EXCITEMENT is building ahead of the arrival of a global music megastar in the North-East next week.

Beyoncé, one of the world’s most famous singers, is starting the European leg of her Formation world tour at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

Over 50,000 fans from across the country are expected on Wearside for the American songstress’s sell-out gig on Tuesday.

The concert involves the biggest production ever seen at the Stadium of Light and the club has said people can expect a spectacular show from the music idol.

Sunderland AFC’s commercial director, Gary Hutchinson said: “Preparing the stadium for a concert is a huge task and our team is working hard to ensure that we will be in a fantastic shape for the show.

“There is a tremendous amount of planning goes into a major event such as this, from safety, facilities, catering and of course with our partners across the region such as the city council, police and transport agencies and we are all looking forward to what is set to be a spectacular show.”

Over 100 trucks will be bringing in the vast amount of equipment needed for the extravaganza and the stage build will take almost a week to complete.

The concert promoter and hundreds of set-up crew moved on-site over the weekend to begin the huge task of preparing the stadium.

The vast infrastructure required to host the show is being installed and crowd barriers, handrails, LED boards and advertising hoardings have already been removed from around the playing field and a special surface is being laid which covers the entire pitch.

An external courtyard area, designed to house pre-show entertainment, food courts and bars, is also set to be constructed, giving concert-goers an ideal area to meet pre-show.

Over 2,000 staff will be on duty throughout the stadium to facilitate a mammoth operation, which includes an extensive range of food and beverage options available on the day, including pizza, street food marquees, and gin bars.

David Moses, general manager, catering and events, at Sunderland AFC, said: “Every concert we host at the Stadium of Light provides a different crowd dynamic and with the arrival of Beyoncé, we have developed a variety of catering options for fans to enjoy on the day.

“This ranges from a street food marquee which will serve up Texan and American grill dishes such as pulled pork nachos and churros and chocolate sauce, to a unique gin bar.

“We have gathered a vast amount of experience over the years in dealing with large scale catering operations and we are relishing welcoming fans from across the UK and further afield for the opening night of Beyoncé’s European tour.”

Stadium courtyards open from 2pm and people are being advised to plan their journeys well in advance.

Councillor John Kelly, of Sunderland City Council, said: “As always we want everyone to enjoy their visit and the occasion.

“The city centre has lots to offer with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants all open, so why not arrive early, enjoy some time in the city and then walk over to the stadium.

“Our advice to concert-goers is always to plan your journey well in advance. Travelling by public transport can avoid the stress of driving, but if you are using the car please plan your route and remember that you can’t park or pick up at the stadium as the surrounding roads will be closed for the event.”
 

KEY EVENT TIMINGS (may be subject to change on the day):

7am Road closures around stadium site in place

2pm External courtyards open

4pm Stadium doors open for hospitality guests and early entry ticket holders

4.30pm Main stadium doors open

7pm Support show on stage

8pm Beyoncé on stage

10.15pm Show closes
 

GETTING THERE

By Road:

North: From the A19 and follow signs for A1231 Sunderland, then yellow signs for Park & Walk

Alternatively, from the A19 follow signs for A184 Sunderland (North), then either; Roker Seafront or City Centre and use car parks

South: From the A19 follow signs for A1018 Sunderland, then signs for City Centre and use City Centre Car Parks

From the A1(M) follow signs for A690 Sunderland, then signs for City Centre and use City Centre Car Parks

West: From the A183 follow signs for Sunderland, then signs for City Centre and use City Centre Car Parks

From the A690 follow signs for Sunderland, then signs for City Centre and use City Centre Car Parks

From A1231 follow signs for Sunderland, then yellow signs for Park & Walk

Parking is also available St Peter’s Campus (15min Walk) and seafront car parks (20min walk) which are signposted via the main roads.
 

PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF POINTS

Roads immediately surrounding the stadium will be closed to all traffic on the day and there are no vehicle pick up or drop off areas on, or near to the site.

Vehicles from the south are advised to take the A1018 and A690 exits from the A19 and drop visitors off in the city centre, with the Stadium of Light just a five-minute walk away.

Vehicles from the north and west are advised to use Sunderland Enterprise Park – accessible via the A1231 Wessington Way, which is also the event’s main Park and Walk site.
 

PARKING

There is no public parking available on the stadium complex, with parking immediately around the Stadium of Light also extremely restricted. Residential streets in the vicinity of the Stadium of Light are also subject to Parking Permit restrictions.

Sunderland City Council has a number of car parks in operation across the city, with spaces available at sites including St Mary’s (open until Midnight) and Sunniside (open 24 hours) secure car parks.

In order to decrease congestion in car parks following the concert, pre-paid parking will be available at St Mary’s and Sunniside car parks. To take up this offer, drivers should collect a ticket from the barrier, park their vehicle and take the ticket the car park’s main office to purchase the period of parking they require. Normal charges will apply and tickets will only be valid for the period purchased.

Prices for St Mary's are £1.30 per hour (8am - 6pm) and 70p per hour thereafter, and for Sunniside are £1.10 per hour (8am - 6pm) and 70p per hour thereafter. The concert is expected to end by 10.30pm, and visitors are reminded to purchase enough parking time to cover their stay.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Metro trains run regularly with passengers advised to plan their journey in advance, leave extra time and check on-line for the latest updates at www.nexus.org.uk.

There will be a Metro train every 12 minutes during the day between Newcastle and Sunderland with increased frequency in services after 4pm and continuing after the event to make sure large crowds can get away from the venue safely.

Passengers can get off and on the Metro at either the Stadium of Light or St Peter's stations before and after the concert, which are both within easy walking distance of the stadium.

Go North East is providing enhanced bus services around the Stadium of Light and to areas including South Shields after the match www.simplygo.com/safcconcerts.

Full advice is on the travel information website www.nexus.org.uk and through North East Travel-line on 0871 200 22 33.

There will be full advice for passengers on the travel information website www.nexus.org.uk and through North East Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.