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Sunderland AFC crest

Should I support

Sunderland AFC?

Traditional giants, reborn through the lower leagues: 7th place and Europa League in their first year back.

Founded
1879
Ground
Stadium of Light
Manager
Régis Le Bris

Last updated November 11, 2026. Managers come and go; we keep this current.

Honors and legacy

A traditional giant of English soccer, Sunderland have won:
  • 6 League Titles
  • 2 FA Cups
  • Historic reputation for huge support and community identity

Sunderland were once one of England's most successful clubs, with their early 20th-century sides especially dominant. The club shares a massive rivalry with neighboring Newcastle United.

Recent history

The last decade was turbulent: relegation from the Premier League, then straight through the Championship into League One. Their resurgence through the lower leagues, documented in the hit series Sunderland 'Til I Die, rebuilt global interest in the club. They returned to the Premier League in 2025 via the playoffs, then stunned everyone in their first season back: a 7th-place finish under Régis Le Bris and qualification for the Europa League: their first European football since 1973-74, and one of the best debut seasons by a promoted club in Premier League history.

Greatest ever player

  • Charlie Hurley: voted "Sunderland's Player of the Century."
  • Kevin Phillips: Premier League Golden Boot winner (1999-2000).
  • Niall Quinn: fan favorite and club saviour as both player and chairman.

The US sports doppelganger

Detroit Lions. Passionate supporters, emotional highs and lows, and a historic rebirth unfolding.

Most famous moment: FA Cup Win (1973)

Sunderland, a second-division team at the time, upset Leeds United in one of the biggest shocks in English soccer history.

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Where can I watch Sunderland AFC in the US?

NBC has every Premier League game in the US, split across NBC, USA Network and Peacock, with some in Spanish on Telemundo. Peacock carries the most games, but USA Network games need a cable or live-TV login.

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