Championship football returned to the Stadium of Light at the weekend when the Black Cats hosted Paul Ince’s Reading.
A late Patrick Roberts goal sealed the three points for the hosts as they moved themselves up into the play-off picture.
If Sunderland are to make good on their play-off promise, then they will hope to make the Stadium of Light a fortress between now and the end of the season.
Here, using data provided by Transfermarkt, we take a look at the top league attendances in England so far this season to see where Sunderland rank.
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![This is where Sunderland's attendances this season rank across the country (Picture by FRANK REID)](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjIwZmEyZWFlLTU0ZmEtNDJiMy1hMmQxLTRhNDczZmQyNDk4ZTpkNTE1MGZjNS03NDBmLTRlODctYmJkYi0zNjIwMjhiY2NiMWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Sunderland fans
This is where Sunderland's attendances this season rank across the country (Picture by FRANK REID) Photo: Frank Reid
![Average league attendance at the Riverside this season = 25,102](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjliOWU2MGNiLWJhMWItNDQ3My04M2M4LWY2NmFmMGQ4N2U3Yjo5Mjg0NzkwOC0wNmU4LTQ4NWQtOTI3OC1lNjUwMGJjN2M4ZTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Middlesbrough
Average league attendance at the Riverside this season = 25,102 Photo: George Wood
![Average league attendance at Portman Road this season = 25,935](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ5NzI1YzRkLWVhZDUtNDUxMC04Njg0LWUzYzNiMDM1NDhmZjpiYjI0ODM1My01YTM3LTRkMmMtODc3Ny1iYTkxZjdlZGM0NTA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Ipswich Town
Average league attendance at Portman Road this season = 25,935 Photo: Stephen Pond
![Average league attendance at Carrow Road this season = 26,785](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjViZTNkNzIxLWUyYmYtNDhlZi05Mjc1LTkxNDMxMjY0MWIwYjoxMTdlNTFmNi03MzI2LTQyZDgtOWRiYi04OTkwOTUxZTMwNTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Norwich City
Average league attendance at Carrow Road this season = 26,785 Photo: Stephen Pond