Introduction
Professional Sport in the North East of England p lays an important role in our Northern culture, and many people make an emotional investment in their favourite spectator sports.
The most popular sport is football, our region is home to three teams: Sunderland Football Club who play at the Stadium of Light with a maximum capacity of 49,000, Newcastle United who play at St James Park with a maximum capacity of 52,387 and Middleborough Football Club who play at the Riverside Stadium with a maximum capacity of 35,100.
There are also professional leagues in rugby, basketball and ice hockey with small but loyal fanbases.
