Travel restrictions for Wear-Tyne derby

11 December 2025

Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria

Sunderland last met Newcastle United in the 2024 FA Cup third round

Reuters An action shot during Sunderland v Newcastle United in the 2024 FA Cup third round. Sunderland full back Trai Hume, wearing a red and white striped shirt with the number 32, has his back to the camera. In his right had he holds little more than a thread of winger Anthony Gordon's black and white striped shirt. That thread is tearing from the bottom of Gordon's shirt as he moves away from Hume. Other players and a section of crowd at the Stadium of Light are blurred in the background. — Sunderland last met Newcastle United in the 2024 FA Cup third round

Travel restrictions will be in place for the return of one of English football's most fiercely contested rivalries.

Sunderland host Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday at 14:00 GMT, marking their first top flight clash in almost a decade.

Between 10:00 and kick-off, Tyne and Wear Metro trains travelling southbound towards the match will not stop at Stadium of Light station, while Metro trains travelling northbound from South Hylton will not stop at St. Peter's station.

After the game, home fans will be released first and those wanting to use the Metro will be escorted to the Stadium of Light station. Then, away fans will be directed to St. Peter's.

Fans travelling on the southbound Metro before the match have been asked to use St Peter's or trains heading towards Newcastle.

Northern also warned that trains would be busier before and after the game.

"If not heading to the game, you may want to travel outside these times," a spokesperson said.

Stagecoach buses encouraged supporters to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.

Previous derbies between the two North East teams have seen significant disorder.

Sunderland confirmed there were no plans for Sunday's clash to be classified as a "bubble match", unlike 2024's FA Cup tie which saw strict travel controls on Newcastle supporters.

However, Northumbria Police said a "large proportion" of away fans would be transported via coach to the stadium.

Before the match, southbound Metro trains will not stop at the Stadium Light

Nexus A bright yellow and black Metro train pulled up at he Stadium of Light station. The walls of the platform are made up of red and white panels with the Sunderland crest on one them. — Before the match, southbound Metro trains will not stop at the Stadium Light

Officers said the closures were put in place to "ensure the safety of both sets of fans and the wider public", and there would be a "much larger police presence around the ground than usual".

Assistant Ch Con Helena Barron said an "overwhelming majority" of supporters would be going to enjoy the occasion.

"However, we want to make it clear to anyone who is intent on using the game as an excuse to cause trouble that this will not be tolerated," she said.

Metro operator Nexus added that Magpie Mover tickets would not be valid for this match.