The first Tyne-Wear derby of the season has been confirmed for Sunday, December 6, with Newcastle United announcing that away fans will be bussed in from Wearside under a 'bubble fixture' arrangement. Sunderland supporters group the Red and White Army have slammed the decision, branding it an 'absolute disgrace' in a joint statement with the SAFC Branch Liaison Council.
Bubble fixture details confirmed
A Newcastle United statement on Monday confirmed that the 2,200 away fans attending the fixture will only be permitted to travel by official transport services from the Stadium of Light. This marks a departure from last season's arrangements, when Sunderland fans were allowed to travel by train and walk to St James' Park from Central Station, with a couple of isolated incidents between rival sets of fans reported.
The statement read: "Sunderland supporters attending the Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park on Sunday, December 6, 2026 will be required to travel to and from Wearside on official club coaches following a recommendation by the stadium’s independent Safety Advisory Group (SAG).
"The recommendation follows advice from Northumbria Police to the SAG, which is chaired by Newcastle City Council as the Certifying Authority for St. James’ Park.
"Both clubs were invited to attend a recent SAG meeting to hear submissions made by Northumbria Police, and senior Newcastle United staff have since met with senior officers from the force to better understand the reasons behind the recommendation.
"We know that the vast majority of fans from both clubs are impeccably behaved and add a great deal to the occasion, and we also acknowledge that this step has been taken as an additional measure to ensure the safety of all supporters, staff, the authorities and the wider public.
"We will now work closely with Sunderland AFC, Northumbria Police, Newcastle City Council and partner agencies to accommodate this recommendation and to ensure the match is a safe experience for everyone who attends. Further details on tickets will be shared by both clubs in due course.
"This recommendation does not impact away supporter travel for the return fixture at the Stadium of Light in May 2027, and any relevant recommendations will be made by the local Safety Advisory Group closer to that time."
Supporters group responds
However, the decision has not gone down well with Sunderland supporters. In a joint statement with the SAFC Branch Liaison Council, the Red and White Army branded the decision an 'absolute disgrace'.
"This decision to enforce a 'bubble trip' arrangement onto the upcoming derby match is an absolute disgrace," the statement said. "The decision has been made behind closed doors, with no transparency and no consultation with fans. The Red & White Army Supporters Trust and Branch Liaison Council (BLC) are fundamentally opposed to this.
"Recent fixtures at both St James' Park and the Stadium of Light were delivered successfully, with Northumbria Police confirming that operations passed 'largely without incident' and praising the conduct of the overwhelming majority of supporters. Therefore, the decision to designate this season's fixture as a 'bubble match' raises important questions that must be answered.
"Given that recent fixtures have been safely and successfully managed, authorities must explain and provide evidence as to why these draconian restrictions have been introduced this season.
"The overwhelming majority of fans attending this fixture, and football matches in general, are law-abiding people whose only aim is to watch a football match and support their club. Measures introduced to address the actions of a tiny minority should not penalise the thousands of fans who have committed no crimes and who consistently behave responsibly.
"We therefore call on the SAG, Northumbria Police and NUFC to provide greater transparency around the rationale for these arrangements and to engage meaningfully with supporter representatives. This decision must be reversed."
Call for transparency
The Red & White Army Supporters Trust and BLC stated they fully support proportionate measures to ensure the safety of supporters, staff, police officers and the wider public. They added: "This fixture is a showcase for the passion and rivalry that makes North East football special and it should be managed appropriately. This is not it."
