The Black Cats return to the field in the United States for a second friendly on the club's 2026 pre-season tour when they take on Leeds United at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey on Friday, 31 July. Kick-off is scheduled for 00:30 BST.
How to follow the match
Supporters in Sunderland and across the UK who cannot attend in person can watch full live coverage via the club's official site. Radio listeners should note that BBC Radio Newcastle will provide full live commentary, though that service is not available online.
- TV/Stream: Full live match coverage via safc.com
- Radio: Full live match commentary via BBC Radio Newcastle (not online)
- Live updates: Follow detailed minute-by-minute coverage from the Roker Report on Twitter and post-match player ratings at rokerreport.sbnation.com
Tour context and local impact
The fixture is the club's third friendly in pre-season and the second on American soil, following a previous match in Nashville against Liverpool. While the results of these encounters are secondary to fitness and squad preparation, the tour serves other practical purposes: giving managers a chance to assess minutes across the squad, and raising the club's profile among an expanding international fanbase.
Those attending organised events during the tour have reported a lively atmosphere, with former players present and travelling supporters taking part in local gatherings. The prominence of these fixtures is underlined by the way bars and venues abroad make arrangements to screen Sunderland's matches for travelling fans.
"It’s probably a good question if you ask why, but these games and tours help to raise a club’s profile."
On the pitch, supporters should expect split squads and careful rotation; pre-season friendlies are designed to build match fitness rather than to reflect the final competitive XI. Nevertheless, these matches often offer hints about player roles and the manager's tactical thinking as the 2026–27 season approaches.
| Fixture | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday 31 July 2026 |
| Kick-off | 00:30 BST |
| Venue | Sports Illustrated Stadium, New Jersey |
| TV/Stream | safc.com |
| Radio | BBC Radio Newcastle (not online) |
For Sunderland fans at home, the key practical steps are simple: tune into the club stream for full coverage, or listen via BBC Radio Newcastle where available. For those following social channels, the Roker Report will provide commentary and post-match analysis including player ratings.
As the party atmosphere around the tour continues, the results remain secondary to the broader aims of preparation and profile-building. Still, each friendly gives the manager an opportunity to shape the squad ahead of competitive fixtures and for supporters to spot emerging patterns as the new season draws near.
