Sunderland’s home crowds ranked against Premier League rivals after memorable return | OneFootball

Sunderland’s Stadium of Light was regularly sold out during a memorable Premier League return, and their home crowds stacked up impressively against the rest.

The tone was set on opening day with a deserved win over West Ham United, Dan Ballard, Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor on target. According to Sunderland Echo, the Black Cats averaged 46,828 at home in 2025/26, the league’s eighth highest.

Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United were beaten on Wearside, while Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa were held to draws. The noise rarely dipped.

There was a final flourish as Regis Le Bris’ side blew away Chelsea, then celebrated when results elsewhere confirmed Europa League football. It made them only the second Sunderland team to reach Europe and the first since Bob Stokoe’s 1973 FA Cup winners, with AC Milan, Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen and Olympique Marseille among next season’s opponents.

Manchester United led the average attendances with 73,975. Tottenham Hotspur recorded 61,006, Liverpool 60,389 and Arsenal 60,217.

Manchester City were at 52,640, Newcastle United 52,161 and Everton 52,132. Aston Villa posted 41,977, Chelsea 39,602 and Leeds United 36,695.

Further down were Brighton 31,383, Nottingham Forest 30,425, Coventry City 30,290, Ipswich Town 28,303, Fulham 27,203, Crystal Palace 24,925, Hull City 21,535, Brentford 17,126 and Bournemouth 11,175.

Source: Sunderland Echo