Safe Standing extension

[one footed wonder]

should this info been disclosed before season tickets went on sale for next season.
fortunately I am in L17, so does not affect me, but let people know. @Becs

It was part of the overall season ticket launch yesterday wasn’t it?

Admittedly I had problems finding it via the link they gave but it was clearly highlighted, or do you mean much earlier in advance with a guide on what to do if safe standing isn’t for you?

I'm hearing that anyone who remains seated in the standing section will be subject to a 3 match ban.

Relegated to phase 5 for away tickets and not allowed to leave early


Glad they’ve extended it to our area as we are right on the current boundary u40 and literally the next seats beside the south stand.

With standing in the south we had to stand to see the ball at times near the corner flag had a chat with a steward previously who wanted us to sit down.

I’d not paid for a restricted view so told him politely I would be standing, even said I’d be happy to discuss it with the club…..glad they’ve addressed it.

 

[soapster]

It was part of the overall season ticket launch yesterday wasn’t it?

Admittedly I had problems finding it via the link they gave but it was clearly highlighted, or do you mean much earlier in advance with a guide on what to do if safe standing isn’t for you?

I have no problem with safe standing at all and luckily enough the new safe standing does not affect me. I stopped going to away games years ago because I cannot stand throughout a game. parts of the game at SOL I miss because I have difficulty in getting from seating position to standing. le fees penalty is an example. waited for the crowd reaction.

so standing is not an option for me, so I need a seat in an appropriate place.
as you so kindly put it, a guide on what to do if safe standing isnt for me.
some provision would be nice. last thing people in my position need is to have to go to the ticket office, and stand for 2 hours to get served

 

[Chucky Puddin]

Disappointed that it’s not the full south stand personally

 

[brain_stew]

Disappointed that it’s not the full south stand personally

Yep, I understand why they've done it with this previously being a family section but the majority of the kids in that section are now teenagers. We got our niece her first ticket in there when it was free for under 8s, she's now in the under 18 category. There's loads in the same boat and there's not very many young kids in there anymore.

I get that the SWC and extending it forward was the easier option, but hopefully this is just the first phase of expanding it and we get the full upper tier of the south stand done next season.

It's not great for those of us just on the edge of it, as you get no benefit and it restricts your view. At least if it comes to a natural end on a corner there's less impact on those in the next block.

 

[MickeyV]

For those, like me, on their 70s or young'uns, it is possible to sit in a safe- standing area, which is useful at half-time or if there are extended injuries.
Problem is you can see nowt down there in the beery farts!

 

[w73]

Why not? Of course it should have, it's quite a big change without giving clear notice. Some people will find it difficult to stand for 90 minutes every week. It should have been made clearer IMO.

I know the majority stand in those areas now already. But some people might still buy a ticket on the assumption that it's still a seating area.

I agree. It's unreasonable to designate somewhere as safe standing without giving people a chance to relocate. I'm in safe standing by choice, the same choice should apply to others.

 

[Tongey]

Would be difficult given the location of the Wheelchair spaces to 'authorise' standing in the lower section, I see it every match in the South stand where someone constantly stands in front of a wheelchair user and they have to constantly be looking around him.

Think I remember seeing something about wheelchair spaces being upgraded in the last meeting minutes, unless im remembering incorrectly. So could be that they are being moved elsewhere then safe standing might be possible in lower tiers

 

[JPS]

Think I remember seeing something about wheelchair spaces being upgraded in the last meeting minutes, unless im remembering incorrectly. So could be that they are being moved elsewhere then safe standing might be possible in lower tiers

That would free up the lower sections to be converted to rails

I remember reading that’s the reason why we haven’t made the upgradee

Can’t be that many to relocate

 

[Geppetto]

Great news. Extend it all over the ground so everyone can stand and sing in happy unison.

So the people that sit in those blocks should not have been made aware prior to season ticket renewals that they seats were now going to be safe standing?

They stand anyway, what difference does it make?

 

[League Wan]

Taken from the Sunderland Website

Ahead of the 2026-27 season, we will be extending and enhancing the safe standing provision across the Stadium of Light.

Following feedback from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, alongside results from our 2024-25 supporter survey, we are introducing additional rail seating in areas where supporters regularly stand without safety rails.

Looking at the link it mentions these blocks are safe standing
Safe standing blocks are:
1. Block U14
2. Block U37
3. Block U38
4. Block U39
5. Block U40
6. Block U15
7. Block U16
8. Block U17

Do we think all seats in these blocks will be safe standing now?

Hope it doesn't extend to u13, I like sitting down watching the match at home,plus the bairn can see instead of standing on a chair

 

[Spelthorne mackem]

The old

The east stand and premier concourse should be for the old bores not behind the goals

bores who ran the gauntlet away in the 70’s and 80’s when times were “interesting “

 

[Guinness Guzzler]

Why not? Of course it should have, it's quite a big change without giving clear notice. Some people will find it difficult to stand for 90 minutes every week. It should have been made clearer IMO.

I know the majority stand in those areas now already. But some people might still buy a ticket on the assumption that it's still a seating area.

It's a difficult one for them like. On the one hand I expect most people there will be happy with it. I'm in the north stand and I'd like it to become standing eventually, two standing ends behind the goal would be mint. But equally can understand why some won't be happy because it's being imposed in the SWC now, right when there's virtually no chance to move groups of seats anywhere else if you don't want to be standing

 

[Tmm24]

Great news. Extend it all over the ground so everyone can stand and sing in happy unison.

They stand anyway, what difference does it make?

Not everyone there stands granted yes a lot do but rather than just dropping it on people as season ticket renewals start they should of at least given them a heads up so people could make an informed choice

 

[Blyth]

Whilst I think it’s good news I also think there’s gonna be some arguments going on with people who usual sit down now having to stand cos someone stands in front of them.

 

[sponge]

I’m in the west stand currently, in line with the south stand 18 yard box, when we can change seats I’m going to see if I can get in the standing area in south west corner.

 

[viccarlton]

As ever there are many fans that want what they want and don’t care about anyone else, these people advocating the changes to *safe* standing do they not consider older fans or those with kids that wouldn’t be able to see the game being stood behind some adult?
Will the opportunity for anyone who doesn’t want to stand behind someone be given the opportunity to move given large amount of season ticket holders we have.

 

[Roker-73]

As ever there are many fans that want what they want and don’t care about anyone else, these people advocating the changes to *safe* standing do they not consider older fans or those with kids that wouldn’t be able to see the game being stood behind some adult?
Will the opportunity for anyone who doesn’t want to stand behind someone be given the opportunity to move given large amount of season ticket holders we have.

Yes. Of course they would

 

[sponge]

As ever there are many fans that want what they want and don’t care about anyone else, these people advocating the changes to *safe* standing do they not consider older fans or those with kids that wouldn’t be able to see the game being stood behind some adult?
Will the opportunity for anyone who doesn’t want to stand behind someone be given the opportunity to move given large amount of season ticket holders we have.

What are you thinking, everyone is allowed to swap seats except those in the south west corner who have had safe standing thrown upon them ?

 

[Roker-73]

What are you thinking, everyone is allowed to swap seats except those in the south west corner who have had safe standing thrown upon them ?

Boomers whinging as ever.

 

[oddbod]

See post #19 by Weststand as it's got the new safe standing that shows it's now all of U37 along with all the other front rows.

This year is on the left and next year is on the right showing the front rows now standing along with the south east corner.

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Unless there is a natural break (steps) in u14 its madness not to do a whole block as folk at the upper end of u14 (if have to sit,i know they dont but rules)where the sitting meets the standing it will be difficult for those sitting to see the action near the left corner flag.