Premier League club in talks to expand 49,000-seat stadium as £1bn development confirmed

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Last season, Sunderland were the Premier League’s surprise package. And the Black Cats are looking to capitalise on their momentum off the pitch.

After finishing 7th in 2025-26, Regis Le Bris’ side will play in the Europa League in 2026-27. It will be the first time that Sunderland have competed in Europe since 1973.

Sunderland moved from Roker Park to the Stadium of Light in 1997, meaning the 49,000-seater venue has never witnessed continental football.

Matchday income, especially at blue-chip occasions like European nights under the lights, is an increasingly important revenue stream for Premier League clubs.

While money through the turnstiles was, until relatively recently, considered the ugly duckling of a club’s three primary revenue sources (the other two being TV money and commercial), that is no longer the case.

The big Premier League clubs with loyal, locked-in fanbases are building new stadiums or expanding their existing grounds to be able to meet demand across the board. And for the very first time, matchday income across the Premier League last season exceeded £1bn.

Sunderland are the latest team to explore the possibility of increasing capacity at the Stadium of Light.

Speaking to City AM’s Matt Hardy this week, Sunderland chief executive Tom Burwell revealed that talks have been held about expanding.

“We have an opportunity with our stadium. We have 15,000 people on a waiting list [for season tickets], we have 54 boxes here and I have 45 boxes on the waiting list.

“I also have to recognise there’s revenue at the moment that’s in the middle of that table I’m not at this moment in time bringing [forward]. We have a great relationship with the council so there are opportunities and plans where we could explore building and improving our stadium.

“The question I have back – and I’ve discussed at length internally – is whether that is the best way of spending money.”

Earlier in the summer, Sunderland’s owners reportedly also circulated a pitch deck which suggested they were exploring the potential sale of the club.