Sunderland fans unveiled a superb flag and mosaic display at the Stadium of Light before the Coventry City game with the scenes broadcast to the world on Sky Sports.
Over 40,000 fans were in attendance to cheer the Wearsiders on for their first Championship game in over 1,500 days.
To mark the occasion, supporter group The Spirit of ‘37 organised a huge surfer flag in the Roker End alongside a full-stadium red and white mosaic to greet the players ahead of the clash against Coventry.
The display followed similar in last season’s play-off semi-final second leg against Sheffield Wednesday but where does the Stadium of Light’s atmosphere rank when compared to Sunderland’s Championship rivals?
FootballGroundMap.com has compiled an overall rating of each stadium based on thousands upon thousands of fans’ vote – which included location, view, food, facilities and atmosphere.
1. Wigan Athletic (24th)
The atmosphere at Wigan Athletic's DW Stadium was rated at 2 stars by thousands of fans voting on footballgroundmap.com Photo: Charlotte Tattersall
2. Blackpool (23rd)
The atmosphere at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road was rated at 2.5 stars by thousands of fans voting on footballgroundmap.com Photo: Lewis Storey
3. Coventry City (22nd)
The atmosphere at Coventry City was rated at 2.5 stars by thousands of fans voting on footballgroundmap.com Photo: Nathan Stirk
4. Reading (21st)
The atmosphere at Reading was rated at 2.5 stars by thousands of fans voting on footballgroundmap.com Photo: Alex Burstow