Sunderland season ticket holders to be displaced by Newcastle United FA Cup allocation

The club confirmed the allocation for the Tyne Wear derby on Friday evening, with thousands of fans likely to be affected

For the FA Cup third round, Sunderland season ticket holders will not be seated in their customary seats as the club has stated that parts of the North Stand Upper and Lower would be occupied by Newcastle United’s designated away end.

The allocation given to the Magpies for the January 7 Tyne-Wear derby is 6,000, which falls short of the 15% capacity that the FA has mandated for the Stadium of Light.

As a result, supporters possessing a season ticket in the North Stand Lower will now have to find another seat, while away fans will be sitting on the Stadium of Light’s lower concourse for the first time since they were permanently relocated from the South Stand to the North Stand Upper in 2012.

The club confirmed: “Emirates FA Cup competition rules stipulate that the visiting Club shall have the right to claim up to 15% of all seats for which tickets are issued.

“It has been decided that NUFC would be allotted 6,000 tickets after extensive discussions with Northumbria Police, Newcastle United, the Sunderland and Newcastle Safety Advisory Groups, and others.

After that, away fans will be positioned in the North Stand Upper and North Stand Lower. We understand that this stadium arrangement will result in some season ticket holders being relocated.

“An agreement is in place with NUFC to replicate a 6,000-ticket away allocation should a replay be required at St James’ Park and following consultation with the Newcastle Safety Advisory Group and Northumbria Police, all parties are planning for this eventuality.”