Stadium of Light ‘light’ years ahead digi tech

Article posted by Coliseum, July 26^th, 2024

Image: Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Mrs Logic, CC BY 2.0

The Championship team Sunderland A.F.C. is continuing to support fans following the introduction of digital ticketing at their home ground – the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England (UK).

‘SUNDERLAND AFC’ stated that implemented ahead of the 2023-2024 seasons, digital ticketing enhanced the matchday experience of the tens of thousands of supporters.

London (UK)-based the English Football League Championship, known simply as the Championship in England (UK) and for sponsorship purposes as the Sky Bet Championship, is the highest division of the English Football League (EFL) and the second highest overall in the English football league system, after the Premier League (the highest level of the English football league system), and is currently contested by 24 clubs.

London (UK)-based the English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales (UK). Founded in 1888 as the Football League, it is the oldest football league in the world, and was the top-level football league in England from its foundation until 1992 when the top 22 clubs split from it to form the Premier League. The Football League was rebranded as the ‘English Football League’ (EFL) from the 2016-2017 seasons.

The Sunderland Association Football Club is a professional football club based in the City of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England (UK). The club competes in the Championship, the second tier of English football.

The Stadium of Light is an all-seater football stadium in Sunderland, England (UK) and the eighth and current home to the Sunderland A.F.C. With space for 49,000 spectators, the Stadium of Light is the ninth largest football stadium in England. The stadium primarily hosts Sunderland A.F.C. home matches.

‘SUNDERLAND AFC’ further stated that the fans benefited from the improved convenience and security, instant ticket fulfillment and an easy-to-use digital ticket sharing platform.

In addition to the positive environmental impact, the turnstile flow rates also dramatically improved from just over 500 to nearly 700 per minute to reduce wait times when entering the stadium.

Ahead of the 2024-2025 seasons (kickoff set to take place over the weekend of August 10^th-11^th, 2024 with the regular League campaign ending on May 3^rd, 2025), the club is continuing to support fans in making the transition from cards to digital season tickets with more than 3,000 supporters already making the switch ahead of the new campaign.

The club has also partnered with a new card fulfillment partner and all cards will now be near field communication (NFC)-enabled to improve security after several incidents whereby cards were stolen, or barcodes were copied.

To ensure that all the new cards could be produced and tested prior to the start of the season a deadline to request a digital alternative was set and this has now passed.

Although many clubs attach a cost for the cards these have once again been provided to the Sunderland supporters free of charge where fans have a genuine need for an alternative.

All cards will be sent from July 29^th.

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