Soccer followers are accustomed to going the additional mile to observe their crew – however solely at Newcastle United and Sunderland does that turn into actuality.
The stroll as much as the away finish at each grounds have gained their very own folklore, with followers climbing dozens of steps to achieve their seats.
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However below the Premier League’s guidelines, neither part must be the one space allotted to away followers.
Earlier than the 2017-18 season, golf equipment agreed to make sure that no less than one block of seating for visiting supporters could be pitchside in an try to enhance atmospheres.
On the time, former Premier League govt chairman Richard Scudamore mentioned: “When an away objective is scored, you need that ambiance and interplay between the 2 units of followers.”
Nonetheless, Newcastle got particular dispensation to be excluded from the rule after they have been promoted again to the top-flight in 2017. This was prolonged for an additional 12 months through the 2018-19 marketing campaign and has continued ever since.
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Sunderland are taking part in of their first season again within the Premier League because the rule was launched and regardless of having a one-year grace interval, the membership has been permitted to retain their present association once more for the 2026-27 season.
West Ham additionally seat followers behind the London Stadium, however there’s a part reserved for supporters pitchside.
Any future determination to maneuver away sections must be accredited by the person native authorities and the Premier League.
Why have not Newcastle and Sunderland moved their away ends?
The away part at St James’ Park gives a spectacular view of town after climbing 140 steps and 14 flights of stairs [BBC Sport]
Implementation would give each golf equipment a logistical headache, with doubtlessly round 3,000 season ticket holders needing to be uprooted at every membership to create the brand new away areas.
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Each groups already cater for supporters with disabilities, with elevate entry obtainable at each stadiums. There are additionally new safe-standing amenities for guests inside each grounds.
Supporters travelling to the Stadium of Gentle have been housed within the South Stand till the beginning of the 2011-12 season. However the membership moved the away part with a view to enhancing the ambiance contained in the stadium.
A Newcastle Metropolis Council spokesperson mentioned the council has maintained the present association for visiting supporters to prioritise security, with away followers being segregated as they exit the bottom by way of a parking lot.
“The choice was taken by the membership so as to guarantee all followers can enter and exit the bottom safely,” they mentioned.
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“The choice taken a lot of years in the past, was supported by the native authority and the blue mild companies as a part of the Security Advisory Group. It was accepted by the Premier League.”
Following their play-off last victory in 2025, Sunderland Metropolis Council sat with the Security Advisory Group and agreed to keep up the situation of away supporters.
A spokesperson mentioned: “The historic location offered important advantages when it comes to security, segregation, match day operations, emergency planning, the stadium infrastructure and design, together with supporter expertise.”
After guaranteeing their place within the top-flight, the Premier League accredited Sunderland’s request for away supporters to stay within the North Stand Higher for 2026-27.
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The membership mentioned the approval has been granted as a one-season dispensation whereas the Premier League continues to assessment and assess the membership’s case for everlasting exemption.
Stadium of Gentle officers additionally take steps to prioritise security, with guests banned from bringing cash, vapes and energy banks into the bottom for concern of house followers being struck by falling projectiles.
Nonetheless, it has been advised by some that the exemption offers each golf equipment a bonus, with away followers set far again from the pitch, making it more durable for supporters to make their voices heard.
With the rule solely making use of to league matches, golf equipment can home away followers away from pitchside within the FA Cup or the Carabao Cup. Manchester Metropolis hand all the third tier of the south stand to visiting followers, for instance.
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In the meantime, throughout Europe’s prime leagues it isn’t unusual for travelling supporters to be housed distant from the motion – Actual Madrid’s Bernabeu and the San Siro in Milan are high-profile examples.
What might occur subsequent?
Away supporters are positioned within the higher tier within the stand behind the objective [Getty Images]
Newcastle’s hierarchy is at the moment exploring choices round a brand new stadium and any future plans would naturally embody cautious consideration of which areas to make obtainable to visiting followers.
In April 2025, Sunderland’s membership’s chief enterprise officer mentioned they’d begin a session course of with supporters, however admitted it might trigger dissatisfaction if long-standing season ticket holders have been moved.
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May different groups observe go well with? It has been mentioned.
In 2022, Brighton chief govt Paul Barber mentioned he was exploring shifting their away part, which is at the moment located behind a objective.
“We’re additionally not able the place we will put away followers within the gods as a result of you may’t have away followers above house followers,” he mentioned. “Newcastle get away with it, I do not know tips on how to be trustworthy, I might need a phrase with (ex-Newcastle sporting director) Dan Ashworth to see if he can type it.
“However we’re taking a look at it and with the goodwill of our head of security and safety and assist companies, we are going to see what we will do.”
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