Sunderland AFC, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest and most decorated clubs in English football history. With six First Division titles and two FA Cup wins, the Black Cats have long been a symbol of working-class pride in the North East. After a painful slide that saw them fall from the Premier League all the way down to League One, the club has undergone a dramatic transformation — and in 2025, they finally earned their long-awaited return to the Premier League.
Playing at the Stadium of Light, a 49,000-seat arena built on the site of a former coal mine, Sunderland is rooted in local identity and resilience. Their fanbase remains one of the most loyal and passionate in England — even during the club’s darkest years, they were among the best-attended teams outside the top tier.
Under a new ownership model focused on sustainability and youth development, Sunderland has rebuilt its squad with hungry, technically skilled players. The club is now seen as a model for how to bounce back without sacrificing identity. And of course, the Tyne–Wear derby against Newcastle United — one of the most intense rivalries in British football — is once again on the Premier League calendar.
