On Saturday, Newcastle United will meet Sunderland in the first Wear-Tyne derby in nearly eight years.
Newcastle United have issued official instructions for fans traveling to the Stadium of Light on Saturday. 6,000 Newcastle fans will make the journey from St James’ Park to the Stadium of Light for the 12.45pm kickoff.
The club was able to secure a large number of visiting fans by making the game a bubble game, in which Newcastle fans had to travel to Wearside on busses provided by the club. Fans attending the game will not be given their match ticket until they depart the bus at the Stadium of Light – and will not be permitted onto the bus unless they have received their bus ticket in the mail.
Newcastle fans must travel to St James’ Park and then take busses to Wearside. Supporters have been instructed to line up in the tunnel beneath the Milburn Stand, which will wrap around the back of the Gallowgate.
Every fan is required to arrive at St James’ Park by 10:45 a.m., however fans have been advised that they can arrive earlier than the time window specified on their bus ticket. Match tickets will be distributed only after exiting the bus at the Stadium of Light, thus supporters who want to sit close to each other for the game must travel on the same bus.
The Stadium of Light will sell drink and confectionary, however alcohol will not be permitted on buses traveling to Wearside. Newcastle fans will also be kept at the stadium for a short time after the game to let crowds disperse, but food, drink, and restroom facilities will remain open during this time. Supporters will then board busses and be taken back to St James’ Park.
Newcastle United have not won an FA Cup game under Eddie Howe and have been defeated twice in the competition by lower league opposition. Sunderland have not beaten the Magpies since Ryan Taylor’s free-kick secured them a 1-0 win on Wearside in August 2011.
