SUNDERLAND (July 2, 2025) — Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce a landmark partnership with Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and foodservice management, as the club’s new premium hospitality provider at the Stadium of Light – marking a new era in matchday and event experiences for supporters.
Delaware North arrives on Wearside with an exceptional track record of delivering premium hospitality experiences at some of the world’s most iconic sporting venues. In the United Kingdom, this includes Emirates Stadium, London Stadium and Wembley Stadium.
Globally, Delaware North operates hospitality and merchandise services at more than 50 major venues. These include the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, Busch Stadium (home of the St. Louis Cardinals), Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers) and MetLife Stadium (New York Giants and New York Jets). The company also owns and operates all aspects of TD Garden in Boston, home of both the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics.
The long-term agreement will see Delaware North collaborate with SAFC to produce exceptional food and beverage offerings and elevated services across matchdays, concerts and events throughout the Club’s general admission (GA) and premium spaces.
Building on last summer’s stadium developments, this will be led by a significant seven-figure investment in the Club’s concourse spaces – the most in this area since the Stadium of Light opened in 1997 – to further reaffirm SAFC’s commitment to delivering the best matchday and event experiences for all supporters.
Ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season, this will feature refurbished concourse environments and enhancements to the food and beverage offering, including a wider selection of beers and collaborations with local vendors, underpinned by new technology to significantly increase the speed and quality of service.
From the concourses to the stadium’s most exclusive premium spaces, including the Banks on the Wear and 76 Yards experiences, which will see Michelin star chef and Sunderland fan Tommy Banks take centre stage, the fan journey will be elevated across every touchpoint with industry-leading servicing and innovation at the heart of a redefined operation.
“This is a hugely exciting development for Sunderland AFC and our supporters,” said Chief Business Officer David Bruce. “Last summer, we reimagined our retail experience with a global leader and this partnership with Delaware North will now take our general admission and premium experiences to a new level. Partnering with Delaware North will enable us to offer world-class experiences that are built around the fan, with innovation and technology ensuring speed and service excellence. They place supporters and local culture at the heart of each of their bespoke offerings, making them a natural partner for our Club. We are truly thrilled to be collaborating with them and can’t wait for our fans to experience what is coming to the Stadium of Light.”
“We are honoured to partner with Sunderland AFC,” said Doug Tetley, Managing Director of Delaware North UK. “The Stadium of Light is a special place with a passionate fanbase, and we are excited to bring our global experience and innovation to this iconic venue. Our goal is to deliver memorable moments for every supporter who walks through the gates.”
As Sunderland AFC continues its journey on and off the field, this partnership with Delaware North will continue to elevate all experiences at the Stadium of Light, as the Club continues to strive to place supporters at the heart of the action.
Stay tuned to the Club’s digital platforms for more exciting updates ahead of the 2025-26 season.