About the Project
Few stadiums in the UK command the presence of Sunderland A.F.C.’s Stadium of Light. With a seating capacity that ranks among the top 10 in the country and global recognition bolstered by the Netflix documentary Sunderland ‘Til I Die, the venue is more than a football ground. It’s a cultural landmark in the northeast of England, drawing thousands of fans and hosting high-profile concerts and events in addition to matches.
At the Stadium of Light, sound isn’t just background noise—it’s a catalyst. For players and fans alike, it sets the tone, builds anticipation, and drives emotion. But for years, the stadium’s PA system wasn’t living up to the venue’s legendary energy.
“The old system was 27 years old, and started to fail in terms of audibility and structural integrity,” said Chris Ferguson, Head of Facilities at Sunderland A.F.C. “We knew we needed a replacement that wasn’t just a short-term fix—we needed something that would last well into the future.”
With match days, concerts, and a life safety system all relying on the same infrastructure, the stakes were high. The challenge wasn’t just coverage—it was creating an immersive environment that could elevate the energy from the pitch to the stands.
The Bose Professional Solution
Enter Bose Professional. The relationship began in November 2022, when Business Development Manager JJ Barnett connected with the stadium’s facilities team. “Stadium of Light is an iconic venue, and from the very first meeting, it was clear they had a strong vision for what they wanted,” said Barnett. “We knew we had the perfect solution to bring it to life.”
Together with integrator Solotech, Bose Professional worked closely with Sunderland A.F.C. to design a bespoke system that met performance, safety, and fan experience goals. Multiple site visits and consultations helped refine the approach and build trust.
“We considered a number of other manufacturers,” said Ferguson, “and we just kept coming back to Bose Professional.”
“The Bose Professional team was brilliant from the start,” he continued. “We struck up a great partnership, and the solution they came back with ticked every box.”
Adding to the complexity, each stand in the stadium presented unique architectural quirks, from wide-open expanses to tight, narrow corners, all constrained by roof weight limits. “Each stand is slightly different, and that meant a detailed design process,” said Ben Green, Integration Project Manager at Solotech. “Using Bose Professional Modeler software, we could mix and match the right components to get both high-level performance and the coverage we needed.”
At the heart of the system is the ArenaMatch line array loudspeaker system, featuring AM10, AM20, and AM40 modules selected for their varied vertical dispersion angles. The AM10’s narrow 10-degree spread tackled tricky corners, while the AM40’s wider 40-degree dispersion blanketed the sprawling stands. Customizable horizontal waveguides allowed precise coverage so sound would reach every seat without overwhelming the space.
“One of the key ArenaMatch features is the ability to change waveguides to suit the unique shape of each stand,” said Andrew Horsburgh, Regional Sales Engineer at Bose Professional. “It let us get right into the back rows and corners, areas that are often difficult in stadiums like this.”
Powering the system are PowerShareX amplifiers, known for their versatility and output. Each amplifier channel drives a single loudspeaker, creating redundancy and ensuring voice alarm capability as part of the stadium’s life safety infrastructure. “It’s a highly technical setup,” said Green, “but one that delivers on both intelligibility and musicality—just what you’d want from a modern stadium.”
The tight offseason timeline demanded flawless execution. “Bose Professional was very good at getting product to us when we needed it,” said Green. Executing a large-scale installation in a working stadium is never easy, especially with seasonal scheduling and tight timeframes. But Ferguson credits the seamless collaboration between Sunderland A.F.C., Bose Professional, and Solotech for the smooth rollout. “The pricing was clear and transparent, the partnership was strong, and the integrator was fantastic,” said Ferguson. “Between the three of us, it was a great team.”
Technical support from Bose Professional was a standout as well. “We have a lot of experience with stadium builds, but there are always things only the manufacturer knows,” said Green. “Their team double-checked our work on-site and provided insights that helped us deliver a top-tier system.”
When fans returned for the new season, the impact was immediate.
“The most pleasing thing has been the fan response,” said Ferguson. “From the very first game, people commented on how different the stadium felt. Our fan engagement team was able to build up an absolutely amazing atmosphere pregame using the system.”
“The energy was electric, and it showed on the pitch,” he added. “The whole fan experience at Stadium of Light has gone to another level.”
“When Sunderland fans hear the new system, it makes me proud to know we played a part in that transformation.” said Green. “It really is a world-class audio system.”
The Stadium of Light now boasts a PA system as iconic as its name—a testament to Bose Professional’s innovation and Sunderland A.F.C.’s commitment to its fans. For a venue where sound fuels spirit, Bose Professional delivered a solution that resonates far beyond the stands.
