street.
Geo-fencing is in place around Stadium of Light on match days which limits the locations that rideshare apps can drop off and pick up .
The closest taxi ranks are located on Union Street, Brougham Street and popular rideshare apps operate in Sunderland.
