Nearly 600 Sunderland AFC fans book tickets for sold-out Wear-Tyne derby fanzone at The Fire Station
Nearly 600 Sunderland supporters will watch the Wear-Tyne derby at a sold-out fanzone at the city’s Fire Station next month.
The award-winning venue at the heart of Sunderland’s cultural quarter will host the special event on March 22 when the Black Cats face Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Andrew Dipper, marketing and sales director at the Culture Quarter, said tickets sold out within 72 hours and the venue had to add additional table seating to meet demand.
A total of 587 supporters will come together for derby day at The Fire Station, the first time the venue has hosted the event.
There will be a full pre-match party featuring special guests Danny Collins and Lee Howey as well as podcast favourites Wise Men Say and WTF Podcast, starting from 10am.
He said: “The Fire Station is going to be rocking on March 22 as we turn our venue into a Tyne Wear Derby fanzone for the first time.
“It's been great working with Gareth Barker, Richard Easterbrook, Graham Falk, Sophie Bellwood, Ross Black and our team at The Fire Station to shape up the day - which includes Wise Men Say and WTF Sunderland Podcasts hosting our pre-match party and special guests Danny Collins and Lee Howey.
“We don't do events like this often as our bread and butter is live music and performance, but when we do the feedback from customers is always positive.
“Tickets sold out within 72 hours, and we had to add additional table seating to meet demand.
“We're really looking forward to entertaining 587 Sunderland fans and hopefully we can bring a new experience to the city on derby day.”