We turn over to another massive seven days in the SAFC calendar this week, as the Lionnesses come to town for their homecoming fixture versus Scotland.
This is your chance to get a full breakdown of events at the Club this week, find out more below.
Events:
It's looking like a sell-out crowd at the Stadium of Light for England Women's grand return to home soil after their World Cup adventures in Oceania. The two sides will kick off at 19:45 on Friday 22 September. If you haven't secured your ticket yet, limited numbers are still available via the England FA website. Almost 47,000 tickets have already been sold, so make sure to secure yours now.
Start planning your matchday today, with the matchday supporter guide.
Hospitality options still remain but there is limited availability, enquire via hospitality@safc.com to avoid disappointment. Only four 12-seater executive boxes are available, priced from £700+ VAT.
Our early bird offer for our range of Christmas events ends on Saturday 30 September. To take advantage, enquire about the full range of events via 0191 5515094 or by emailing events@safc.com.
Supporters are advised that we will be launching a new reusable cup system for draught products at the Cardiff game. Fans are encouraged to place their used cup in the dedicated bins so they can be washed and reused. At the end of the season, a donation will be made to the Foundation of Light based on the savings made by this activity, as a thank you to supporters for helping to make this initiative work.
Men's side:
It's a double-header this week for the Men's side, as the pace picks up for the 23/24 Championship season, following the recent international break and SAFC's away win over QPR.
Firstly, Mowbray's men round out back-to-back away trips with a midweek meeting with Blackburn Rovers. The game at Ewood Park kicks off at 19:45, on Wednesday 20 September. Tickets remain on sale. These come off sale at 14:00 on Tuesday 19 September, further information can be found here. Tony Mowbray's pre-match press conference will kick off at 1pm on Tuesday 19 September, so expect clips from this to be shared across club channels throughout the afternoon.
Attention will then turn to Sunday's 15:00 kick-off against Cardiff, rounding out a weekend of football at the Stadium of Light following Friday's England game. Ticket sales are once again trending positively ahead of what looks set to be a fantastic fixture, with the Lads looking to build on home form after their terrific 5-0 win over Southampton.
Tickets start from £32 for adults, £29 for over-65s, £24 for under-22s and £14 for under-16s. Get yours now.
Press will gather ahead of Sunday's home game on Friday 22 September, at 1pm.
Women's side:
The England Lionesses' trip to the SoL lines up with the rest of the women's games international break, meaning a number of SAFC Women's team have been selected to represent their nation.
Mary McAteer has been called up to Wales' squad. They travel to Iceland on Friday 22 September, before they host Denmark on Tuesday 26 September. Furthermore, Ellen Jones has also been called up to train with the Wales squad.
Grace Ede and Katy Watson have both been called up to England Under-19s, and Emily Cassap will be part of the Under-17 setup.
Liz Ejupi has also received a call-up to the Kosovo squad for their game against Bulgaria.
The SAFC Women's players will be attending the Lionesses’ game, attending the fan zones at the Beacon of Light and Keel Square to meet fans prior to the match.
Our Professional Game Academy team do travel to face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. The lasses next home game is against Watford, on Sunday 1 October, buy your tickets now.
Academy side:
Our U18 side will host Manchester United U18s this weekend at the Academy of Light, kicking off at 15:00 on Saturday 23 September.
Retail:
Our limited edition 23/24 3rd kit is now on sale, both online and in store. The neon yellow strip will stand out on away turf throughout the 23/24 campaign.
Ticketing:
A whole host of fixtures are on sale via our online platform as the games start coming thick and fast this season.
Tickets for our home fixture against Cardiff City on Sunday 24 September still remain, as well as places for our midweek meeting with Watford on Wednesday 4 October.
Last week, tickets went on sale for our local clash with Middlesborough, a fixture which is already selling well. The two sides meet on Saturday 7 October, kicking off earlier at 12:30. Make sure to secure your ticket early to avoid missing out, as this game is expected to pull a significant attendance. A purchase history pre-dating 22 June 2023 is required to attend this fixture.
On the road, tickets are still available for our trip to Blackburn Rovers in the midweek. These come off sale at 14:00 on Tuesday 19 September, further information can be found here.
Looking further ahead, Sheffield Wednesday host the Lads on Friday 29 September (20:00 KO). Tickets will be going on sale for this fixture in the coming week, find out more here.
Hospitality:
Hospitality for the game against Middlesborough is already sold out, so if you want to be in with a chance to see the new signings before the end of October, our games against Cardiff and Watford are your only opportunity.
There are a range of packages and sponsorships still available for these games.
View the full selection of sponsorships here.
Kevin Ball will return to the Stadium of Light this weekend for a memorable afternoon in the Montgomery Suite. The former club captain was named Sunderland AFC Player of the Year on multiple occasions, and claimed first division titles in both the 1996 and 1999 season. His nine year stint with the Club will surely hold a range of stories, with fans able to partake in a Q&A with the SAFC legend.
Fans also receive a whole host of benefits as part of the Montgomery Suite experience, including a match day tour of the stadium available to guests who arrive within the first 35 minutes of doors opening. Enquire with hospitality@safc.com today.
Foundation of Light:
The Foundation of Light have launched their new fundraising campaign - 'Heart on Your Sleeve' which aims to bring supporters together to live happier and healthier lives.
Recent studies have shown that health inequalities in the UK are getting worse, with the gap between the North East and the South of England worsening. People in our communities are living shorter lives; spending most of them in poor health. The Foundation wants to tackle these issues, encouraging parents and grandparents to stay both physically and mentally active to inspire the next generation to do the same. Through various initiatives and programmes and links with SAFC, the Foundation gives families the opportunity to access sports and fitness sessions, mental health resources and experience the facilities at the Beacon of Light community hub.
ITV's very own Vera was filming at the Beacon of Light last week, some Foundation staff were even recruited as extras. Keep an eye out for the episode, due to air in January!
Former SAFC Chairman Sir Bob Murray has a brand-new autobiography available 'I'd Do It All Again' all proceeds from the book, sharing stories from his life, including his 20 at years the club, will be going to the Foundation. The book is now available for pre-order.
Partnerships:
Over the last week our players collaborated with Utilita and their Football Rebooted campaign – Football’s biggest environmental movement. Keep your eyes peeled over the coming weeks for this exciting content to appear across our channels.