Sunderland Faces York City in Pre-season Friendly

Match Details

Saturday, 18 May 2026 kicks off at 15:00 at the LNER Community Stadium. The fixture is a sell‑out, with all tickets already snapped up. Fans can watch the full match live on safc.com, while BBC Radio Newcastle will carry commentary (not streamed online).

Pre-season Context

After years of opening the campaign with double‑headers against South Shields and Gateshead, the club is heading further north this summer, visiting newly‑promoted York City. The visit marks a celebration for York, whose return to the Football League ends a long spell in non‑league football. The friendly is positioned as a fitness test and a chance for players who missed the World Cup to stake a claim for a starting spot.

Fans have been waiting five weeks for competitive action, another ten days until the summer transfer window closes. While the World Cup provides plenty of entertainment, the buzz of freshly cut grass and the prospect of early‑season matches are filling the void. There’s a week between this game and the start of the US tour, with Nashville awaiting a clash against Liverpool.

Head‑to‑Head Overview

Official records show no meetings between Sunderland and York City beyond the 1998 League Cup tie. The only competitive encounter remains that single fixture, leaving the current match as a fresh chapter in their rivalry.

Last Meeting: 1998 League Cup

The clubs last faced each other on Tuesday, 11 August 1998, in the first round of the League Cup. York City hosted Sunderland and lost 2‑0, with Dichio netting in the 14th and 29th minutes. The crowd recorded 6,277 spectators.

That day, Sunderland fielded a line‑up that included goalkeeper Sorensen, defenders Gray, Craddock and Melville, midfielders Scott, Summerbee (substituted by Wainwright), Williams and Ball (replaced by Mullin), with Johnston and Dichio up front alongside Phillips. Unused subs were Butler, Harrison and Bridges. York’s team featured Warrington in goal, back four of McMillan, Hall, Tinkler and Jones, midfield trio Thompson, Connelly and Pouton, and forwards Cresswell, Rowe and Garratt (substituted by Prendergast). The unused substitutes were Nurse, Rennison, Reed and Woods.

This friendly serves as a final tune‑up before the squad heads to the United States, giving the management a clearer view of who is ready for the upcoming season.

The match caps off a weekend of anticipation, giving fans a preview of what’s to come as the squad prepares for the domestic campaign and an overseas tour.