Excitement is building as Beyoncé will set to play to thousands of adoring fans on Tuesday night at a packed-out Stadium of Light.

Queen Bey herself is visiting the North East for one night only on her Renaissance tour as one of eight UK dates.

Concertgoers have been encouraged to arrive early and plan their journeys to avoid long queues.

Read more: Beyonce fans hail ‘true class act’ as singer dazzles through Edinburgh rain

She follows in the footsteps of Ed Sheeran and Elton John who both played to sell-out crowds in Sunderland last summer. Pink will play two nights at the Stadium of Light next month.

She previously played in Sunderland back in 2016 on her Formation tour. 

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the show:

What are the timings for the gig?

Gates to the stadium are expected to open at approximately 4pm with Beyoncé due to come on stage sometime around 8pm-8.30pm, based on pervious shows.

The gig is expected to be finished by 11pm.

Who is supporting Beyoncé?

There will be no support act for the concert.

Can I take a bag into the stadium?

Organisers have said that all items and bags carried by attendees will be inspected upon entry and bags cannot be larger than a sheet of A4 paper.

Can I take my own food and drink into the stadium?

Concertgoers are not permitted to bring their own food and drink into the stadium.

According to event organisers there will be an extensive range of food and drink available to purchase in the courtyard and stadium.

To get more stories direct to your email basket go here 

Is there more public transport running?

Extra bus and Metro services will be running before and after the gig.

Concertgoers with purple, red or yellow entry tickets should travel to Stadium of Light Metro station.  Those with blue, orange, platinum, green or pink entry tickets are best travelling to St Peter's Metro station.

Those using the Metro are advised to leave plenty of time to get to Sunderland before the concert, and to use St Peter’s or Stadium of Light Metro stations afterwards, where extra staff and queue management will be in place.

Sunderland and Park Lane stations will be closed from 10pm.

Trains will be running later than normal to assist passengers getting home.

The Northern Echo: Beyoncé performing at the Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Saturday (May 20) to 50,000 fans.Beyoncé performing at the Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Saturday (May 20) to 50,000 fans. (Image: PA)

Are there any road closures?

Roads surrounding the venue will be closed with no pick up and drop off areas immediately outside the stadium.

Drivers travelling from the south to use the A1018 and A690 exits from the A19 and drop people off in the city centre or at Dame Dorothy Street, with the Stadium of Light a short walk away.

Keir Hardie Way will be closing meaning vehicles from the north and west are advised to use the park and walk site at Sunderland Enterprise Park via the A1231 Wessington Way.

Where can I park?

There will be no parking available on the stadium grounds and drivers have been reminded that residential streets around the stadium are restricted with residential parking permits.

Council-run car parks are available with the new Riverside Multi-Storey on Trimdon Street bookable for a £7 fee, although drivers will not be able to pay for parking there on the day.

There are also several privately run car parks all within walking distance.


Read next:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus digital subscription from as little as only £1.50 a week. Click here


What is the setlist?

Beyoncé is expected to play some of her biggest hits with a packed setlist. She is expected to start with Dangerously in Love 2 and close the show with Summer Renaissance.

Other songs on the show include classics like Run the World (Girls) and newer additions to her repertoire including Break My Soul.

What will the weather be like?

According to the Met Office temperatures will reach highs of 15C and lows of 10C on Tuesday.

Forecasters predict it will be 13C (feels like 12C) at 8pm when Beyoncé is expected to come on stage with less than a 5% chance of rain throughout the show, so concertgoers will hopefully be able to ditch the waterproofs.